Samantha Gongol Emerges With a Brutally Honest Banger in “Flash in the Pan”
Samantha Gongol is no stranger to the rush of the limelight. Her voice is recognized as half of the platinum-selling duo Marian Hill. Now stepping up to the plate as a solo artist, her debut single “Flash in the Pan” is a prolific pop-tinged anthem that muses on the relationship between femininity and stardom. Gongol grapples with her insecurities of getting older and feels the spotlight dim with every year that passes. “Flash in the Pan” is about triumphing over these societal pressures and making art in spite of them.
“Flash in the Pan” glows with saccharine riffs, nostalgic electronic beats as iridescent as the '80s, and a crystal clear vocal that cuts right to the core. She sings, “I wanted the song to last / But I killed the lights and cut the track / And a crowd of people headed for the door.” She expresses a desire to live in her prime forever, countered by the fear of her peak passing her by. It addresses the elephant in the industry; no one can be the “it girl” forever.
Directed by Matty Vogel, the music video captures Samantha in a silver-sequined leotard in front of a red curtain. Her choreography draws parallels to old Hollywood, making “Flash in the Pan” feel like a cautionary tale as old as time. Gongol’s generation isn’t the first to struggle with ageism in entertainment, and it certainly won’t be the last.
For a debut single, “Flash in the Pan” demonstrates self-awareness, natural magnetism, and raw power that could only be attributed to Gongol’s impressive career in music thus far. Keeping the momentum high, she plans to follow this single with its counterpart “Planes are Low” in two weeks. Reentering the scene with a statement, “Flash in the Pan” marks a whole new era for Samantha Gongol.
Watch the "Flash in the Pan" video below: