When I first heard Sam Smith’s debut album In The Lonely Hour, I was immediately reminded of the same things that struck me when I first heard 21 by Adele. Undeniable and generational vocal talent, timeless musical arrangements, piano-driven ballads, and an innate ability to draw the listener in and make them feel like they’re sitting right next to Smith in the studio listening to him belt out the whole thing.
Where Smith separates himself from a lot of his pop contemporaries is his gospel influence. It’s all there– the chord progressions, the note choices, the choir accompaniment, and most importantly, the soul. Although numerous songwriters were brought in to help Smith write, you can tell these are all personal in some way to his experience. That shines throughout the entirety of the album.
A wonderful album for just about any occassion.
Standout Songs: “Stay With Me”, “Like I Can”, “I’m Not The Only One”
