Johanna Samuels - "Ugly On The Inside"
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It’s essential to aim high, though. The deluge of third-wave emo revivalists and pop punk mimickers that saturate the current music landscape chose to aim low. Paramore’s style was reductive and uninspiring in 2007, so rehashing and reinterpreting it decades later essentially yields the same bland results. Let’s vow to leave third-wave emo deep in the recesses of our minds forever.
On the other hand, some songwriters smartly set their sights on singular, generational talents to emulate. These include the Joni Mitchells, PJ Harveys, and Aimee Manns of the world. Mann, in particular, is quite possibly the greatest songwriter of her generation, but she’s criminally underappreciated by the general public (and boomers like Steely Dan, who unceremoniously dropped her as the opening act on their 2022 tour. She may have forgiven them, but I haven’t). She’s a critical darling, and rightfully so. Her songwriting is unparalleled in its honesty, imagination, and sophisticated pop song structures. To boil it down, she simply knows how to write a memorable song.
I hear so much of Aimee Mann in Johanna Samuels’ songwriting, an artist who fashions a similar brand of soaring and striking folk-pop. The Los Angeles-based songwriter possesses a similar wry lyrical wit, penchant for hooky choruses, and a strong command of melody. These gifts all come to fruition on her most recent single, “Ugly On The Inside.” Though the lyrics present themselves as a sort of confrontation of both inner and outer demons, the overall feel of the track is anything but. She beautifully weaves together a comforting vocal melody, dulcet guitar tones, and dazzling touches of piano to craft a composition that’s memorable, pensive, and impactful.
Stream the track below!
“Ugly On The Inside” will appear on Samuels’ forthcoming full-length, Bystander, which is set for release on June 23rd via Jealous Butcher Records. You can pre-order a copy on limited edition gold vinyl via Bandcamp.
To learn more about Samuels, check out our podcast interview with her from 2021. Keep up with Samuels by following her on Instagram.
