Alex Sampson Releases Growing Pains EP
Alex Sampson releases his highly anticipated EP, Growing Pains. This project features 8 tracks with 3 unreleased tracks. Sampson recently released the single “How Lucky Am I’ on May 22nd. This project may just be Sampson’s best work to date, and all of these tracks really showcase how his talents continue to expand as an artist. You might know Alex from his hit single ‘Pretty Baby,’ which quickly became a fan favorite, or you may even recognize him from appearing on America’s Got Talent. After listening to this new project, this is really going to put him on the map.
My personal favorite off this EP is “Wash You Off (Girls In California)”. When I heard this song on his headline tour, I knew instantly this was going to be the track I fell in love with. Alex brings a sense of fresh air with every new track he releases, and this track really stood out. The song has a fun beat to it, but also explores themes of toxic relationships with a California Girl. Listening to this song is the perfect summer time windows down track while living in California. While this song also contains elements of heartbreak, love, and moving forward, it is ultimately the perfect track for this EP.
A really touching track on this EP is “Growing Pains”. This song is about the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood and being stuck between wanting independence and comfort from home and the familiar. Sampson uses this metaphor in the lyric “I’ve got growing pains, but I’m not getting taller,” which showcases the emotional growth he is facing as an adult, but not the physical pain from growing. Sampson really did a great job with capturing the pains that come with growing up and gaining that sense of freedom once you are on your own.
A large fan favorite off this EP is Misery. The first time I heard it live during his headlining tour, I immediately knew it would be a hit. When it was later released as a single, it somehow exceeded my expectations. One of the song’s most unique qualities is how seamlessly it loops back into itself, creating a perfect full-circle listening experience when played on repeat. The song can be interpreted in a few different ways. One perspective is that it tells the story of a toxic relationship stuck in a constant cycle, where neither person is moving forward, and the only solution is to “put me out of my misery.” Another interpretation aligns with the popular “enemies-to-lovers” trope often found in books, where two people appear to dislike each other on the surface but secretly enjoy each other’s company and have deeper feelings than they admit. No matter how you interpret the lyrics, Misery is an incredibly fun and energetic track. Its infectious beat, catchy chorus, and playful tension make it impossible not to sing along or dance when it’s performed live. It’s the kind of song that instantly lights up a crowd and leaves a lasting impression long after it ends.
My final favorite track, and the closing song of the EP, is “Thank You For Loving Me”. It perfectly brings the entire project together. The song can be dedicated to a significant other, friends, family, or anyone who has supported you through life's ups and downs. At its core, it's a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the people who have stood by your side. The song's emotional impact is made even stronger by its music video, which features clips from his first headlining tour that happened this past spring. Seeing those moments on screen adds another layer of meaning to the track. When I heard the song performed live for the first time, it brought tears to my eyes, and hearing it again on the final EP had the same effect. One especially touching moment during the tour was a fan project created by @love_sarah74 and @itsartbycaitlin in which the audience held up differently colored stars that read, “Thank You For Loving Us.” The gesture was so moving that it brought tears to the artist's eyes as well, making the performance even more memorable and emotional.
