Fresh out of earning his first Billboard entry with the viral single “To The Moon,” Sam Tompkins released a new mini-album on March 18. Titled Who Do You Pray To, the seven-track EP touches on coping mechanisms and the importance of family. 

In a virtual press conference ahead of the EP release, the English singer described the project as “honest.” Sam Tompkins is known for his personal and intimate songs. He combines warm lyrics with contemporary pop touches over captivating vocals, as evident in this project.

The Family Trilogy 

Sam Tompkins pays homage to his family in “Hero,” “Bloodline,” and “My Brother.” Dedicated to his father, Sam cites “Hero” as the most challenging song to make, yet his favorite song on the album. Sam details having to go through several stages to find the perfect sound for “Hero.” Explaining the inspiration behind “Hero,” released in January, Sam reveals that it was a message of hope to his father, who became distant after separating from his mother. Initially resenting his father, he reconciled with him after hearing his father’s struggles. In the accompanying music video for “Hero,” Sam Tompkins plays his father. 

In “Bloodline,” Sam Tompkins pays tribute to his late grandfather, Eric White. Penned down two days after the transition of his grandfather, Sam describes “Bloodline” as the most challenging song to write. Showing his grief, Sam sings, “Few days since you were gone, and I’ve recognized the change.” The third member of Sam’s family to be acknowledged in the project is his brother. On the fourth track of the mini-album, “My Brother,” Sam sings about his relationship with each family member, expressing his desire to be like his brother. 

Raw and Deep Emotions

His music reflects the struggles and emotions of the average person, giving them melodies that make them feel represented and heard. Staying true to his style, Tompkins displays this in “The Deceiver,” “In My Life,” “Whole,” and the title track “Who Do You Pray To When You Don’t Believe in God?” A notable highlight of “In My Life,” the first song on the mini-album, is the affirmative lyric “I am strong! I am brave.” The title track, a bit daring, sees Tompkins talk about faith. Describing the title track, Sam asks, “when you are not sure what you believe in a spiritual sense, what other things get you through hard times?” “The Deceiver” takes an emotional turn with Sam singing about hiding one’s true feelings while “Whole” touches on loneliness. Written during the lockdown, Sam wanted listeners to recognize that they are never truly alone. 

Knowing Sam Tompkins 

Two words to describe Sam would be confident and multi-talented. The Brighton native attributes his confidence and freedom to his busking days. Today, he expresses it in his fashion sense, opting to paint his nails when he feels like it. A man of many talents, Sam actively participates in the writing and composing of his songs. He is also a skilled guitarist who would love to learn the piano someday. Sam’s uniqueness has caught the attention of celebrities such as Elton John, Bebe Rexha, Justin Bieber. He also gained a fanbase of people who enjoy his covers on TikTok and YouTube. Speaking of a memorable experience with fans, Sam disclosed his first trip to Los Angeles was paid for by a fan who then hosted him for two weeks. 

Listen to Who Do You Pray To on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. Want to discover more music content? Read all about Kajo’s recent album here.