5 Songs I Love w/ SAMLOW

Following the release of his latest single 'Magazine', Flex caught up with London-based artist SAMLOW to discover what influences his gritty indie-rock sound. If you enjoy SAMLOW's picks, be sure to check out 'Magazine' at the end of the article.

The Cure – A Forest

Losing Yourself 

There are songs you listen to, and then there are songs you enter.

I still remember being a teenager in Aosta, in Northwest Italy, buying this vinyl at a local shop on a rainy Saturday afternoon. 

While everyone else at school was chasing pop hits, I was gravitating toward a darker world. 

I was a kid armed with a Walkman, my shoes sinking into the deep snow covering the streets on my way to the Liceo, my college.

"A Forest" wasn’t about romance; it was about the magnetic pull of getting lost to catch what is impossible to catch. 

It is driven by a bass line that is hypnotic, steady, and almost indifferent for the entire song, while the guitar’s echoing tone cuts through the dark like a distant light you aren’t sure you can trust. It doesn’t invite you in warmly; it just starts pushing you, and you either follow or you don’t.

The genius of this track is that it feels like movement without arrival. It builds tension, tightens it, and then simply holds it there. It never explodes or resolves; it leaves you wandering, slightly disoriented, as if the song continues in some dark thicket long after the final A-bass note fades.

Some tracks give you light; others teach you how to stand in the dark.

Duran Duran – “Fame” (David Bowie cover) 

Two Worlds Collide 

Duran Duran is probably my favourite band, and this track represents two of my greatest musical loves in one. Bowie is notoriously difficult to cover, yet Duran Duran have mastered it multiple times, from “Boys Keep Swinging” to their incredible version of “Five Years” with Mike Garson, where Simon’s vocals and John Taylor’s bass playing are at the top of their game.

On “Fame,” they increased the BPM from the original and pushed the song further into a new wave/post-punk direction. It feels fresh, sharper, and urgent, while still respecting the groove of the original.

I’m lucky enough to perform this song on bass with Absolute Bowie — awarded “Best Band in the UK” and “Best Bowie” at the NTMAs — on almost every tour. I’ve even spent time at Electric Lady Studios in New York, where the original (featuring John Lennon on backing vocals) was recorded.

This song is a huge part of my DNA. For me, it’s a masterclass in how to create a truly legendary groove.

Tom Meighan – Would You Mind  

The Truth in Second Chances

There is an incredible sense of intimacy in this song, a kind of emotional "nudity" that gets to the very essence of a person. It’s a heartfelt plea about the courage it takes to ask for help when you’ve lost your way.

I’m still waiting for the day I can compose something this raw; I haven't quite reached that level of total intimacy in my own songwriting yet. This song is a perfect example of writing as a consequence of living first. You have to make mistakes, face the consequences, and experience the weight of them. This track is proof that everyone deserves a second chance to tell their truth.

It’s a reminder that music isn't just about the notes or the production; it's about the bravery to stand in front of the world and say, "Would you mind if I lean on you for a little while?"

Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again (Live)  

The Power of the Collective 

For me, this track is all about the cathartic energy of a live performance. While many interpret the lyrics as a metaphor for drug addiction, the "best friend" you take a ride with, the song has evolved into something much larger. In a live setting, it becomes a testament to the power of friendship and the connection between the band and the crowd. This connection is one of the main reasons I started playing; there is nothing like the feeling during the last song of a show when everything is "high" and massive. I watch the footage of the audience waving their arms in unison, and it’s pure magic. It represents that moment where you aren't just an individual anymore; you are part of a collective force. It’s a reminder that music can be a "ride" that carries you away from your problems, fuelled by the loyalty of the people standing next to you. 

It's about a shared human experience that, unlike other things, truly never lets you down.

Tom Odell – Another Love    

The Architecture of Emotion 

I am fascinated by the way this song is constructed. It’s a masterclass in tension and release. The way the arrangement climbs and the chorus finally explodes captures a very specific kind of pain, the feeling of being emotionally "spent."

The song is about wanting to give yourself to someone new but realizing you’ve already used up all your tears and passion on a previous love. 

You want to fight, you want to feel, but you’re empty. 

I study the building of these sections because that’s exactly what I want to achieve in my own music: that moment where the arrangement mirrors the psychological state of the lyrics. It’s not just a melody; it’s a physical build-up of everything you can’t say out loud.

Watch SAMLOW 'Magazine'

Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / TikTok