What can simultaneously convey or create emotions and make one contemplate what’s happening in the soul? The answer is simple: it’s music. It alone can tear down all the mental shields with which a person walls themselves off from the world and society, and compel them to look at what lies buried very deep within.

Samer Fanek, in his new album “Forever Elsewhere“, has presented listeners with a very complex yet personal theme: conveying feelings in those moments when the soul is full of contradictions, and one yearns to find clarity in life, a kind of anchor to move forward, answers to all the difficult questions, to put a full stop to contentious matters. The theme, as one can see, is very complex indeed. But it’s worth noting: Samer Fanek has brilliantly realised this task, thereby demonstrating that however difficult life may be, whatever feelings might rage in one’s heart, preventing clear decisions from being made, finding one’s path to victory, to light is always possible. And for the modern person, consumed by a tonne of problems, such knowledge—a guiding star—is sometimes true salvation.

You know what strikes me about contemporary music? How few artists remain who are prepared to truly bare themselves before the listener. Everyone’s afraid of appearing vulnerable, everyone hides behind beautiful façades. In “Forever Elsewhere”, Samer Fanek does precisely what the musical world so desperately lacks—he tells the truth. The album was born from that state which each of us knows, but few dare discuss aloud. When you stand at the crossroads of your own life and realise—all the answers are somewhere nearby, but for some reason you can’t quite reach them. When happiness flickers on the horizon like a mirage in the desert. Fanek has taken these universal experiences and transformed them into music that works like a mirror for every listener.

“Forever Elsewhere” functions like a new-generation antidepressant. It tells the listener: yes, you feel awful, yes, you’re lost, yes, it seems there’s no way out. But you’re not alone in this trouble. And that in itself is healing. Yes, the modern world is currently arranged… well, strangely. Everyone tries to appear successful on social media, whilst depression has become almost a taboo subject, and in my view, such work as “Forever Elsewhere” could genuinely become salvation for thousands of people.

The opening track “Forever Elsewhere” from the very first seconds brings to mind the sea during rain. The piano parts can be divided into two sections: the first—the sea that overwhelms with its waves, giving no chance to escape. Such waves in the track are sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger, as if emphasising the experiences that a person undergoes. The second—raindrops on the water’s surface. They dilute the gloom and power present in the “waves“, lending a touch of playfulness, lightness, but simultaneously sadness, hopelessness, and weariness.

“Glass Half Empty” is full of contradictions from the first seconds. Initially one senses hope, as if a solution is near or one can easily resolve some problem. But this doesn’t last long, then suddenly, one might even say rather triumphantly, pain, bitterness, and despair sound forth, as if hope had been snatched away and there’s no other way out save the saddest and most unpleasant outcome. And here it’s worth noting a small detail: although pain sounds alongside determination, notes of hope in this piano part are distinctly audible, like a final chance for someone. Particularly noteworthy is the track’s conclusion: Samer Fanek ends once again with tentative hope, which after despair has returned in full measure. Though it sounds tentative indeed.

“Fleeting Struggle” differs from the first two in its combination of gloom and triumph. These two directions captivate literally from the first seconds, and then sadness joins them in the form of small flute passages with notes of determination.

“Restless” is gloomy and sad pop rock atnhem, emphasising not so much soul pain as hopelessness and emptiness after prolonged, painstaking work. One might even say that this track is a musical reflection of emotional or professional burnout, when you want nothing, haven’t the strength even to cry. Even simply existing is difficult.

“Inner Collapse” is the embodiment of doubts and hope. The entire melody is permeated with anxiety, the desire to choose the best option, the necessity of considering an enormous number of external factors, the fear of making a mistake, and the hope that the chosen option is correct. From roughly the middle, the melody becomes more triumphant and bright, as if showing that hopes and inner strength are growing, success is near. But the track’s ending is ambiguous: on one hand everything seems joyful and good, but on the other… Samer Fanek ends the track sadly and sorrowfully, as if definitively putting a full stop to the situation and emphasising that everything is decided and there are no other options, however much one might wish otherwise.

“One Last Try” is also contradictory and unusual. The melody resembles gathering wind: it seems everything is as usual, but one senses that just a little more and there’ll be a strong squall from which it will be difficult to hide or ignore. Such a waltz rhythm compels one to cast sorrows and grief aside, to stand up and begin doing something, whilst not hiding one’s own pain from oneself, but acknowledging it — and of course the incredible playing of Samer Fanek.

“Forever Elsewhere” is an album about the modern person lost in a world of endless possibilities and endless disappointments. About a generation that was promised everything would be simple, but it turned out—everything is very complicated. About people searching for themselves in a world where everything is standardised and simplified. This is necessary to understand what’s most important in one’s life, to choose a path and begin living a full life without looking back at others’ advice, numerous celebrities, and other examples that compel conformity to others.

Samer Fanek has accomplished colossal work worthy of admiration and respect. For me personally, this album is a magic wand that heals the soul and provides the opportunity to return to that road which will lead to a better life, despite all problems.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub