Some of you pop-culture-savvy readers might already be familiar with Sam Palladio through his portrayal of Gunnar Scott on ABC’s hit drama series Nashville, yet what you might not know is that he’s also a solo artist in his own right. If this is news to you, then we have the perfect introductory track in the form of ‘Glitter’, which not only showcases his gorgeous pop vocals, but is also a recent evolution in his songwriting style. It displays a more vulnerable and emotionally open version of Sam’s creativity, which has resulted in this unexpectedly euphoric musing on longing, heartbreak, unrequited love and loneliness.

Co-written with Aron Rosing, ‘Glitter’ is the kind of track that leans into contrast. From the very start, you can’t escape that danceable beat and romantic melodies, which could easily suit a track about falling in love and finding the one. Yet, Sam subverts expectations by describing his own condition of solitude, “I’m under the covers,” with that of his unattainable crush or ex’s elevation, “she’s covered in glitter.” We’ve all been there, isolating ourselves in our bedroom while scrolling through another’s highlights reel. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy. ‘Glitter’ is such a raw and relatable message wrapped up in an inescapably catchy hook.

“This song is about finding my feet again in a modern dating world … it’s a classic unrequited love sad boy pop song that, sonically, feels like an undeniable dance tune. I hope it captures the feeling of longing for someone, but also makes you want to dance through the loneliness.”

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