Review: Samantha Crain is on the Case with “Gumshoe”

When Shawnee native Samantha Crain released her latest album Gumshoe, she said her goal was to find fulfillment in an impermanent life. Crain, who is of Choctaw descent, began learning the language before writing her album. She realized that the Choctaw language has no terms for “is” or “are.” This was where her mystery began. A self-described “lone wolf”, Crain was suddenly reflecting on the impermanence of life. Gumshoe was born from these reflections. Full of references to detective movies like The Pink Panther and The Maltese Falcon, Crain viewed herself as a sullen detective. According to Crain, the title of the album was inspired by the Carmen Sandiego series. Detective Crain was on the case, ready with an album that was unlike anything we’ve heard from her before.

 Most of the tracks are high-energy and sonically experimental, as she trades her traditional singer-songwriter style for a more electric, psychedelic sound. Each track stands on its own, yet collectively they tell a cohesive story of self-discovery. The opening track, “Dragonfly,” sets the tone with colorful, surreal imagery and dizzying vocals, reflecting Crain’s self-awareness in a raw, relatable way. This introspective quality carries into “Neptune Baby,” which sonically resembles her earlier work.

Other songs on the album turn more somber. “Trap Door” and “Melatonin” explore the emotional complexity of being in a relationship with someone struggling with addiction. The closing track is “Old Hallicrafter Radio.” It is full of sad, nostalgic memories and leaves the listener with a bittersweet ending. After all, you cannot move forward without looking back at the past. Crain had spent many hours out on the road pursuing a career in the music industry. More recently, Crain has taken the time to connect with her heritage and form new relationships. While she hasn’t cracked the case, Samantha Crain is ready for whatever comes next.

My Top 3 Tracks for Gumshoe:

• Dart
• Ridin’ Out the Storm
• Trap Door

Gumshoe is out on Real Kind Records. CDs and vinyls are available now on her website.