“High Season”- The Polished Melancholy of Chasing The Summer Sun Escape

The cracked yolk of the saturated sun during vibrant sunny days motivates a hyperdrive of activity, a momentary escape in constant motion. Los-Angeles based artist SAMAD is akin to these drenching conditions, the sweltering emotions of falling into the lush lulls of a summer escape. “High Tide” is the embodiment of the sentimental surges of a fleeting summer strike where one can let go of their worries. Worries and introspection SAMAD expresses in his previous single, “Imposter Syndrome,” “High Tide” is the luminous, unrepentantly animated contrast of an indie-dream liberation. A refined redefinition of pop, SAMAD releases his anchor from the docks of trepidation and invites listeners to sail along a glimmering interim from our daily lives. Frontline Magazine has the privilege of interviewing SAMAD himself gaining insight within his new single and his journey within the blistering constant motions of life.

“…With “High Season,” I wanted the lyricism to balance a polished, maximalist pop sheen with a very grounded, human honesty. The character in the song is essentially a dialed-up version of myself: trying to keep it cool, looking polished on the outside, but completely overthinking under the surface.”

Frontline Magazine sat down with SAMAD for an intimate conversation about his new single “High Season” and the creative world he’s building.

On carrying the theme of escaping internal pressure in a world of continual motion

Summer personified, “High Tide” truly carries the essence of the emotions of a brief summer bliss. How was the process of carrying this theme as a motif of a desire to escape internal thoughts and pressure in a world of continual motion?

I think summer naturally creates this intense contrast—the world outside is moving fast, bright, and loud, but inside your head, you might be feeling overwhelmed or stagnant. 'High Season' was really about taking that frantic, high-bpm energy of the world around you and using it as a shield. Instead of letting the internal pressure crush you, you lean into the tempo of the moment. It’s less about running away from your thoughts and more about driving so fast into the summer heat that you just outrun them for three minutes.

As the sole creditor of lyrics on “High Tide,” could you please share insight on the method you take to produce the magnificent characterization you put into your lyrics and the inspiration behind them?

My writing process always starts with imagery or a visual world that I develop in my mind. I love building a world where the details feel vivid and immediate (visuals, moods, exact textures)because that’s what gives a track its personality. I also have chromesthesia, and for me, the textures and sounds of a song need to be dynamic and complimentary with the lyrics. With “High Season,” I wanted the lyricism to balance a polished, maximalist pop sheen with a very grounded, human honesty. The character in the song is essentially a dialed-up version of myself: trying to keep it cool, looking polished on the outside, but completely overthinking under the surface.

" I think summer naturally creates this intense contrast—the world outside is moving fast, bright, and loud, but inside your head, you might be feeling overwhelmed or stagnant. 'High Season' was really about taking that frantic, high-bpm energy of the world around you and using it as a shield. Instead of letting the internal pressure crush you, you lean into the tempo of the moment. It’s less about running away from your thoughts and more about driving so fast into the summer heat that you just outrun them for three minutes."

On whether "High Season" is a sanctuary or an energized renewal after "Imposter Syndrome"

Image by: Anderson Martins

In your own perspective, after “Imposter Syndrome,” is “High Tide” a personal sanctuary from the internal trepidations of your thoughts, a more energized renewal to your feelings of being an artist?

It’s definitely an energized renewal. Where “Imposter Syndrome” was about sitting in doubt and picking it apart, 'High Season' is about throwing your hands up and saying, “Okay, even if I don't have it all figured out, I'm still showing up.” It’s a sanctuary in the sense that high energy can be a release valve. It gave me permission to stop over-analyzing my place as an artist and just embrace the momentum. It’s also the first time I’ve ever co-written with someone and it’s inspired me so much.

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  Samad

The Nuance Of Nostalgia

The song truly possesses a nostalgia that can only be experienced first-hand, some considering the feeling a gift or a curse. How do you see it? In “High Tide,” do you consider nostalgic melancholy in the positive sense, to not hold back since nothing is forever, or as a sentimental call of remembrance for what has gone?

I definitely see it in the positive sense, as a push to live in the present. Nostalgia gets a bad rap for being stuck in the past, but I think recognizing that moments are fleeting is what gives them high stakes. 'High Season' uses that sense of impermanence as fuel. Nothing lasts forever, summer ends, seasons shift, so why hold back? If it feels nostalgic while you're living it, that just means it matters. I tend to be in my head a lot and I think the past manifests itself in the present in so many ways. I went into that writing session not knowing what would happen. I had the idea of adding big 80s style drums and it turned out to be so cool. I grew up on 80s music because of my parents and it’s cool to see how it presents itself in my musical direction as a 24 year old.

On the cinematic quality and cinematic/score potential

The song displays the essence of a coming to age indie movie, a romantic comedy, befitting on any movie score. When in production, was this a thought you had in mind, or would entertain in a movie or short film?

Honestly, I had no intention of writing a song that felt like you were driving on the coast feeling like the world was your oyster. That characteristic just naturally found itself in the music, and I think it’s cool that people agree as I got a really cool opportunity with a big sync agency in Brazil. At this stage of my life as an aspiring popstar and songwriter, I always approach pop music through a visual lens. I wanted the production to feel bright, wide, and expansive enough that you could play it with the windows down and feel like you were scoring your own movie.

On your personal "High Season" and escaping artistic pressure

A sweet, soft escape, what is your personal “High Tide,” and how do you escape the pressures of being an artist and tedious moments in life?

My personal “High Season” is pretty simple: taking a complete step back from the noise. Being an independent artist means your brain is constantly running on timelines, rollouts, and creative decisions. To escape that, I have to step completely out of creator mode, whether that’s putting on a favorite record, tuning into great storytelling in media or music from other cultures, or just hanging out at home away from screens. Sometimes the best escape is just giving yourself permission to do nothing for an afternoon. I’ve been trying to learn French and Portuguese recently and I have played the album “EQUILIBRIVM” by Anitta when I’m stressed, wanna dance, or cry!

"…Nostalgia gets a bad rap for being stuck in the past, but I think recognizing that moments are fleeting is what gives them high stakes. 'High Season' uses that sense of impermanence as fuel. Nothing lasts forever, summer ends, seasons shift, so why hold back? If it feels nostalgic while you're living it, that just means it matters…."

Samad via IG

About the artist

SAMAD is a Los Angeles–bred singer‑songwriter crafting glossy, sun‑soaked pop that blends preppy polish with bold, saturated ’90s‑tinged energy. At 24, he’s coined the term “preppy pop” for music that pairs immaculate production and cable‑knit aesthetics with bright, high‑gloss melodies—an escapist sound equal parts polished and personal. Following the introspective Imposer Syndrome chapter, SAMAD returns with the new single “High Season” (July 17), a lush, synth‑forward slice of summer that turns inner restlessness into a radiant, kinetic soundtrack.

“High Season” channels frenetic modern life into a shimmering sanctuary—sundrenched synths, poised vocal delivery, and immaculate songwriting that makes the heat feel like an invitation to move. Expect polished pop craftsmanship built for both late‑night playlists and festival stages; SAMAD is poised to expand his following with more singles, visuals, and live dates through late 2026. Stream & follow: TikTok @samadsmusicofficial · Instagram @samadsmusic · Spotify: SAMAD