Sam Smith's fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, marks a return to their singer-songwriter roots, capturing the bloom of falling deeply in love. The album, released via Capitol on 21 August, follows their relocation to New York City three years ago to be with their fiancé, designer Christian Cowan, and reflects a newfound sense of peace and intimacy.
A Shift to Intimacy and Authenticity
On their new album, Smith subverts traditional songwriting tropes to tell a queer love story. The album's smoky opener, Everlasting Love, was written the night before meeting Cowan, with the second half reflecting on their three years together. Smith, who co-produced the album for the first time, says, "I've always been very hands on with my music, but I never felt like I could really put my name on the credit. I've realised that I'm not just a singer and a songwriter, I'm an artist."
The album's soundscape channels a dusky, 70s blend of blues, folk, R&B, and outlaw country. The process was looser than Smith's past experiences in structured writing rooms, where recording had to be done "completely sober and all had to happen between the hours of 10am and 5pm." Hazel Eyes was written at all hours, including tequila-tinged 1am studio sessions with the Dap-Kings, the late Sharon Jones's band. Smith describes it as "so freeing, what music's about."
Navigating Fame and Controversy
Smith, who broke out at 20 with Disclosure's 2012 hit Latch, has faced harsh controversies throughout their career. Their 2014 debut In the Lonely Hour featured the mega-hit Stay With Me and won them an Oscar for the Bond theme Writing's on the Wall in 2015. Since coming out as non-binary in 2017, they have been frequently attacked by rightwing commentators. The release of their expressive last album, Gloria, in 2023, sparked a media storm, with videos for Unholy and I'm Not Here to Make Friends accused of being oversexualised.
Smith moved to New York for positive reasons, finding sanctuary as a queer person. "When I got here and was able to walk in the street and feel no judgment, I realised that I was very happy to have found a sanctuary in New York City as a queer person," they say. The peace in their life and music was largely achieved after relocating from the UK.
Redefining Success on Their Own Terms
Smith's global success, with sales and streaming figures in the echelons of Elton John and Freddie Mercury, has not shielded them from the nasty undercurrents of fame. They were at their "most depressed or creatively stunted" while chasing global competition, but now focus on emotional truth rather than worrying about hooks. This led to "uncomfortable moments" with their label, with Smith having to say "I just wanted to keep the business out of the music."
Smith's relationship with their audience has shifted. "There's some wonderful people that have stayed, but it's a completely different room than it was with In the Lonely Hour," they say. They have found happiness in meeting fans again after a period of shunning selfies, which had led to depression. "After a lot of therapy, I actually have started to find the happiness and the joy of meeting people," Smith says. "I'm a healthy person right now, so I'm able to juggle more."
Looking Forward with Hope
Smith acknowledges the challenges faced by trans people in the UK, saying "it's incredibly hard." They established the Pink House foundation two years ago to support the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on "the realities of situations and hope for a better future." Their favourite haunt in New York is Julius', a gay bar in the West Village, where some of Hazel Eyes was written on the counter. Photos of Smith line its walls, including one by fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan and another with Alicia Keys from a 10th anniversary celebration of In the Lonely Hour.
"I'm a political artist, whether I want to be or not, so my audience is in flux at times," Smith says. "I am singing for me, ultimately, and I'm singing to the sky and whoever hears it." With all but their third album topping the UK charts, Hazel Eyes is set to find an audience, as Smith continues to carve out a legacy defined by authenticity and queer visibility.
