F4MIL7 - "Sambor" - Album Review

Shane Laures
Jun 21, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Jul 23, 2024

Artist: F4mil7

(pronounced "Family")

Album: Sambor (2022)

Genre: Hybrid blend of EDM and Live Instruments

Length: 4 Tracks

(16 Min 42 Sec)

Lyrical Content: 9.25/10

Conscious %: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Personal Rating: 9.25/10

Tempo Range:

The feeling of climbing the first hill of a rollercoaster sets in as the first notes of FALLOUT begin to take you on the ride that is F4MIL7's new EP, Sambor. Sambor is the second of eight EP's in the epic world F4MIL7 is forming. Each album is titled after a character in the story Laura is crafting to go with the music.

The safety rail clicks into place, and the first beat hits with a rumbling boom, boom, ba-doom. Laura's vocals phase in, weaving the relatable internal story of Sambor,

"Anticipation, what am I waiting for? Maybe a Savior, an easy out..."

As the verse gives way to the pre-chorus build-up, the energy begins to swell. "I've been a good kid, and I stayed in line. My obligations, I did it for pride, for somebody else. Oh, this time is mine" The beat drops into a heavy yet melodic dubstep chorus laced with Laura's echoing cries of "my fallout". As the dust settles, and verse two hits, the lyrics continue to relate a story of seeking and struggle.

"This restless spirit, is ready to soar. Transcend the trenches where I have lived. Might find a purpose, might find a war, either way it's a precipice."

This verse perfectly reflects humanity's endless struggle to find meaning and peace in our lives. We dig ourselves into trenches of beliefs, patterns, and situations that often look like impossible cliffs. When we come face to face with these obstacles we either find purpose in the overcoming of them, or we create war fighting them. As the pre-chorus starts up again, we can relate deeper to the weight of Sambor taking the reigns in life, and the fallout that can ensue. The song's chorus rings out one last time and then calmly fades out with a single piano note.

Track two, HARD TIMES, starts out softly with a gentle synth for a few bars. Don't let this fool you, the vibe of this song is anything but gentle. The synth is quickly joined by a bouncy percussion line and some funky bass. The drums pause as Laura enters with the first verse,

"Necessity is the mother of invention, and right now, I've got the need, I've got the need..."

The drums come back and the verse finishes flowing perfectly into the chorus.

"It's all right, let it go, it's just time, to let it flow, show these hard times I won't get down, I make my destiny in hard times!"

Cue the heaviest, crunchiest, dubstep drop and the soundtrack to fighting your way through hard times side by side with Sambor. The beat breaks down with some synth frequencies and then picks right back up with the crunchy goodness. The heavy dubstep fades out and the original beat returns for verse two. "Somehow I knew, that all of this was coming, and even so, it's hard to breathe, it's hard to breathe yeah". Sambor's response to this painful, yet highly relatable feeling is one to admire.

"And so I turn my face into the sunlight, with eyes closed, wait to receive, wait to receive..."

Turn towards the light and patiently wait to receive the good things coming. The chorus plays once more, giving us all the same beautiful reminders. It's alright. Let it go. We make our destinies through the way we handle hard times. After the chorus, the beat drops again and we battle our way through once more, until the song winds down and ends on a single sad piano note.

V1G1L starts out like a music box, winding up to a synthetic, melodic cry. The bass enters, hitting hard alongside a powerful church organ. The church organ and music box merge into a quiet, haunting melody of sorrow, mirrored by the lyrics. The verse begins,

"There's gonna be another vigil tonight, crying in silence in dim candlelight, after the sunrise survivors go on, senseless and sad, can't believe that they're gone"

Laura's voice carries the weight of her words with a perfect blend of sadness and the strength required to go on. The drums come back and the vibe changes slightly. "It's a free country, So do what you want and say what you say, The world is your oyster you don't have to change." The lyrics are a nice reminder to not be afraid to express yourself and follow your dreams. The lyrics continue with a powerful question to ponder, and a tribute to Rumi.

"What if surrender was not a defeat, No right, no wrong, just a place we could meet?"

If we want to stop fighting and killing each other, this right here could be the first step. Without right or wrong, we are all just humans, and we can meet each other with a new level of compassion and understanding. "Duty to stature and duty to man, The fate of the people is held in your hands." As Laura finishes the last few lines, the sound whirls and builds up to another synth cry as the beat drops. The drums and organ hit hard through out the bridge, intermixed with the synth melodically crying out. As the bridge winds down, verse two feels like a story out of a bad dream, yet also feels all too real.

"...Little eyes watching us learning to fight, Making a monster that howls in the night. For so many years you've been living like this. Another one falls and you don't even flinch, In a free country."

The beat drops again, this time with some extra wubbs. Laura's voice gains a newfound strength as she calls out her final message in the song's outro. "When will you wake up, and shake up the history, to make all the changes, to save all the people, who are running out of time? You're running out of time."

The final track, WHAT YOU DO, hits like something out of a dark carnival. The beat is a constantly evolving 3/4 waltz with layers of revolving sound, reminiscent of Alice In Wonderland mixed with Nightmare Before Christmas. As the verse begins, drums and a sittar add even more flavor to the mix. Laura sings out

"Here we go darling again and again, into the pitch where you've already been, Someone will throw you a rope, But you'll just ignore it for the devil-you-know."

This first verse can be related to, on so many levels. Our fears, stubbornness, or even our contentment, can leave us stuck in repeating cycles, dancing with the same devils of toxic relationships, addictions, depression, anxiety, etc. The chorus rings out as the beat winds up,

"It's not what you should do, it's just what you do. It's not what you could do, it's just what you do."

The song takes a short instrumental journey, with some added keys and EDM sounds, before Laura comes back to continue the tale with a warning.

"Deeper in madness it's more of the same, Cut throat and callous you sail through the pain. All hail the Captain Mirage, Your ship is destined for wild sabotage."

When pain and bitterness are steering your ship, you'll see nothing but rough waters and jagged rocks on the shores. Laura continues to disillusion us with the rest of the verse.

"It's amazing what you can get used to, Contortions you'll do with a smile all the time, Just to keep plodding that same stupid line, Try to keep your head about you in the circles of lies, Cut from your own vein to keep the masquerade alive, And It's amazing what you can get used to..."

The chorus plays again and we take the same musical bridge as before, but this time the keys lead us deep into the rabbit hole. As the song devolves into chaos, we fall like Alice into the madness, surrounded by the psychedelic sounds of tinkling piano keys, haunting brass horns, crashing cymbals, and echoing cries from Laura.

With a final powerful cry, the album finishes and the ride is over. The 16 minutes and 42 seconds that make up this album are solid gold from beginning to end. On all four tracks, Laura's vocals are just as powerful as her lyrics. The beats and instruments that bring this album to life are pure fire, and by the end, I feel we can all relate to and learn from Sambor's story.

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