02 before it begins (with Medasin)
"before it begins" marks the first step on life’s path, the entry point into the world of Samsara Passengers, and the album’s first single. It carries a sense of anticipation, the moment before the most important journey begins - the journey of life itself.
Musical Atmosphere
The track is built on intriguing textures and pitch-shifted elements that create a sense of distorted reality - as if perception is not yet fully formed. The central focus is on Peruvian influences, featuring pan flute and quena flute, instruments deeply connected to ancient spiritual traditions in Latin America. These flutes give the track an archaic feel, as if we are hearing echoes from another dimension. Combined with shamanic chants that resemble ritual incantations, the composition takes on a deeply mystical character.
Yet despite its mystical nature, "before it begins" is an incredibly warm and kind-hearted track. There is no tension or drama - only a sense of comfort, safety, and a bright, expectant mood. This is the state before the first breath, when there is no attempt to understand the world yet - we simply exist as one with it.
Meaning & Concept
The single’s artwork features an unborn baby in the womb - a visual symbol of preparation for life, the moment before birth, before the soul enters this world. This phase is neither life nor nonexistence; it is timeless, boundless, and serene.
How This Track Fits Into the Album
"before it begins" represents the moment before birth - a state between emptiness and the first breath. Following "shifting sands", which introduces the listener to a world in flux, this track captures the feeling of impending beginning - yet it has not quite arrived. It is the space between two worlds, where new life is about to emerge.
Collaboration with Medasin
This track was created in collaboration with Medasin, a producer known for his unique approach to sound. He blends electronic and organic textures, crafting intricate layers with deep emotional resonance. In "before it begins", his signature can be heard in the ambient textures and floating, pitch-shifted melodic lines that drift through the composition. The track carries a sense of airiness and weightlessness, as if the music itself embraces the listener, creating a space where they can simply exist.
Musical Atmosphere
The track is built on intriguing textures and pitch-shifted elements that create a sense of distorted reality - as if perception is not yet fully formed. The central focus is on Peruvian influences, featuring pan flute and quena flute, instruments deeply connected to ancient spiritual traditions in Latin America. These flutes give the track an archaic feel, as if we are hearing echoes from another dimension. Combined with shamanic chants that resemble ritual incantations, the composition takes on a deeply mystical character.
Yet despite its mystical nature, "before it begins" is an incredibly warm and kind-hearted track. There is no tension or drama - only a sense of comfort, safety, and a bright, expectant mood. This is the state before the first breath, when there is no attempt to understand the world yet - we simply exist as one with it.
Meaning & Concept
The single’s artwork features an unborn baby in the womb - a visual symbol of preparation for life, the moment before birth, before the soul enters this world. This phase is neither life nor nonexistence; it is timeless, boundless, and serene.
How This Track Fits Into the Album
"before it begins" represents the moment before birth - a state between emptiness and the first breath. Following "shifting sands", which introduces the listener to a world in flux, this track captures the feeling of impending beginning - yet it has not quite arrived. It is the space between two worlds, where new life is about to emerge.
Collaboration with Medasin
This track was created in collaboration with Medasin, a producer known for his unique approach to sound. He blends electronic and organic textures, crafting intricate layers with deep emotional resonance. In "before it begins", his signature can be heard in the ambient textures and floating, pitch-shifted melodic lines that drift through the composition. The track carries a sense of airiness and weightlessness, as if the music itself embraces the listener, creating a space where they can simply exist.
Medasin (real name Grant Nelson) is a Texas-born producer and multi-genre artist who began making beats at age 12. His early work leaned on hip-hop influences (Dilla, Madlib, Flying Lotus) before evolving into a hybrid electronic style that fuses emotional textures, experimental sound design, and accessible melodies. Over time, he gained recognition for remixes for names like Portugal. The Man, Martin Garrix, DJ Khaled, Jahkoy, and Schoolboy Q, among others.
On the creative side, Medasin is also known for his sample packs (many on Splice) and for being generous with his sonic tools - inviting other producers to remix, reinterpret, or transform his sounds. Following a quieter period, he reemerged in 2023 with the album Always In a Hurry, marking a renewed phase in his artistic development. Beyond electronic music, he traverses ambient, pop, R&B, and alternative, demonstrating his adaptability. He has amassed 85+ million streams across platforms and has collaborated on projects and placements for brands like Toyota, Fortnite, Foot Locker, and more.
On the creative side, Medasin is also known for his sample packs (many on Splice) and for being generous with his sonic tools - inviting other producers to remix, reinterpret, or transform his sounds. Following a quieter period, he reemerged in 2023 with the album Always In a Hurry, marking a renewed phase in his artistic development. Beyond electronic music, he traverses ambient, pop, R&B, and alternative, demonstrating his adaptability. He has amassed 85+ million streams across platforms and has collaborated on projects and placements for brands like Toyota, Fortnite, Foot Locker, and more.
