Sam Smith comes very highly recommended. The UK crooner featured on kings of cool Disclosure’s Settle album – providing vocals on ‘Latch’ – before both winning himself a BRIT Critics’ Choice award and topping the BBC’s Sound of 2014 list. Not bad going for a fresh-faced 22-year-old.
And so now he releases his much-anticipated debut. Guess what? As a collection, In The Lonely Hour is so soulful we defy you not to break down in tears as you listen. More cynical types may sneer at earnest, piano-led ballads like ‘Leave Your Lover’ and ‘Life Support’, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find there’s substance – not to mention a very impressive vocal talent – on this smooth collection.
Album opener ‘Money On My Mind’ marries a killer hook with sweet soul over understated dance beats; ‘Stay With Me’ is a lighters-in-the-air job complete with gospel choir; while ‘I’m Not The Only One’ is laidback, funky soul at its finest. Yes, teenage girls fresh from a break-up with their first love will probably play this album on repeat, but – be warned – even the harder hearted among us might just feel compelled to do the same.