Sampha – Lahai (Sealed UK vinyl)

Lahai is the second studio album by English musician Sampha, released on 20 October 2023 through Young, marking his first release in over six years. The album is named after Sampha’s paternal grandfather.  The album features contributions from Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey, Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson, Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwake Bass. L. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 21 on the UK Albums chart and number 1 on the UK R&B Albums chart.

Upon release, Lahai received widespread acclaim from music critics. The Guardian‘s Alexis Petridis named it his album of the week and called it “jittery with anxiety and indecision, yet poised and luscious”. Petridis wrote that the fact Sampha made another album instead of sticking to songwriting and “made an album as intriguing and affecting as Lahai – is worth celebrating”.  Mojo described it as “less introspective and far from lonely, its persuasive positivity carried by a contained riot of euphoric synths, swelling violins, Chic guitars and skittering percussion”.