The album’s third hit single, I’m Not the Only One, reached number three in the UK and number five in the US. The album includes the hit singles Money On My Mind and Stay with Me, both of which were number one in the UK the latter becoming a hit worldwide, peaking in the top ten in over 20 countries, including reaching number two in the US. He commands the listener to pay attention and by the end of the album Smith ensures that his time in the lonely hour is over – everybody will want a piece of Sam Smith now.In the Lonely Hour is the debut studio album by English recording artist Sam Smith. What is important here is the vocal treatment, and Smith really does have it. He’s not made a big deal out of it – it’s out there, it’s in plain sight, but it’s not important. “Leave your lover, leave him for me,” Smith begs. But its meaning is still ambivalent, and the recent bold video will help to clarify. It’s gorgeous in its simplicity and the listener really has to pay careful attention to the lyrics in order to experience what it is the singer is trying to express. In The Lonely Hour perhaps most is at it’s most profound on ‘Leave Your Lover’, a subtle song that perfectly showcases Smith’s silky vocal. Smith wants the listener to know that he isn’t after money – he’s doing it for the love, and love recurs throughout. ‘Money On My Mind’ is perhaps the most upbeat song on the album and it’s clear why it’s the album opener. There’s a real sense of urgency here, as though he’s desperate to express exactly what it is he’s wanting to tell his lover. ‘Like I Can’ is a positive song about Smith expressing his love for someone (as is pretty much every track on In The Lonely Hour) with an infectious chorus that sweeps the listener away. It’s decent enough in itself, but the tracklisting is perhaps the problem here – had it been listed later in the album it may have been able to shine more. Equally ‘Good Thing’ becomes somewhat forgettable, but that’s only because it’s placed in the middle of some stunning songs. The album dips somewhat in the middle section, with ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and ‘I’ve Told You Now’ becoming instantly forgettable. It’s a clever trick to play – the listener will have come to the album wanting to hear more of Smith’s striking singing so why not make it the most prominent element of the album? ‘Life Support’ and ‘Not In That Way’ also showcase his sublime voice perfectly, by having his vocals the centre of attention and the beat as secondary. Prepare for goosebumps when the choir joins in with him belting the chorus. Indeed, it shines brightly on album standout ‘Stay With Me’ which makes something seedy (a one night stand) into something beautiful and heartfelt. We all know by now that he has a gorgeous voice. There is also a sense that Smith is trying too much on certain tracks to show off just how amazing his voice is – the harmonising on ‘Money On My Mind’ and ‘Lay Me Down’ in particular – when it just isn’t needed. Smith’s sound is a lot to take in so some persevering is needed upon the first few listens. It’s not without its problems – there are a few poor tracks included – but the better tracks vastly outshine the duds and while it is by no means a perfect debut, it ensures the hype surrounding Smith was justified. That said, his debut album In The Lonely Hour lives up to the hype that has built around him after the success of Disclosure’s ‘Latch’ (the acoustic version of ‘Latch’ included on the deluxe edition certainly deserves a download), Naughty Boy’s ‘La La La’ and Smith’s own recent chart-topper ‘Stay With Me’. It’s safe to say that Sam Smith has A LOT to live up to.
#IN THE LONELY HOUR ALBUM TRACKS TV#
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