International Praise for 8 Ball
It’s been five months since the release of my debut full-length album, 8 Ball! Since then, we’ve had some incredible international love and mentions, from the likes of Billboard Magazine, SPIN Magazine, and Music Connection. Here are some excerpts:
“Sam Louis Channels His Y2K Youth on 8 Ball” - SPIN MAGAZINE
Toronto singer-songwriter Sam Louis’s first proper studio album, 8 Ball, is comprised of eight songs of eclectic alt-pop. The album title, however, also alludes to the Magic 8 Ball, that old novelty toy that’s been helping people answer yes-or-no questions for decades. Louis calls his debut for Shamus Records, a subsidiary of TRO Essex Music Group, a “concept album revolving around these manic questions that float around in all our psyches.”
Louis has referred to himself as “the loneliest boyband,” and the songs on 8 Ball often feature big, sticky melodies and falsetto choruses even when he’s pondering big, daunting questions. “Like a Drug” explores the complicated emotions of a codependent relationship that begins to resemble an addiction: “There’s no going back, you took everything from me / I wish that I had seen but we were young and so naïve.”
“These songs can be heavy, exploring themes of mental struggles and escapism,” Louis says. “So much of my previous music never showcased that side of living, mostly because I was scared. Afraid to speak about a darker, more emotional side and connect deeper with that in myself.”
“NEW MUSIC CRITIQUE: SAM LOUIS” - MUSIC CONNECTION
Canadian singer and songwriter Sam Louis describes himself as an “emotional curator.” That’s an interesting turn of phrase—to curate one’s emotions, presumably through the medium of song. But then, when you really drill down, we suppose that’s what all art is doing to some degree.
...He’s certainly much closer to the pop end of that spectrum than punk, with soulful artists such as Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars obvious references. Louis has the tunes and the voice, and the production here is exemplary.
“The pioneering music publisher launches new label Shamus Records” - BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
The lovely Kathryn Ostien, the founder of the label, Shamus Records did an interview with Billboard Magazine earlier this summer. As one of the first albums to be rolled out with Shamus, Kathryn mentions Sam Louis’s 8 Ball as the first.
“I don’t know if we really have a brand in mind with our roster, but we were thinking that we wanted to bring some newersounds to the catalog.
…However, looking at the 75th anniversary, we decided we wanted to breathe new life into it. We wanted to create these new covers, explore a new sound and see what we could do to reinvigorate it. While we were at it, we just thought, “OK, let’s see what else we can sign.” It’s an exciting time to celebrate this incredible history of the past 75 years and then look at the next 75 years with so much hope and excitement.”
Thank you!!! We can’t wait for more press love and new music… But in the meantime, continue streaming and sharing 8 Ball.