sam smith in the lonely hour album tracklist

He may just be, as his debut record 'In The Lonely Hour' shows with his wide vocal range that also is both empowering and passionate, along with beautiful instrumentation that laces a good portion of the freshman record. Europe has adored this then-unknown singer-songwriter, with numerous people proclaiming him to be the male version of fellow British singer Adele. Few artists obtain the richness and wide vocal ability that Smith has, a crooning voice that is both empowering and passionate. His singles with Disclosure and Naughty Boy have done nothing but earn him massive acclaim, as well as give him multple opportunities to make his presence felt in other regions of the globe. Sam Smith is having himself a career year, especially with the entire music establishment looking to him. It is a safe debut album, but I think Smith has the talent to mature as a song writer and deliver something truly remarkable.Review Summary: The proclaimed 'male version of Adele' brings in a solid debut record that sees Smith directing his music for a more sadder tone. Right now, what he lacks are the same thematically homogenous tunes, but differing delivery. Instead of going for the strong belt and screaming that is meant to cram insincere emotion down listeners’ throats, he displays restraint and raw emotion that made Adele such a sensation. Sam Smith drives the album as a vocalist. However, this is where my Adele comparison comes in. After the fourth song you realize that it’s just going to be one serving of desperate yearning delivered in easy to take tablets of pop and soul. Where my praise turns to some criticism is that there is a monotony in the tone of the album. The album could have quickly fell to something insincere matching what he was just condemning in “Money on My Mind”, but instead it takes a genuine approach through soulful R&B tunes like “Stay With Me” and “Good Thing.” It’s a theme that makes for some powerful songs that purge the emotion of a man who is almost frustrated with what his love life has become. I understand the compulsion to have a cohesive theme on an album. Adele did it with 21 and its theme of scorned love and Arcade Fire had The Suburbs’ theme of regret and wasted youth, but Sam Smith decides to go with the hopeless yearning and complaints of unrequited love. However, the rest of the album doesn’t hold up to its fantastic opening.

I think it’s Smith’s defining song on the album and of him as an artist. The neat production by Two Inch Punch and Smith’s punchy vocals make for a compelling song about denouncing the entire music industry structure from writing for taste or being a puppet to the industry. It’s reminiscent of a song off of Disclosure’s Settle. It treads along the line of a new string of artists condemning the luxurious lifestyle that has swept the industry. “Money on My Mind” is such a strong start to the album and probably one of the best of the album. However, my biggest issues with the album are rooted in the music itself. His contributions to “Latch ” and Naughty Boy’s “La La La” are invaluable, but I think that they are put to best use in this album. He has been on my radar since I discovered him through Disclosure’s single “Latch.” There’s no denying that he has a phenomenal and unique voice that should be capitalized on. There was one thing on my mind when I first listened through Sam Smith’s debut album “In the Lonely Hour” and that was Adele.

Sam smith in the lonely hour album tracklist