Sam Millar - ‘Radio Gouda’

Here it is, Radio Gouda, the tongue in cheek titled second E.P to emanate from Sam Millar in less than 12 months. After reviewing the last masterpiece in the guise of ‘Holy Sass’ last year, I just had to cast my ears over the new ode to fromage this time around.

Sam has made what might be a jokingly titled release but it contains a set of songs that you will find near to impossible to get out of your head. After the lead intro track ‘Radio Gouda’ provides its broadcast intro from DJ Dairylea it all kicks off in style with ‘Human’, a cowbell and tight little guitar riff intro leads into Sam’s Pop Rock vocal style which works so well.

‘Human’ is of course seriously catchy stuff, so it is going to feel rather strange to write this next line and one that I will NEVER repeat in any review again, so here goes; The chorus sounds like it could have walked out of the One Direction track - ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ (God that really hurt writing that, hopefully, that wasn’t the direction Sam was aiming for…….or was it?!) there is an honest similarity, check it out!

‘Forbidden’ was the first taster track released from the E.P and it feels like it has a message about the current day plight the world is in right now. The sentiment may never have been more relevant with things as they are at present, things may be ‘Forbidden’ but keep in mind the good times as they will be back one day, some time and they will be alive and kickin’! Another truly infectious, feelgood, earworm of a song!

‘Let It Rain’ is the softest, pop led song on the release, nice harmonious vocals give way to what is still an uplifting little number, with guitars taking more of a back seat on this one.

‘Sober’ is a track with a break up message attached, softer sounding guitars providing the backdrop sound for the most part in this track with some great, thoughtful solo work intertwined between Sam’s own distinctive vocal style.

The E.P plays out with the latest release – ‘Levi’s’, this one leads the way amongst the pack for the most AOR rock led song and vocally and musically it is on point. It also includes one of Sam’s best chat up lines in the shape of “You make me feel like my Levi’s are too tight!” (this one is up there with other such one-liner chat ups for example – “You remind me of a magnet, because you sure are attracting me over here” and “Aside from being sexy, what do you do for a living?”, have you used these yet Sam?)

This E.P is a pure solo effort and the songs are as catchy and memorable as anything you will hear right now. Whilst it could benefit from an odd tweak or two in the production, this is still a great effort for a one man show and it is apparent that Sam’s obvious talent should go on to greater things and hopefully a full-length release in the very near future.

‘Radio Gouda’ is released on June 5th, 2020

Track listing:

1. Radio Gouda

2. Human

3. Forbidden

4. Let it rain

5. Sober

6. Levi’s

Pre-order directly from: www.sammillar.co.uk

You can also catch Sam Millar and the Sass Bandits live at

The Boulevard in Wigan on 3rd October 2020 – (Covid-19 dependent of course)