Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Susanne (class of 2026) and features Samara Joy’s 2024 album Portrait. Thanks, Susanne!
If you’re in the mood for something warm, timeless, and smooth on the ears, Portrait by Samara Joy is the kind of record you can sink into. The album leans into classic jazz tradition with standards and old-school arrangements, but it doesn’t feel stuck in the past. Joy’s voice has this effortless clarity and control that makes every song feel intimate, like she’s singing right across the room from you. There’s a sense of confidence and ease in Joy’s sound and artistic choices that makes the whole album feel inviting.
Portrait is especially charming because of how personal it feels. Even though many of the songs are standards, Joy approaches them like she’s gently reshaping them to fit her own story and style. The arrangements are rich but never overwhelming, giving her voice plenty of space to shine, and the overall vibe is cozy, familiar, and reflective. I found that it’s the kind of album I like to put on when I want to slow down a bit and just let the music wrap around me. The vinyl is available at Parsons Music Library, so definitely go check it out!
