Samantha Fish Burns Bright on Fierce and Fearless New Album ‘Paper Doll

Review By Glen Parkes

Samantha Fish is no stranger to blazing trails, but with her new album Paper Doll, out April 25 via Rounder Records, she sets fire to every expectation and dances in the ashes. After the Grammy-nominated success of Death Wish Blues, Fish delivers a raw, defiant, and emotionally electric record that cements her place as one of modern rock’s most formidable voices. This is her most unfiltered, soul-baring collection to date—and it’s glorious.

From the opening notes of “I’m Done Runnin’,” it’s clear that Samantha is here to reclaim her story. Her guitar snarls with intention, her vocals layered with grit and vulnerability. There’s a newfound power in her restraint—she doesn’t need to shout to dominate a room, her playing and presence speak for themselves. As a songwriter, she’s grown more introspective without sacrificing the bite fans love her for.

“Can Ya Handle The Heat?” wastes no time turning up the intensity with rock swagger, while “Lose You” rides on sultry, retro soul vibes. Each track is meticulously crafted, but never overproduced—thanks in part to producer Bobby Harlow (The Go), whose raw Detroit edge lends an immediacy to the album that’s infectious.

But it’s not just about swagger and shred. Samantha shows her heart in full on the bluesy ballad “Off In The Blue,” and again in “Fortune Teller,” a slow-burn stunner that drips with Southern soul and emotional weight. Her voice aches with the kind of truth you don’t fake. “Sweet Southern Sounds” is another standout, a five-minute triumph that marries slide guitar grit with heartfelt melody and gospel undertones.

The album reaches one of its grittiest, most satisfying highs on “Rusty Razor,” a punk-blues scorcher featuring Mick Collins of The Gories. This collaboration injects the track with chaos and fun, perfectly mirroring the song’s barbed-wire attitude.

Then comes the title track, “Paper Doll.” It’s the heartbeat of the album—fierce, haunting, and brimming with emotional clarity. “I’m no paper doll for you to fold,” Samantha declares. It’s a spine-tingling declaration of self-worth, and one of the most poignant moments in her catalog. By the time we reach the closer “Don’t Say It,” she’s pulled us through heartbreak, redemption, and catharsis, ending on a note that’s defiant yet tender.

Samantha Fish isn’t just singing songs—she’s carving her name into the rock ‘n’ roll canon with every chord. And unlike many artists who find their formula and coast, Paper Doll proves that she’s still evolving, still fearless, and still hungry to push herself further.

This isn’t just a career highlight for Samantha Fish—it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling, guitar-driven swagger, and creative liberation.

Tracklist:

1. I’m Done Runnin’
2. Can Ya Handle The Heat?
3. Lose You
4. Sweet Southern Sounds
5. Off In The Blue
6. Fortune Teller
7. Rusty Razor (feat. Mick Collins)
8. Paper Doll
9. Don’t Say It

With Paper Doll, Samantha Fish delivers a fierce, blues-soaked manifesto of strength and individuality. This is what it sounds like when an artist finds their voice and refuses to be silenced. Essential listening.