Samantha Fish’s latest release, Paper Doll, is a well-built project of songcraft, production, and performance dynamics. With this album, Fish takes a clear musical evolution, offering a blend of blues, rock, punk, rock Americana, and soul. The nine tracks highlight her as a guitarist and creativity as a vocalist and composer. The album was recorded with her touring band, capturing the energy and synergy of a live performance while maintaining polished production that elevates the emotional intensity of each track.
Produced by Bobby Harlow, Paper Doll blends a striking balance between studio finesse and the grit of live performance. The album’s strength lies in its ability to balance technical musicianship with emotional resonance, a balance that will resonate deeply with music fans.
“I’m Done Runnin'” has a catchyblues-rock sound palette, propelled by Fish’s rhythmic guitar work and a solid rhythm section. The syncopation in the verses is especially worth noting; Fish and the band lean into the off-beat accents, making for a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The rhythm guitar, heavy on slide, and the bass’s groove with the drum’s drive give the track a steady propulsion. The harmonic structure is straightforward, but the real musical depth comes from the interaction between Fish’s guitar and vocals and the rhythm section, creating a strong forward momentum that pushes the song into a defiant, empowering territory.
“Can Ya Handle The Heat?” has a riff-heavy texture that draws heavily from 70s blues rock. Fish’s vocal delivery is calibrated to match the punchy rhythms of the band. The guitar tone here has a bright crunchy treble focus, cutting through the mix, especially in the solo section. The bass line becomes more prominent in key moments, adding to the groove by subtly outlining the harmonic movement while still locking into the beat. The call-and-response between the vocal lines and the guitar riffs is a fantastic example of musical interplay, a hallmark of Fish’s writing. The songwriting showcases her understanding of rhythmic phrasing in the way the guitar and bass and drums lock into the groove while still allowing her vocal line to take center stage.
“Sweet Southern Sounds” shows Fish’s songwriting and leans into the use of layering and catchy melodies. The introduction with the organ adds a lush texture to the mix, and when Fish’s guitar enters, the combination of the B-3 organ’s warmth and her dimensional rhythm playing gives the track a rich, full-bodied feel. As the song progresses, the guitar solos become more dynamic, with Fish knowing when to dobends and taking a lyrical approach that adds to the overall build of the song.
“Off In The Blue” has Fish embracing different textures. The instrumental interplay becomes more detailed, with Fish’s vocal sound taking center stage and interesting production. The production here plays a key role in creating space for each element to breathe, which highlights Fish’s vocal technique as she uses her range in a way focus on tone and phrasing. It’s the different textures in a musical setting to create a lasting impact, especially when paired with subtle harmonic shifts.
“Rusty Razor” has a defiant garage-rock sound, with nicely distorted guitar tones and a punchy rhythm section. Fish’s flow between speak singing and her full upper register here is especially notable for its syncopation and feel. Mick Collins’ vocals contrast effectively with Fish’s tone. Fish’s vocal delivery shifts towards something more playful and sarcastic, adding an emotional layer that contrasts with the aggression of the instrumental parts. The track keeps the energy high, and the guitar soloing pushes the track to an emotional climax. The song is a perfect example of arrangement-driven energy and vocal characterization, demonstrating Fish’s ability to balance grit with technical skill.
“Fortune Teller” opens with a slow, bluesy vibe that builds as Fish’s vocal line grows more powerful and emotionally charged. The song features dynamic shifts building to a fiery double-time guitar solo climax. The instrumental arrangement here, with its focus on varying feels and building energy, allows Fish’s vocal and guitar performance to shine through in all its raw power, creating a song of memorable intensity.
The title track, “Paper Doll,” is a textured blues rocker that sees Fish exploring vocal subtleties and emotional depth. The arrangement is built around Fish’s vocal dynamics with her guitar. She employs different sounds with her vocals. Her doubling with the guitar allows for emotional weight within the phrasing. Her guitar playing here is intricately tied to her vocal delivery, creating an unique song. This track exemplifies nuanced songwriting and vocal/guitar storytelling.
Paper Doll stands as a prime example of musical songwriting in its melodies and song form with matching production quality. Samantha Fish has crafted an album that doesn’t just showcase her vocal technique but also demonstrates her ability to integrate her voice, guitar, and emotion into cohesive compositions. Each track showcases Fish’s deftness in balancing emotional storytelling. Paper Doll is a strong songwriter’s vision into something impactful in the blues-rock vein. That’s the short of it!
