SAMSARA. – “IN TOO DEEP” [Song Review]

New York’s alt-rock outfit SAMSARA. recently released the music video for “IN TOO DEEP,” which was followed by their single, “Alive,” on June 20th. (Check out our previous premiere.)

SAMSARA. comprises musicians from Queens and Long Island: Dylan Trif (lead vocals), Charlie LoMonaco (guitar, vocals), John Devito (bass), Ben Bustamante (drums, vocals), and Brendan Sandhovel (guitar).

Blending grunge with flavors of funk, metal, and alternative, SAMSARA.’s sound conjures up suggestions of early Kings of Leon, only with a burnished luster and more evocative harmonies.

This summer, the band will perform throughout the Tri-State area, including shows at The Porch in Boston, Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn NYC, and a return to the Great South Bay Music Festival in July.

After a thrumming intro segueing to gleaming wall-of-sound guitars, “IN TOO DEEP” settles into an alternative melody exuding tints of shoegaze and grunge. Trif’s vocals, a bit raspy and dreamily haunting, infuse the lyrics with ebbing and rising timbres that complement the harmonic flow. The shape and feel of the rhythm provide a persuasive pushing motion, pulling in listeners.

“IN TOO DEEP,” with its potent, lingering surfaces and tasty sonic structure, establishes SAMSARA. as a band to watch closely.

SAMSARA in 2024, photo by Joseph Buscarello

Run Time: 3:46
Release Date: May 23, 2024
Record Label: Independent

Upcoming Shows:

Sat. 7/13 Sunken Silo, NJ
Fri. 7/19 The Great South Bay Music Festival, Patchogue NY
Sat. 7/27 Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser, Nostalgia, Bethpage NY
Fri. 8/9 Heaven Can Wait, NYC
Sat. 8/10 Jello, Rockaway, NY
Sat. 9/21 Foley Square, NYC
Fri. 11/8 PHTHLO Phest, Queens, NY