Sam Smith announces 'liberating' fourth studio album GLORIA

English singer-songwriter Sam Smith has announced their fourth studio album GLORIA, which is set for release on January 27th, 2023 via Capitol Records.

According to a press release, the 13-track record will be the Londoner's "boldest statement yet".

The record's lead single 'Unholy', a collaboration with pop diva Kim Petras, dropped in September after going viral on TikTok. The track, which has become Smith's eighth No. 1 hit, has already garnered over 180 million Spotify streams and was accompanied by a glamorous music video.

"I am overjoyed to announce that my fourth album is called 'GLORIA'," Smith told fans as they shared the cover art of the forthcoming LP on Instagram.

"I’m feeling overwhelmed and emotional as I start to let go of Gloria and hand this work over to you. It has been magical in every way to make this piece of music and by giving this record to you I am giving you part of my heart and soul," they said.

"Gloria got me through some dark times and was a beacon for me in my life. I hope it can be that for you. Thank you for waiting so long. Only a few months now. Sam x"

GLORIA can be pre-ordered and pre-saved here.

 

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In a press release, Smith described the album as an "emotional, sexual and spiritual liberation" that let them sing freely again. "Oddly, it feels like my first-ever record. And it feels like a coming of age," the Grammy, Brit, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning artist added.

The record was produced between Los Angeles, Jamaica and London and features collaborations with the likes of Jimmy Napes, Stargate and ILYA. It follows Smith's 2020 LP Love Goes.

During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show last week, Smith revealed what inspired the single 'Unholy'. "This song is about being part of someone's secret that you don't want to be a part of," the singer told Clarkson. "Being in the music industry, I've spent a lot of time with a lot of guys and a lot of dirty pigs. I've been part of secrets I didn't want to be a part of sometimes... I hate secrets. I'm not into it."

This year saw their comeback to music with the melancholic track 'Love Me More'. The ballad includes the lyrics "Have you ever felt like being somebody else? Feeling like the mirror isn't good for your health?" and will also appear on the album.

Smith is set to headline two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London this weekend, October 21st and 22nd, 2022. They will perform some of their biggest hits as well as new material from GLORIA.

Pre-order and pre-save the album here.

Watch the music video for 'Unholy' below.