Rising reggae rock singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist Joe Samba has released his new single “Meant To Be” with Wax and announced his new studio album, Lifeline, will be released on Friday, September 27th via LAW Records. Tempering a head-nodding bounce with a salsa shake and loose guitar lick, “Meant To Be,” co-produced by Eric Krasno of Soulive and Samba, is about being on the road and having second thoughts about what you’re doing. Amplifying the energy on the hip-hop leaning track, rapper Wax delivers a head-turning guest spot – PRESS HERE to listen to “Meant To Be,” which first premiered with Glide Magazine. Lifeline, Samba’s third full-length album, also includes the lead single and summer anthem “Little Love,” already hailed as “an absolute bop” and “a mood-booster.” PRESS HERE to pre-save Lifeline on DSPs.
“‘Meant To Be’ is a song collaboration with Wax and Eric Krasno,” shares Samba. “It’s about the trials and tribulations of a musician – from family life, to life on the road, and life in the studio. It touches on the temptations that surround you on tour, the good and bad that come with that lifestyle. This is the first of four songs off my new album to be released that were produced by Eric and I’m beyond excited to have the west coast homie Wax be a part of it, perfectly detailing his own experiences of life on the road in his verse. I hope musicians and creatives alike can listen to it and vibe with it.”
“My brand-new album Lifeline is a catalog of songs that represent change and growth,” Samba adds. “It’s a sonic ride of highs and lows from emotional anthems to high energy jams. I try to put together songs that mean something deeper than just notes and words. I hope the listeners can hear that. I hope they can feel and relate to the journey I’ve been on for the last two years – musically, personally and alike. There’s a song for everybody on this one.”
Joe Samba has a song for every season. You could drift off into the smoky summer groove of his reggae-infused bangers or jump into spring fueled by the punk rock gallop of his guitar-driven anthems. He’s got the kind of melodies that could warm you back to life in the winter and the chantable hooks you want to celebrate with on a year-end victory lap in the fall. He threads everything together with unfiltered emotion and honest lyrics about life as a father, husband, son, friend, and artist. All of these vibes and more are on full display on Lifeline, which tells the story of various life changes including becoming a dad, moving, touring life and being away from family, friendships, and more.
For Lifeline, Samba worked with outside producers for the first time, recording four tunes with Krasno (a huge personal influence for Joe) and three in LA’s famed Laurel Canyon with Anthony Resta (Duran Duran, Collective Soul), who co-produced “Little Love.” The final tracks of the 10-song collection were self-produced in Maine at the Halo Studio with engineer Kevin Billingslea. Joe first introduced this new musical chapter in June with the release of “Little Love,” which Daily Reggae applauded by saying, “This is such a beautiful song and another reminder that Samba is one of the best visual songwriters in reggae today.” PRESS HERE to watch the official music video for “Little Love.” Elsewhere on Lifeline is “Communicate,” a song that epitomizes relationships with your friends as you grow older, the islandy “Home” featuring Mihali (of Twiddle), and the robust title track “Lifeline,” a dedication to Joe’s wife and son. See below for full track listing
Following a childhood immersed in music, the Massachusetts-born and now New Hampshire-based multi-talent paid his dues by endlessly gigging around the Northeast. Joe Samba formally introduced himself as an artist via The Wrong Impression in 2019. His independent debut topped the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart, debuting at #1 and gathering millions of streams. He leveled up on his 2022 sophomore album Far From Forever (LAW Records), with the album’s singles “Create Something,” “Boomer Economy” and “Beef” also amassing millions of streams. Along the way, Samba has toured or played alongside everyone from The Dirty Heads, Ziggy Marley and Pepper to Shwayze and Sublime With Rome, performed at such festivals as Summer Camp Music Festival, Cali Vibes, Reggae Rise Up, and Cali Roots Festival, and earned media acclaim for his energetic live show, with The Pier praising, “There’s something unique about Joe.” See below for full list of upcoming tour dates to check out Joe Samba and his bandmates live in action.
Lifeline Track Listing
1. Culture War
2. Cold Feet
3. Little Love
4. Lost Boy
5. Communicate
6. Meant To Be featuring WAX
7. Surfside featuring JARV
8. Home featuring Mihali
9. Break Free
10. Lifeline
JOE SAMBA TOUR DATES
Saturday, July 27 – Hampton Bays, NY @ The Barnyard
Saturday, August 10 – Warren, NH @ Mountain Music and Arts Festival
Friday, August 16 – Farmington, ME @ Narrow Gauge Amphitheater
Saturday, August 17 – Coatesville, PA @ Lion Heart Music Fest PA
August 23-25 – Auburn, CA @ Dry Diggins Festival
September 5-8 – Pinecrest, CA @ Bear Music Festival
Wednesday, September 11 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone
Thursday, September 12 – Paso Robles, CA @ The Pourhouse
Friday, September 13 – Chico, CA @ Lost On Main
Saturday, September 14 – Reno, NV @ Cypress
Sunday, September 15 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst Atrium
