British singer Sam Smith has released their fifth studio album, "Hazel Eyes," marking a significant shift in their creative process and artistic identity. Departing from the conventional, heavily managed music industry model, Smith took full artistic control of this project, crafting the album outside the traditional structures of songwriting teams and commercial production oversight.
Recorded partly at the renowned Electric Lady Studios in New York’s West Village, "Hazel Eyes" features collaborations with indie artist Feist and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, along with contributions from a full gospel choir. The album’s sound blends dreamy compositions with raw emotion, reflecting both moments of joy and pain. Smith acknowledges the duality present throughout the album, describing an interplay of happiness and sadness that mirrors their complex emotional landscape.
Smith, who identifies as nonbinary and has been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, credits their move to New York for fostering a newfound creative freedom. "[In New York] I’m not the only freak on the street,” Smith said, citing the city’s vibrant queer culture as a source of inspiration and acceptance. Friends and collaborators have noted a more confident and unfiltered expression in Smith’s work, describing the album as a true reflection of their artistic voice.
The album arrives in a challenging social climate, where the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly transgender people, are increasingly under threat. Smith, who publicly came out as nonbinary in 2019 and launched the Pink House Foundation two years ago to support LGBTQIA+ causes, views their work as a form of resistance. “Joy amid strife is an act of resistance,” they said, emphasizing their commitment to celebrating love despite societal challenges.
"Hazel Eyes" follows the success of Smith’s 2023 Grammy-winning single “Unholy,” a collaboration with Kim Petras that challenged industry conventions and highlighted Smith’s willingness to embrace queer themes in mainstream pop. The album’s lead single, “My Guy,” reflects Smith’s current sense of contentment and personal growth, described by Feist as “born of this genuine, blooming awareness that Sam had met their person.” The track was recorded in a single take, preserving the spontaneity and emotional authenticity of the original demo.
Smith’s rise to fame began after lending their vocals to Disclosure in 2012, followed by critical and commercial acclaim for their debut album "In the Lonely Hour." Over time, they have developed a distinctive vocal style characterized by a wide emotional and dynamic range. Collaborators highlight Smith’s drive and artistic ambition, qualities that have propelled their evolving sound.
Despite changing vocal techniques with age, Smith expresses satisfaction with their current voice and the emotional depth captured in "Hazel Eyes." The album’s rawness and vulnerability have been praised by peers and listeners alike, as Smith continues to navigate personal and artistic growth amid a music industry in flux.