Forever Elsewhere is the fifth album (plus several singles) from pianist/composer/keyboardist Samer Fanek since his 2016 debut, Wishful Thinking, and I’m very happy to say I’ve reviewed them all! I met Samer in Southern California in early 2017 at a Whisperings Solo Piano Radio event and got to know him a bit then. Later that spring, we did an interview (a new one is coming soon!), and he played a house concert here in Florence, Oregon a month later. I was amazed to learn that Samer has recorded all of his albums in his home studio in Daly City, CA because the sound quality is SO good! Born and raised in Jordan by Jordanian and Polish parents, Samer is a self-taught musician whose music blends genres and cultures while guiding listeners through wide-ranging emotions. I’ve had Forever Elsewhere on repeat the past couple of days and just can’t get enough of it!

Quoting Samer:
“This is a deeply personal album for me, one where I explore the feeling when happiness, clarity or answers seem forever out of reach, while still holding on to the hope that things will work themselves out. At first I had second thoughts about releasing it, maybe because it delves into personal struggles and moments where progress felt impossible, and I wondered if it's okay to share that state of mind to my listeners. But then I thought that when someone feels frustrated and they seek out music that relates to that feeling, it helps them feel understood and validated. I'm hoping that leaning into this kind of vulnerability in the album strengthens the connection I've always wanted to build with people. Perhaps it's no coincidence that music came out of me especially naturally when there is an element of struggle or frustration behind it.”

Forever Elsewhere begins with the title track, a piece for piano and orchestra with a strong rhythm. Sometimes big and bold, and sometimes very gentle and dreamy, it’s an impressive start! “Glass Half Empty” begins and ends as a piano solo, becoming more orchestrated as it evolves while exploring Samer’s occasional pessimistic mindset and poking fun at it. “Fleeting Struggle” is big, bold and very passionate, blending keyboards, orchestra and electric guitars into an unusual combination that really works. “Toward the Unknown” begins with a very mysterious prelude and keeps the piano in the forefront for most of the piece while maintaining a sense of mystery. “Restless” begins with a nervous keyboard energy that fades into the background while the piano and orchestra assume the lead, maintaining the restless feeling of the title. The electric guitar is especially effective in this one! “Endlessly Lost” begins in the upper octaves of the piano before the orchestra enters with a dramatic burst. Dark and deeply emotional, it’s been a favorite since Samer released it as a single in 2021! One of the most intense pieces on the album, the piano stays in the lead on “Scar Away” while the orchestra dances around it. Amazing! The album closes with “One Last Try,” a beautiful heartbreaker for piano, strings (mostly) and percussion.

Forever Elsewhere is one great album! CDs are available from Samer’s website (link below) and Bandcamp. It is available to download and stream on Amazon, Bandcamp and Apple Music/iTunes, as well as on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. VERY highly recommended!