Samtar is an experimental solo artist from Wisconsin and has his second album (the follow up to 2019’s Plotting Against Reality) and is even more grandly titled, The Curse Of The Infinite Luminosity.
I tend to be wary of artists who term themselves ‘experimental’ as often it’s the last few letters that apply most! Here however we get an array of genres that don’t alienate…even if the odd hint of REM or Moby and electronica (I think it’s called) do rear their heads.
Take opener ‘End Of The World’ for example; it has REM, it has 80s pop but, vitally, it has a clever and listenable structure behind it all if you like that period. ‘Wizard of the Mountains’ is Animals in an operatic form with the House in New Orleans appearing in between tympanic background to the impassioned vocals. The title track is a true hybrid: subtle pop, minor chord prog and, near the end, a damn good electric guitar solo that may be a bit low in the mix, but is still well done.
‘Awake’ is a skipper for me with the electronic backing and only a nice guitar part to alleviate the rest. ‘Life Is A Party’ makes up for it with a Petty feel and a great guitar solo after an extended bridge. We also get funk and a tip of the hat maybe to Faith No More before we get the synth opening section of a proper slice of rock with the closing song, ‘Island of Eyes’. The riff and solo make this one stand out and more than welcome.
So not too experimental or revolutionary then…just some quality songs from an obviously capable musician. It’s not heavy or rock per se, but it is worth giving it a listen for the sounds Samtar weaves throughout his compositions.
 and is even more grandly titled, The Curse Of The Infinite Luminosity.){kind=link}