At just 15 years old, Sam Poole is already making quite the name for himself among the Stoke music community. One of the youngest performers on the circuit, the emerging teen artist has earned a reputation for emotive acoustic ballads and heartfelt performances – his latest single What We Had solidifying his status as one of the city’s rising stars.
Following his 2023 record You Won’t Understand, What We Had continues to see Sam grow as a musician as he develops his songwriting skills. The youngster told The Leopheard of how he wrote the track about his ‘first teenage heartbreak’, reflecting on what could have been done differently.
He said: “The song is a reminder to people that, even though we may be teenagers and may have not experienced real love yet, we will still experience the feeling of teenage heartbreak once in our lives.
“The song reflects upon the loss of the relationship as a whole. It talks about confusion, regret, and simply what could have been done differently. Even with all these feelings in consideration, we were satisfied with what we had. I hope this song can create an impact upon people.”
The piano-driven track delves into the complexities of relationship loss and heartbreak, offering a raw and honest exploration of the teenage emotions we all remember experiencing.
The instrumentation is beautifully crafted, with subtle melodies and dynamic arrangements that complement his sincere vocals, from the forlorn verses to the more contemplative chorus – his lyrics direct but moving in their delivery. I think one of the reasons people are often shocked to hear of his age is Sam’s deep vocals, which boast a soulful quality and maturity beyond his experience.
What We Had marks a significant step in the 15-year-old’s musical journey. It’s his first release since signing with SaySomethingMusic, meaning ‘the start of a new era’ for the schoolboy, who will no doubt gain valuable insight and guidance from Scott Evans in order to further progress and really hone his craft.
Sam looks up to artists like Sam Fender and Dean Lewis, both of whom are worthy role models for the young writer, and the more he listens, studies his craft, and speaks to other gifted writers in the scene, the more he’s sure to evolve and mature as a promising homegrown talent. He’s got a huge amount of backing from scene ‘elders’, and his passion, willingness to develop himself further as a musician and approach to graft is one that will see him on the track to success.
With its bittersweet storytelling, authentic vocals and atmospheric bridge, What We Had is a marked step up for Sam Poole as he works towards releasing his debut EP before he’s even left school.
I’d highly recommend keeping an eye on this young musician as he grows – and if you find the opportunity to see him live, he really does deliver an impressive performance.
Released Friday, February 16, listen to What We Had by Sam Poole here:
