South-East London’s sonic auteur Sam Akpro is bracing for impact.
In the nocturnal creases of twilight, Sam Akpro’s creativity dawns. “A lot of the songs were written quite late at night. By the time the sun had gone down in winter and late summers,” he recalls about the making of his debut album, Evenfall, set to be shared on 28th March via revered imprint ANTI- Records. The process is no great surprise when you hear the pitch-black mediations and broody soundscapes of teaser singles like “Death By Entertainment”, and the title track, “Evenfall”. But for the 26 year-old, the darkness brings sanctuary; a haven to prowl through beneath the daylight’s hustle. “I like to think of it as peaceful darkness though,” he ponders. “Like the stillness and calm at night when everyone’s asleep.”
The album, aside from its daring encapsulation of tone, feels rooted in Sam’s upbringing in London’s South-East, the centre of his sonic universe. “To me, it’s comfortable, it’s home,” says the Peckhamite. His habitat’s influence stretches beyond the art itself too, propelling the rising star’s vision of success on a broader scale. “I feel like in my area, a lot of my school mates’ and my parents came to England seeking something better,” he says. “Personally, that has instilled a sense of determination in whatever I’m trying to achieve and that goes beyond creativity, it’s simply work ethic.”
Sam’s artistic journey began at the precipice of adulthood, developing “a real love for music” in his late teens. Now, two raw, sound-shaping EP’s (2021’s “Drift” and 2023’s “Arrival”) and a refined musical identity later, the crooner is “feeling good” about the release of his inaugural full-length project, which plays out as “an observation of moments and feelings that have taken place over the last three years of my life.” Yet Sam holds “minimal expectations as to how it may be received;” it is, after all, an escapade of creative cohesion and sonic ideology rather than a plea for plaudits. By some distance his broadest outing to date, the album is “my most complete piece of work,” he feels. “It was the right time to package my sound into one long listen, rather than lots of small bits over the last five years. I’ve definitely learnt a lot as a songwriter and producer…I feel my most mature.”
The rest of the year will see him develop his live show, as he hopes to take his new record on tour with his band. After that? Well, that’s less decided. One thing is sure though—Sam Akpro’s light will flicker on through the dark. “I never came into music with the intention to be part of a trend. For me it’s purely to satisfy my creative needs,” he muses conclusively. “So I think we will see where it takes me. I can’t be too sure what the future has in store. All I know is I will continue to make music because it’s what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.”
Snag your tickets for Sam Akpro’s upcoming show at London’s Moth Club on 24th April via this link.
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Photography by ARCHIE OLIVER
Styling by DARYON IMPEY
Words by BEN TIBBITS
Grooming by James Bickmore
Fashion Assistant Siham Noor
Special Thanks to Indra Studios