Covering a song as beloved as Catfish and the Bottlemen’s ‘7’ is never an easy task, but Sam Sample and Cam Harper pull it off with ease. Rather than trying to recreate the original, the pair take it somewhere entirely different, reimagining the indie favourite through a warm Americana lens that feels both fresh and genuine.
From the opening moments, the track settles into a laid-back acoustic groove, trading the original’s driving energy for something more intimate and reflective. It’s a change that works surprisingly well, allowing the emotion at the heart of the song to take centre stage. Sample and Harper’s voices complement each other beautifully throughout, with their harmonies adding an extra layer of warmth and sincerity.
What makes this cover stand out is how natural it feels. You can hear the duo’s affection for the original, but they’re not afraid to put their own stamp on it. With subtle folk influences, rich production from Garrett Hall, and a gradual build that pays off in all the right places, the track manages to feel familiar while offering something new.
For Sam Sample, it’s another impressive release from an artist who continues to grow with every project. If this cover is anything to go by, there’s plenty to be excited about as she looks ahead to her next album.
