Colin 
Samira Manners returns with ‘house we built’, a moving release that captures the quiet devastation of feeling shut out from a life you once held together. Out today, the track marks an important new moment for the Swedish British artist as she steps into a deeper and more vulnerable style of storytelling. With a sound rooted in indie pop and acoustic singer songwriter traditions, Samira delivers a performance that feels intimate, unguarded and full of emotional clarity.
After relocating from Sweden to London, Samira has been steadily building a reputation for work that sits between gentle confession and cinematic atmosphere. ‘house we built’ pushes those qualities even further. Co produced by Remi Rorschach and King Tut, the single brings together soft guitars, shadowy textures and a vocal delivery that carries a strong sense of longing. Samira explores the feeling of returning to a place that should feel like home, only to realise it no longer reflects who you are or what you hoped for. It is a striking portrait of loss without bitterness, built on detailed writing and a voice that never overstates its point.
Samira has always shown a gift for subtle storytelling. Her work blends emotional precision with a warm tone that makes the listener feel close to every line. ‘house we built’ leans into that strength. Each verse unfolds with control, showing how hard it is when the space you once trusted becomes unrecognisable. By pairing the intimacy of her delivery with wide, atmospheric production, the track creates a world that feels both delicate and full of weight. It is the kind of songwriting that lingers because it reveals truth through understatement rather than spectacle.
A story shaped by memory
The song mirrors the experience of returning to a place that once felt safe. Samira captures the discomfort of walking through familiar corners that no longer carry comfort, and the ache that comes when the foundation of a relationship crumbles. ‘house we built’ offers a clear snapshot of that moment. It listens like a letter left behind in a quiet kitchen, one you read long after the door has closed. The production grows around her voice without overwhelming it, giving the track a sense of space that matches the theme of absence.
Remi Rorschach and King Tut help frame the vocal with warmth and detail. The arrangement moves in slow pulses, letting guitar lines, soft percussion and slight electronic flourishes expand around the melody. This approach gives Samira room to deliver each phrase with openness. The blend of acoustic elements and cinematic layers creates a distinctive sound that suits her writing style. Fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Maisie Peters and Jensen McRae will feel at home, though Samira avoids imitation and focuses instead on clarity and emotional presence.
Review
‘house we built’ is a beautifully crafted release that shows why Samira Manners stands out as a compelling new voice in the UK scene. The song unfolds with a calm grace that feels measured yet full of emotion. From the first line, Samira invites the listener into a world shaped by small details and large feelings. Her vocal restraint becomes a strength, giving the words room to breathe. The soft swell of the chorus carries a quiet sense of acceptance rather than anger, which makes the song even more affecting.
The production supports every shift in her delivery. Guitar tones sit close to the ear, while atmospheric accents rise and fall like steady breaths. The mix is spacious, leaving enough stillness for the weight of her words to land. Samira’s performance is expressive without leaning into drama. She keeps the emotion grounded, which gives the final chorus a strong sense of release. It is a track that grows stronger with each listen.
What makes ‘house we built’ so striking is its honesty. It avoids exaggeration and focuses on the real experience of losing the life you thought you were building. Samira captures the moment when memory and present collide, and she does so with maturity and precision. This release feels like a step into a new phase of her artistry, one marked by confidence in her writing and a clear vision for her sound.
You can follow Samira Manners over on Instagram.