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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Sam Robbins’ new single “What a Little Love Can Do” from his third album So Much I Still Don’t See, is a poignant blend of stoic reflection and road-worn wisdom born from 45,000 miles of travel and a nation’s heartbreak.
So Much I Still Don’t See
Sam Robbins’ third album, So Much I Still Don’t See, is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a deeply personal reflection of a singer-songwriter’s evolution through his 20s, shaped by relentless touring, expansive adventures, and the quiet introspection that comes from a life on the road. Clocking in at 45,000 miles per year behind the wheel, Robbins has distilled the lessons of hard travel and big experiences into an album that serves as both a milestone in his burgeoning career and a testament to the humility of facing a world far grander than oneself.
For listeners, So Much I Still Don’t See unfolds as a gentle, introspective journey. Recorded live in an old church in Springfield, Massachusetts, the album’s sonic core revolves around Robbins’ solo acoustic guitar and vocals—tracked as they’re performed, raw and unadorned. His worn Martin guitar, purchased new just a few years ago after moving to Nashville, anchors the sound, its weathered strings carrying the weight of countless miles and performances. Subtle layers of upright bass, keyboards, organ, and electric guitar weave through the arrangements, but the focus remains on Robbins’ voice and the stories it tells. The result is a soundscape that mirrors the vastness of the landscapes he’s traversed, paired with the stillness of an inner world revealed through song.
In early 2023, a gift of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations introduced Robbins to the principles of Stoicism, which permeate So Much I Still Don’t See. The Roman Emperor’s writings on resilience, acceptance, and inner peace resonate throughout the album, offering a philosophical lens to the chaos of life on the road. These ideas, absorbed during a year of travel, lend the songs a quiet strength, reflecting Robbins’ search for calm amid the storm of constant motion.
Another profound influence on the album comes from Robbins’ work with Music Therapy Retreats, an organization pairing songwriters with veterans to craft songs from their experiences. This life-affirming collaboration, which began before the recording of So Much I Still Don’t See, has deepened Robbins’ storytelling. The veterans’ openness and courage have drawn out richer emotions and narratives in his own work, infusing the album with a raw, human authenticity.
Sam Robbins
Robbins’ musical DNA is steeped in the soft, direct storytelling of ’70s icons like James Taylor, Jim Croce, and Harry Chapin. Raised in New Hampshire, he recalls weekend drives to the White Mountains with his father, the truck’s stereo spinning a box set of singer-songwriter classics. Those melodies and mountain vistas seeped into his soul, shaping him into what critics have called an “old soul singer-songwriter.” On So Much I Still Don’t See, this influence shines through in the precision and intimacy of his songwriting, where small moments—like a fleeting glance or a quiet revelation—bloom into narratives of universal resonance.
Robbins’ path to this album has been anything but conventional. After a brief appearance on NBC’s The Voice in 2018 and graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2019, he headed to Nashville, immersing himself in the city’s songwriting culture. Five tumultuous years in Music City saw him co-writing country songs five days a week, but it was the road that truly became his home. Now performing over 200 shows annually at listening rooms and festivals nationwide, Robbins has found his stride as a modern troubadour. His return to the Boston area in early 2024 marked the recording of So Much I Still Don’t See, his first project since leaving Nashville behind.
This relentless touring has earned him accolades and a growing reputation. A 2021 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk contest win, a 2022 “Most Wanted to Return” nod at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and mainstage performances at both festivals in 2023 and 2024 highlight his ascent. Robbins’ reach has since expanded to stages like Michigan’s Wheatland Festival and the Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival, with UK critic Mike Davies of Fateau Magazine dubbing him “one of the most promising new songwriters of his generation.”
What A Little Love Can Do
The album’s lead single, “What a Little Love Can Do,” captures a pivotal moment in Robbins’ journey. Written in Nashville in 2023 after news of a local shooting, the song emerged from a solitary session with his guitar. Its opening lines—“It’s gonna be a long road when we look at where we started, one nation broken hearted, always running from ourselves”—spilled out unbidden, a visceral response to a fractured day. What followed was a stream-of-consciousness reflection on two years, 100,000 miles, and hundreds of shows across cities like Birmingham, Detroit, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The song distills the connections forged through travel, emphasizing the power of presence and empathy in a divided world.
Sonically distinct, “What a Little Love Can Do” opens with a stark, tender piano intro by Seth Glier, blending seamlessly with Robbins’ warm guitar and vocals. This interplay mirrors his live performances, making it a fitting introduction to the album’s broader themes.
The Road Ahead
So Much I Still Don’t See is both a culmination and a beginning—a snapshot of Sam Robbins’ growth as an artist and a hint of the stories yet to come. Through its soft soundscape, stoic reflections, and heartfelt narratives, the album invites listeners into the mind of a troubadour who’s seen the expanse of America and found meaning in its quiet corners. For Robbins, the road remains both muse and home, and this third chapter is proof of just how much a little love—and a lot of miles—can do.
Find more from Sam Robbins now:
https://www.instagram.com/samrobbinsmusic
https://www.facebook.com/SamRobbinsMusic
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