Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour

Sam Smith’s speedy swell in popularity over the past few months has been extraordinary. He is delicately modest in all of his public performances, seemingly humble on all of his social media outlets, and ultimately writes good, honest music. The bold and catchy track Latch by Disclosure, on which he first noticeably featured his vocals, launched this artist into  incomprehensible stardom.

His debut album doesn’t disappoint and heavily pens a signature of raw, heart-on-sleeve lyrics and gloriously controlled sound. Good Thing has a charming beat, despite it’s sad tale: “although you made my heart sing, to stay with you would be wrong”. Recent single Stay with Me appears third, and this track is simply electrifying with it’s blunt honesty and exquisite gospel influence. Leave Your Lover is gentle and painful. It’s video shoot spurred a romance rumour between the featured Daisy Lowe and Smith, yet the video actually brings about a discussion of sexuality and where the unrequited love actually lies.

I’m Not the Only One is a great jazzy soother. Like I Can is the most rhythmic mover of a track on this debut, with a nice journey. The album closes with Lay Me Down – arguably one of the most heartbreaking tracks Smith’s exposed.

Smith is quoted: “This album is supposed to be the soundtrack to those quiet moments in life.” It’s certainly not a party album, but it’s emotive and relatable. It’s sincere, it’s human, with well-told stories of heartbreak, laced with modern poetic skill. The record could be more varied in style and theme but doesn’t fail to impress.

Sarah Milton

In the Lonely Hour was released on 26^th May. For further information or to order the album visit Sam Smith’s website here.

Watch the official video for Stay With Me here: