Back in 2020, Samurai Del released his album, Till Death, with one of the tracks being, “Forgive Me,” featuring Laureli. It was evident with that single that this duo had a truly magical partnership. Now we’re seeing them collaborate on an entire project together with the release of their EP, From Seattle With Love.
I cannot stress enough the impeccable quality of this EP. Their artistic chemistry shines through with Samurai Del’s composition of the beats and Laureli’s lyrics and delivery matching each other flawlessly. The five tracks show us the range of both artists.
In Del’s case, we’re seeing how his production is maturing over the years. Although cohesive, each song has its own individual vibe steeped in complex layers of different sounds, taking you on a journey from start to finish. Laureli, on the other hand, showcases her catchy and refreshingly original lyrics through her undeniable pop-star quality vocals.
In the track, “Donuts,” Laureli makes it sound like a bittersweet tale of a romance that once was. When in actuality, the clever lyrics double as a way to talk about Celiac disease and the somber feeling when you find out that you can never eat something as delicious as donuts again.
As a fellow Celiac, the track truly speaks to me. On the surface level, though, it’s an infectious pop song that got an equally iconic music video to go with it directed by Dylan Fout.
From Seattle With Love doesn’t miss. Every hook is catchy and has a high likelihood of getting stuck in your head. The dance-centric beats on tracks like, “Hiccups,” will make you feel more energized than the rare Northwest sunshine. The features from Seattle heavyweights, Sol and Dave B., will remind you that this scene is mad diverse and talented.
When all of these powers combine, the end result isn’t just music that represents one or two artists. It’s a piece of work that reflects on an entire region and moment in time, and that’s exactly what Laureli and Samurai Del did with this collaboration. It’s a gift of timeless music, From Seattle With Love, to the rest of the world, for consumers to enjoy even when the rain comes.