Issue 8 – SINGLES REVIEWS: Erase Me, Replace Me, Samira Manners

Words: Nicole Porter

The third single from Samira’s EP ‘the house we built’ sheds light on the grief and hurt that comes with a relationship ending.

Set over acoustic folk guitar and earthy drums, Samira’s ‘erase me, replace me!’ holds its anger at a past lover while equally reeling in the confidence of knowing that person will always remember you and, subsequently, how they treated you in the sarcasm of its lyrics: “I will always haunt these walls”.

The chorus, layered in beautiful harmonies, captures the self-trust and resilience that anchor someone through hard times. The song moves seamlessly into the second verse, which complements the emotions discussed in the chorus. However, the verse is more playful and cheeky while also being highly exposing and personal: “never good enough, well it should be my middle name,” showing the scars left behind, even though the relationship no longer exists. 

For me, the highlight of this song comes in the pre-chorus; Samira’s emotional delivery highlights the inner turmoil between what you know is true and what someone is telling you as Samira sings “Pull the rug on our love, make it my mistake, but how am I to blame?” Her voice begins to boil over, and the final chorus serves as catharsis for the journey she was thrust into. 

If ‘erase me, replace me’ is an indicator of what’s to come, Samira’s next EP will be a triumph of beautifully emotive storytelling.