Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Of course, the fifth-place finisher from Season 13 of American Idol has the right to be in a celebratory mood these days.

He just released a fine debut EP, a five-track effort called “Pretend.”

Last spring, Sam sometimes seemed uncomfortable and unsure of himself in the heartthrob role Idol tried to cast him in.

But he seems perfectly assured — not to mention in fine voice — in the singer-songwriter mode reflected by the new EP.

The standout tracks are the title cut, on which Sam gets a background vocal assist from Cindy Mizelle, and “What More Can I Say.”

According to the liner notes, Sam wrote the latter song when he was just 15 and it was revised for release on the EP by Grammy-winning music producer Danny Blume.

In fact, in addition to producing the EP, Blume has a co-writing credit on four of the five tracks.

The exception is “The Same,” another pre-Idol tune that Sam wrote about his romantic interest in a girl who just wanted to be friends.

Want to check out Sam’s new music? All you have to do is head to his YouTube channel. He’s posted full versions of all five songs. Of course, I’ve already embedded the title track. And keep up with Sam through his website.

Sam, now 18, has another big gig coming up next month. He’ll be co-headlining Winterfest in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 28, with the Doobie Brothers.