Samm Henshaw enlists the help of Bonkaz on dark, captivating new track “Autonomy”

18 December 2015, 13:15 | Written by Jack Beadle

(Tracks)

(Samm Henshaw) (Bonkaz)

Back in 2014 Samm Henshaw was a brand-new act, a contender to the throne of the neo-soul singer/songwriter revival which comprised the likes of Benjamin Clementine, Leon Bridges et al. But a quick listen to the early tracks Henshaw put online proved he had the songwriting chops, lyrical dexterity and throaty grit in his voice which set him apart from the competition - as if he’d been doing it for years.

Sure enough, new track “Autonomy” swaggers and chugs and swoops and dives with the unpredictable structure you’d expect of a performer that has been writing for decades, tired of the standard formulae. There is a timeless class to his voice and his music - even the opening piano sounds old and worn, as if overplayed for years in some parochial church hall - but the old sounds are soon met with menacing bass and 808s, which keep things dark and bracing throughout. Current darling MC of the grime world Bonkaz is recruited for a laid-back and stylish verse, which further adds to the dark atmosphere created by Henshaw’s lyrics. There is talent abound on this track and it serves to heighten our anticipation for what’s to come next from the unique and acutely exciting talent of Samm Henshaw. Listen below. "Autonomy" is Song Of The Day. Find out more: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube