Album Review: Sam Smith - In The Lonely Hour
The long-awaited debut album from the Brit Award Critics Choice winner Sam Smith is finally upon us. In The Lonely Hour is a look into the life of the 22-year-old, with stark and beautiful songs telling stories of unrequited love. The desolate sounding title is truly a reflection of the album’s content as Smith pours the last few years of his life on to the record.
Katy Perry has even dubbed him the male Adele, which is terribly fitting – good analysis there Perry. Smith’s gorgeous, soulful voice and often heartbreaking lyrics are more than able to capture the attention of the world the way Adele did two years ago.
Comparing the album with debut single ‘Money On My Mind’, he demonstrates how he can flit between chart busting singles and real, earnest musicianship. He’s a real star. Follow up ‘Stay With Me’ brings out the gospel, soul aspect of this lad’s artistry.
The new single ‘Leave Your Lover’ is one of the album’s finest moments, if not an example of one of the best releases this year. It is a delicate number that reaches for the heart the way Smith’s female counterpart Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ did. It’s a hefty comparison, but one that isn’t entirely ludicrous. The video for which brings into question Smiths ambiguous sexuality. Not that this is really an issue in today’s culture, especially when the music is so good. This is the most interesting aspect in some ways as the music really is the main focus and does all the talking.
‘Leave You Lover’ is similar to ‘Not In That Way’ with its restrained, graceful sound as well as its content. Alluding to loving someone, but not in the typical way, Smith’s sexuality arises again. However it is so gentle and affecting, the message can be left for your own mind to decipher. This truly is the case for In The Lonely Hour; it is an album for everyone. Ultimately, this record feel classic in that respect. These songs could have been crafted years before, yet with any luck, will feel just as relevant and fresh for decades to come.
It’s not completely ballad heavy however, with morale boosting tracks such as the incredible ‘Like I Can’ and, surely the next single, ‘I’m Not The Only One’. Both, although dissimilar to the youthful ‘Money On My Mind’, are representations of Smith’s out of this world vocal abilities of which match a keen ear for timeless melody.
Don’t take it the wrong way because the record maintains a very modern sheen throughout and never sounds dated. ‘Life Support’ and ‘Lay Me Down’ should certainly stand as present day standards of a ballad. It’s refreshing to hear songs such as these without the disruption of electronic interference. What a way to keep it classy Sam. We like it.
Coming in at ten tracks long, you may also want to turn your head towards the deluxe edition of In The Lonely Hour which features a striking acoustic cover of ‘Latch’, Smith’s collaboration with the Disclosure boys as well as the Naughty Boy hit ‘La La La’. It’s definitely worth the extra couple of quid especially considering the quality of bonus songs ‘Reminds Me Of You’ and the Zane Lowe produced ‘Restart’.
This could genuinely be an album that shakes the United States too, with second single ‘Stay With Me’ already bubbling around the top 50 over there. In The Lonely Hour does evoke sadness though, both in tone and theme, but it also feels cathartic as it blows away the dust of what must have been a tough year or so for Smith. It will be good times from here on out for Mr Sam Smith as this record will firmly nestle itself into the arms of its public.
Standout tracks: ‘Leave Your Lover’ / ‘I’m Not The Only One’ / ‘Like I Can’ / ‘Not In That Way’
In The Lonely Hour is available to download now from Amazon or iTunes.
(Original article link:Â http://sosogay.co.uk/2014/album-review-sam-smith-lonely-hour)
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