Samantha Gongol “Planes Are Low”

Samantha Gongol, best known as one-half of the platinum-selling duo Marian Hill has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter in her musical journey with her new solo project. As the lead vocalist and co-writer of Marian Hill, Samantha helped the band rise to critical acclaim with hits like “Down” and “One Time,” blending sultry vocals with minimalistic electronic beats. In her debut single “Flash In The Pan”, Samantha stepped into the spotlight on her own, showcasing a different sound and a more personal side of her artistry.

“Flash in the Pan”, along with its companion song “Planes Are Low”, explores themes of self-reflection, uncertainty, and the passage of time. Samantha delves into the complexities of getting older, confronting the fear that her moment in the industry might have passed, and wrestling with the question of whether to keep going or walk away. But, as she playfully notes, “That’s showbiz, baby!” Despite the introspective themes, Samantha approached this project with a sense of freedom. “Sonically, it’s quite a departure,” she says, “but I wanted to have fun with this record and do something really different from the band. I have been in Marian Hill for 10 years, and I love it so much. But I was just craving a little something new.”

“Planes Are Low” is a melancholy and gorgeous indie pop single filled with Samantha’s soul-baring vocals, emotive piano chords, and mood-drenched melodies. She shares, “I initially wrote “Planes Are Low” after taking a long COVID walk in 2020. I remember the air felt thick, and it was unseasonably warm for winter. As I was about to turn in, a plane dipped under the clouds. I’m sure it was to get better visibility and escape the cloud cover, but it seemed almost as if it was flying dangerously low. It struck me as a metaphor for how I was feeling at the time. Everything felt wrong, kind of like the plane flying so low. It seemed like a natural follow up to “Flash In The Pan”, two sides of the same introspective coin. “Flash In The Pan” feels like Samantha the character, while “Planes Are Low” feels like we take a literal peek behind the curtain and you find her sitting alone, in her dressing room, taking off her glitter and sequins.”

The release marks a bold step for Samantha as she experiments with a new musical direction, allowing her to embrace creative risks and push the boundaries of her established sound. While fans of Marian Hill will undoubtedly recognize her signature emotive vocal delivery, “Flash In The Pan” brought an unexpected, playful energy that signals Samantha’s desire to break new ground as she goes solo and “Planes Are Low” brings a tenderness and vulnerability further connecting her to listeners. “Flash In The Pan” and “Planes Are Low” are just the beginning for this multifaceted artist.

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