Timmy's Prayer

Sampha featured on an incredible-sounding leak of Kanye West's "Saint Pablo," but otherwise, it's been over a year and a half since he appeared on an official release -- guesting on a few tracks on SBTRKT's Wonder Where We Land -- and almost three years since he put out anything under his own name. It seemed like he was on the verge of stardom after collaborating with Drake on two tracks off Nothing Was the Same, but the British electronic artist and vocalist has since rescinded the spotlight. Today, Sampha has returned with a new single: "Timmy's Prayer."

With the new song, Sampha offered a letter to his fans who have stuck around through his absence:

Hello,

It's been a while. I've had a lot to process these past couple of years, as we all do, and it's hard to articulate sometimes. I wanted to say thank you to all the people who've shown me so much love and support. I'm looking forward to start sharing my music with you again.

Sampha

"Timmy's Prayer" blends an acoustic melody with an electronic one, the latter seeming to increase in amplitude as Sampha's vocals become more impassioned. The song is a lament of his own efforts in escaping an all-encompassing relationship, before arriving at the conclusion: "If heaven's a prison, then I am your prisoner." The message seems to extend to his relationship with music, as one gets the sense that he's been suffocated by his dreams. Luckily, it sounds as though he's starting to locate a feeling of newfound hope. It's a magnificent return.

Quotable Lyrics

I messed up, I know now
There's no room for me to play now
Nowhere to dig my way out
My brother always said I'm a dreamer, dreamer
You better watch out where this life'll lead ya