European music collective SAMAH is out with its new single “Rain,” a Retro Soul and Neo-Soul release that introduces another side of the collective’s genre-fluid approach to music.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2024 by Danish visual artist Johannes Holt Iversen, SAMAH has developed around the idea of bringing different creative influences together. Rather than being defined by a fixed lineup or a single musical style, the collective operates with a rotating cast of collaborators, with some contributors publicly known and others choosing to remain anonymous.
That flexible creative structure plays an important role in SAMAH’s sound. The collective draws from a broad range of genres and influences, including R&B, Soultronica, Nu-Disco, French House, Robo Funk and Indie Pop.
“Rain” places Retro Soul and Neo-Soul at the centre of that musical palette, giving SAMAH an opportunity to explore a more soulful direction while maintaining the experimental spirit that has shaped the collective since its formation.
The record also reflects SAMAH’s wider interest in bringing different eras and styles together. Retro Soul provides a connection to classic soul textures, while the Neo-Soul influence brings a more contemporary character to the release.
For SAMAH, genre is less of a boundary and more of a starting point. Its music can move between electronic textures, R&B grooves, dance influences, and indie sensibilities, allowing each release to occupy its own space while remaining connected to the collective’s broader identity.
The concept behind the project is also closely linked to its visual origins. With Johannes Holt Iversen coming from a visual-art background, SAMAH approaches music as part of a wider creative world rather than treating sound in isolation.
The rotating cast of collaborators further expands that world. Each contributor can bring a different perspective and influence, creating room for SAMAH to evolve from release to release without being restricted to one established formula.
With “Rain,” the collective taps into the warmth and intimacy of Retro Soul and Neo-Soul while continuing its exploration of contemporary genre fusion.
As SAMAH continues developing its catalogue, the Amsterdam-founded collective is establishing itself as a creative project built around experimentation, collaboration and the freedom to move between sounds.
“Rain” adds another piece to that evolving identity, showing how SAMAH can draw from classic soul influences while remaining open to the electronic, dance and indie elements that define its wider musical universe.
