It would be insane for me to review this mixtape without recognizing how much I absolutely love Samson Oats’s music. I first discovered Samson Oats in 2025 when he and his band opened for Chloe Antoinette at a house-show in Riverside. I had a fun time listening to his live music, leading me to stream the mixtape he had just released on my own. Oh my god. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so quickly hooked on someone’s music before…so hooked that I think Samson Oats became the only artist I really listened to for the next few weeks. If you’re friends with me, there is at least a 75% chance that Samson Oats has come up in conversation and I’ve either recommended his music or yapped about going to various concerts to see him perform again. I think I’ve seen him live three times now (not including the Mini Femme Fest where he played with the band, Honk!), and if Qobuz tracked listening statistics, he would definitely be my top artist.
Reflecting on my introduction to Samson Oats for this review actually helped me remember that he was one of the main artists that got me invested into my local music scene. “MY THOUGHTS ON BREAKFAST” opened my eyes to the talent that has been going on right in front of me without me realizing, and pushed me to seek out other talented artists who are as criminally underrated as him. Furthermore, attending other shows for the reason of seeing Samson Oats perform led to exposure to other artists who are now in my regular rotation. It became one rapid spiral down the rabbit hole after first seeing him perform last October.
So yeah, I love “MY THOUGHTS ON BREAKFAST.” There are so many different aspects to appreciate, from the unique production to its gorgeous lyricism, and I hope that if you haven’t gotten the chance to listen to this project, you’ll check it out after reading this review.
Overall Look:
Even though it feels like a minor word choice to scrutinize, “MY THOUGHTS ON BREAKFAST” is a mixtape, rather than an album. All of these songs were released prior to its full collection later that year. I appreciate Samson Oats’s ability to turn a wide mix of songs that each achieves a unique sound into a cohesive collection that is so authentic to who Samson Oats is as an artist.
Each song is so professionally produced. I was so immediately taken aback when I first listened to it, largely because the production is so high-quality. Everything is perfectly mixed so that each instrument and individual part is perfectly balanced, allowing you to hear and appreciate everything that is being played. The mixtape traverses from indie rock to bedroom pop, making each song stand out from the last. I’m also a huge fan of the synthesizers that are used throughout the mixtape. They strongly complement Samson’s sound to create the energetic and fun vibe that pulls you into the music. Overall, the production allows the mixtape to have a unique artistic identity that makes the project feel so iconic. (To Samson Oat’s mixing engineer, Felice Janecke, you are actually so talented. I hope you are aware of your own skill and keep working with him, as well as on other musical endeavors.)
The other main thing I appreciate about the mixtape is how genuine it feels. His music is unapologetically him, and he’s unafraid to be vulnerable about the feelings we all try to push away, showcasing the wide emotional and artistic range that he is capable of.
If I were to offer any critical feedback or hopes for future projects, I would love more opportunities where Samson Oats isn’t afraid to show off his vocals. His voice is genuinely enjoyable to listen to, and moments where you can really appreciate it (like in IWWYLLWYFA, I’m not typing it out again you bastards) allow you to feel soothed and pulled deeper into the music. I hope he finds chances to show off his vocal skill in the future, because they are genuinely promising!
Standout Songs:
I WONDER WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU FALL ASLEEP
(Fine, you got me to type it out again!)
It’s no shocker that this is the first song I am discussing from this mixtape. It is currently Samson Oats’ most streamed song (according to Spotify) that has surpassed 50,000 streams. I can totally understand why.
“IWWYLLWYFA” depicts the singer navigating budding romantic feelings with another person at a house show, imagining moments of passion as they wait to confess this. The song switches up the upbeat pacing of the rest of the mixtape without actually being slow, giving greater attention to the vocals and lyrics that make this track stand out. It feels like taking a deep breath after going for a long run.
Oats’s songwriting skill shines brilliantly in this piece. He isn’t afraid to express his wishes for physical intimacy with another person, but is somehow able to achieve this by describing the moments that fall outside this affection.
There is something so sacred about the comfort and warmth that’s felt when you fall asleep with someone for the first time, and nothing more beautiful than seeing a person wake up. These are the most special moments in a romantic relationship that allow you to see a person in the most unfiltered way. It’s also healing to hear someone yearning for not just physical reasons, but for the “after” that follows.
I’m genuinely so touched by the thoughtfulness in this song, allowing physical intimacy to actually be intimate. If the concept of falling in love was transformed into a song, I would imagine it would become this track.
ROACHES
I think this is my overall favorite song of the mixtape! The lyrics paint a clear message that no person should have to feel small, worthless, or…well, like a roach. Every person deserves to feel in-control of their lives, and listening to this song when I’m low helps me feel in control of mine.
The developing build of the band’s instrumentation throughout the song and the straightforward lyrics make the song’s rejection of dehumanizing circumstances feel so powerful. The repeated phrase of “I’m a person too” is super effective in developing the song’s empowering message. Nothing more convoluted needs to be said; it’s the perfect phrase to remember that despite it all, you are human.
This song is my go-to whenever I want to remind myself that I deserve respect and happiness when I feel like I don’t. It’s a huge reason why I’ve survived recent periods of burn-out as it reminded me that I’m worth a lot more than my past mistakes or the bullshit bringing me down.
Personal Favorites:
HOME SAFE
Everytime I hear the synthesized notes starting off “HOME SAFE,” I feel a sense of excitement before the drums pick up, kicking this great song into action.
A huge reason why I love this song so much is purely because of the line: “How can I feel so insecure when all you ever do is love me?” The first time I heard it, I felt a sense of clarity that broke through layers of unshakeable insecurity. “HOME SAFE” is all about working through the worries we carry over losing someone we care about, and I usually feel reassured after listening to it.
Another random detail I also love is the background noise of Samson Oats crashing out in the background near the end of the song, further emphasizing the anxiety of wondering if your love is actually unrequited. It’s a really unique choice that succeeds in portraying how overwhelming these fears can be.
“HOME SAFE” is a perfect introduction to both the mixtape and Samson Oats’s musical capabilities.
CAGE-FREE EGGS
As a recovering loser, I find solace in “CAGE-FREE EGGS.”
On a technical level, this song is super impressive. Samson Oats’s normally clear voice is altered by slight vocal distortion that adds a layer of grunge to the audacious guitar riffs and bold production that is the backbone of this track.
In complete honesty, I struggle in general with understanding lyrics without them being written out in front of me, so it took some time to understand what was exactly being said in the song with the distorted vocals. However, relistening to the song allowed to pick out its bold lyrics of self-loathing. My favorite lines include "I'm changing my name, I'm stuck in my ways," "You don't have to know me for you to tell I'm not okay," and the bold declaration "I'm such a parasite."
It’s important to recognize when we make choices that are pathetic or do things that make us feel like (and even be) losers. Men especially need that self-awareness. This song is refreshingly honest, and allows me to revel in self-depreciation when I deserve it.
Final Thoughts:
Samson Oats is undeniably an artist to keep your eye on. In addition to his iconic solo projects, Samson Oats is also a member of the bands Delfino and Honk! (and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s other projects that I’m unaware of due to his widespread involvement in the SoCal music scene). I am so impressed by Samson Oats, and I’m really looking forward to what he’ll pursue in the future.
How to Support Samson Oats:
I’m linking the linktree found on Samson Oats’s social media! If you don’t want to go through linktree, you can find him as @samsonoats on Instagram and TikTok, and searching his name will bring up his music on YouTube and your streaming service of choice.
Samson Oats just released a STUNNING song with Alex Andre and Mahealane, called “WHATEVER YOU SAY, GORGEOUS.” I wrote this after dancing to this new track and making my girlfriend listen to it with me. Go give it a listen! Trust me, you will have a great time.
Samson Oats is also performing on April 5 at the Woodbridge in LA, and I absolutely encourage you to go support him! He’s always a blast to see live, and there’s nothing cooler than showing your support for an artist in person.
The results are in, and they’re saying it’s time to embrace oatcore!
https://linktr.ee/samsonoats?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnguba3q7OWrCdIzoNGAZK01OjtD8eqHOJgw9aVOz5Y6xXG6rueMPitnKjkcA_aem_-GI-akac4sJ_bmSxC1Gkyw
No comments:
Post a Comment