Samia – Cinder Block
Samia returns with “Cinder Block,” recorded a few months after her acclaimed album “Bloodless” wrapped sessions in Minneapolis. Working again with collaborator Caleb Wright, she’s created something that feels like an extension of that album.
Leonard Cohen’s influence runs deep here. Samia interpolates lines from “Suzanne” and “Hallelujah,” weaving them into her narrative about desire and longing. She references Cohen’s Theory of Forms mention in “Suzanne,” making it a recurring theme. Her line about Jack Sparrow’s compass pointing to what you want most ties the whole thing together.
The production stays minimal — gentle electric guitar anchors the track’s patient 3:42 runtime. Wright’s approach gives Samia’s vocals space to breathe, letting the Leonard Cohen quotes land with proper weight. It’s a wise choice that allows the literary references to feel natural.
Samia’s been riding viral momentum from her 2023 NPR Tiny Desk performance of “Pool,” which has exploded on TikTok recently with 10-15,000 new creations daily. “Cinder Block” arrives as she’s mid-tour, hitting both coasts before heading to the UK and eventually Coachella next spring.
The song works as both a standalone piece and a companion to “Bloodless.” Samia’s ability to blend personal poetry with classic songwriting references shows her growing confidence as a writer.
North America:
- Los Angeles, CA – Fonda (Sep 19)
- San Francisco, CA – Fillmore (Sep 20)
- Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (Sep 22)
- Vancouver, BC – Hollywood (Sep 23)
- Seattle, WA – Neptune (Sep 24)
- Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell (Sep 26)
- Denver, CO – Ogden (Sep 27)
- Omaha, NE – Waiting Room (Sep 29)
- St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall (Sep 30)
- Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl (Oct 1)
- Mexico City, MX – Corona Capital (Nov 14-16)
- Indio, CA – Coachella (Apr 12 & 19)
Europe:
- Glasgow, UK – G2 (Oct 26) SOLD OUT
- Manchester, UK – Yes (Pink Room) (Oct 27) SOLD OUT
- London, UK – KOKO (Oct 28)
