Sad music is the hardest music to write; there’s no question about it. To write a truly sad song—a good one at that—the artist has to be able to ensnare a listener and encourage them to throw their arms open in the face of a pointed knife. Samia has proven herself an aficionado at writing music of all moods, but her sad songs are irrefutable revolutionary. 

It was summertime when I first heard Samia’s song “Welcome to Eden.” It was a quiet time when I first heard Samia’s song “Welcome to Eden.” It was a sad time when I first heard Samia’s song “Welcome to Eden.” It was a time of ignorance. 

I scoffed at the idea of cry songs; sure, I had cried to a song before, but I never had a song that without a doubt made me choke up every time I heard it. There was never a song that had made me feel so raw, exposed, and vulnerable. There was never a song called “Welcome to Eden.”

And then, there was.

And now, it’s back: remastered and pristine.

The words “The Wild Honey Pie Buzzsession” gracefully draped across my screen, Samia’s reverberant voice soon waltzed out of my speakers. Samia’s so-called “Buzzsession” included two songs: “Gotta Have You” and “Welcome to Eden.” Despite my incomprehensible desire to hear my favorite song, despite my yearning for its beauty, despite everything telling me to play “Welcome to Eden” first, I trusted Samia knew what order was best.

And she did.

“Gotta Have You” was foreign. A voice I was so accustomed to being morosely melancholic showed some joy. It was bittersweet—both her voice and my heart. I wanted Samia to only be “Welcome to Eden”; I wanted Samia to be restricted; I wanted Samia to be one and only one. 

Now, I’m glad Samia is two, and I’ll be happier when she’s three and four and five and six.

After listening to “Gotta Have You,” I’m glad Samia is no longer just “Welcome to Eden.” Samia is a voice to get drunk off of. Samia is a voice that sonorizes emotion. Samia is a voice, and her voice is a weapon. I’m just happy Samia is Samia.

Just as she was always able to, Samia made me feel with her song “Gotta Have You.” It was tranquil and fluid; I closed my eyes and there she stood, singing to me. She had me thinking of what was and what will be—all the while, a smile painted dumbly on my face. 

The smile didn’t last long. 

At the start of the track for “Welcome to Eden,” Samia says eight simple words.

Hi, this is “Welcome to Eden”: take two. 

These eight words are more than a prelude; they’re a warning. It’s letting you know what you’re getting into, but her gentle tone makes a tsunami seem like a splash. Before you know it, you’re drowning in her voice. 

I wish I had the words to describe this song. Truth is, I don’t. I don’t believe there are words to describe the artistry behind the sound. I don’t believe there’s any possible way to convey the lyricism and talent behind her words. The only way to understand the emotion elicited by “Welcome to Eden” is to listen to it.

“Welcome to Eden” is priceless.

“Welcome to Eden” is ethereal.

“Welcome to Eden” is glorious.

Most importantly, “Welcome to Eden” is Samia, but Samia is so much more.