Brand new album from Samer Fanek

Throughout the last decade, Samer Fanek has built a career on turning emotion into sound, transforming truly personal moments into moving, cinematic compositions. The Jordanian-Polish pianist, composer and producer has always pursued the goal to make music that forms part of people’s lives, presenting a soundtrack that lives in memory. With an output flows from grand orchestral flourishes, intricate piano solos and a balance of intimacy and power, he’s made a unique impression in the instrumental music sphere.

Born and raised in Jordan, his musical journey started when he began teaching himself to play piano by ear as a teenager. Instead of learning to read or white sheet music, he explored the possibilities of sound through production software, breaking down radio tracks and stacking instrumental textures to create music that was emotional and expressive. That private experimentation soon developed into a lifelong passion, carried with him when he moved to the USA and began to sculpt his own voice as a composer.

That voice is one informed by multicultural heritage and an openness to different genres; his compositions are often wrapped in orchestral and Western stylings as well as infused with elements of rock, pop, Arabic music and electronic textures. The piano acts as the through-line of his work, but it’s rarely left alone, with synths, dramatic percussion and strings expanding his sound.

First making his artistic entrance back in 2016, he unveiled his original sonic vision with his debut album Wishful Thinking, which he’s since followed up with a string of well-received singles and full-length LPs. Now he brings us his latest release with his brand new record titled Forever Elsewhere, a ten-track outing that provides the perfect snapshot of the latest chapter in his creative story.

The album centres on the feeling of searching for happiness, meaning or answers that always seem just out of reach. Initially, he hesitated to release it, uncertain whether such open vulnerability belonged in the public space, but leaning into those struggles gave the record its defining voice and by addressing frustration and the sense of being stuck, Samer realised he could create music that validates and comforts listeners facing similar battles.

Opened by the title track “Forever Elsewhere,” the soft swell of instrumentation textures gives way to bright piano plinks that glide with delicate runs as the arrangement gently builds up with the steady taps of hushed percussion and atmospheric textures. Progressing with staccato string notes and intricate ebb and flow, it’s a spectacular showcase of his cinematic orchestral sound, offering an absorbing sound from start to finish.

“Glass Half Empty” follows with the lilting sway of bouncy piano notes before expanding with the strike of laid back drums and subtly bluesy melodic flickers, taking flight with layers of dazzling instrumentation to form a gripping listening experience. With “Fleeting Struggle,” the hurried flutter of piano and hazy touch of immersive tones casts a moody soundscape that develops with driving rock vibes, taking the listening on a lively and truly engrossing sonic voyage.

Other highlights on the record include tracks like “Restless” with its shimmering pulse of synth tones, slick shuffling groove and interplay between elegant piano work and exquisite lead guitar, resulting in a prog-inflected jam unlike any other. “Scar Away” flows from the jumpy dash of animated piano lines and graceful string arrangement propelled by the brush of drums to offer a stunning showcase of Samer’s creative flair and performance talent. Closing the record with “One Last Try,” he presents a downtempo finale that surges from the tender tones of smooth piano lines and orchestral touches towards an anthemic crescendo, serving up an incredible conclusion to his sensational new album.

Listen to Forever Elsewhere below