Forever Elsewhere By Samer Fanek

 

Forever Elsewhere

By

Samer Fanek

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The most powerful form of expression is to create a musical offering so commanding, that a listener will be moved to a well of deep emotions, and will reveal their deepest felt passions, Samer Fanek has always been a master of the art, and now with each passing year, this alchemist of emotive piano improves exponentially, his latest album Forever Elsewhere is a fine example of that aforementioned statement.

I was therefore delighted to see Samer choosing his title track as his opening piece, never has a musical brush painted so beautifully, this passionate symphonic creation is a place of pure desire, a fervidness of power and intensity, and one of the finest title tracks from the artist thus far on Forever Elsewhere.

The following narrative Glass Half Empty thrilled listeners earlier on this year as a single, this once again full flowing piano with added instrumentation, with a touch of a jazz influence is gratefully included in the release, whilst fellow single of 2025 Fleeting Struggle is also added, this pacey global ethic of a release still thrills me to listen to it to this day.

So into the darker realms we go as we reach the deep cities of mystery, with the track Toward the Unknown. It is a slower piece, more ponderous in nature, like we are seeking with the artist, something that has of yet been discovered, there is a fluency here that reminds of Argentinian pianist Matias Bacoñsky and the passion is the same too.

The mid way marker has been reached and called Caught in Circles, this is a curious offering; its resonance is clock wise, its energy, seems to fall forward and back, brass is included here in one of the most fascinating creations from the artist.

The hovering keyboard narrative of this next piece called Restless was a new location of music for Fanek, combining a sensual beat, a jazzy piano, but a bass line that was truly driven; this would be my creative choice for listeners, one with an even mild progressive rock element combined within too.

Time ticks by ever so slowly, but this thief of always moves forward, onward without care, on Endlessly Lost we have a powerful piece that in its initial stages reminds me a little of how Nightwish used to build and progress a long form offering. Here Fanek shows his own desires; musical urges to manifest something deeply meaningful and he of course succeeds with utter ease.

The solo piano on Inner Collapse is a brilliantly artistic moment, so much so it reminded me that this would fit with ease on any new Tim Burton movie, its haunting notes, its mysterious essence all contribute to making it a fine solo track, one with the perfect coda for the subject matter.

The last but one piece from the release is the fast paced Scar Away, this resolute offering is true Samer Fanek territory, one that I also detected a slight Beatles influence later on in the arrangement a clever penultimate manifestation indeed.

The concluding narrative is called One Last Try, it’s a strong offering, one that utilises a sense of unyielding persistence within its build and progression, the performance slowly gains confidence as it goes, and reminds me of the style of brilliant US pianist Wayne Bethanis in its structure, build and progression, and simply the perfect ending for a classy album.

Forever Elsewhere by Samer Fanek maybe his first album since 2022 and Call Of the Desert, but I think the pianist here has nailed it, this new release is cogent, fluent, powerful, touching, romantic and passionate and with ease it should be a huge hit for Samer Fanek, the alchemist of emotional piano.