The album was a commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Upon its release, In the Lonely Hour received mostly lukewarm reviews from critics, many of whom praised Smith's vocal performance but were critical of the songwriting. A deluxe edition of the album contains five bonus tracks, including a solo acoustic version of Disclosure's single " Latch" and Naughty Boy's number-one single " La La La", on both of which Smith provided guest vocals. 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. In the United States, it was released on 17 June 2014 through Capitol Records America. It was released in the United Kingdom on via Capitol UK and Method Records.
Smith, but with an amazing voice, I hope that he goes down the musical road less traveled to realize its full potential.In the Lonely Hour is the debut studio album by English singer Sam Smith. However, we experience a wide variety of emotions before our eventual fall. I’m such a fool.”) We’ve all been heartbroken and the cracks of those recent or distant heartbreaks will be able to relate to these collection of songs. One song that particularly shows off his vocal ability with the faint acoustic guitar that paints the scene for a tearjerker is “Not in That Way”. Sam Smith has an amazing voice that I’m sure we will hear from for many years to come.
To borrow from the song “Good Thing”: “Too much of a good thing won’t be good for long.” Smith’s debut, with most of the composition draped in acoustic guitar and piano, does not deter from the script. Retribution, liberation, and defeat are just a few of the subjects that Adele touched on. While there are similarities in the susceptibility of love lost, 21 excelled in portraying the array of emotions of love lost. Sam Smith’s debut is being compared to Adele’s 21 album almost unceasingly. My issue with Lonely Hour may not even be with the album itself, but with the timing of the release. The vulnerability of this album is something to be admired as music and society alike have made it almost commonplace to conceal any similitude to what you feel.
It’s a man who has experienced love that’s changed him and he’s finding any way to hold on to a semblance of it. The single “Stay with Me” sets the tone for Lonely Hour. Most of the album goes down a reflective and melancholy path. The opening song “Money on my Mind” is the closest song you will get to an uptempo, feel-good song. While the album excels as a very honest body of work, the lack of variety may have deterred it from being a truly great debut.įans of the singer’s collaboration with fellow Brit Disclosure on the mega-hit “Latch” may feel a little disappointed. Smith has stated that most of the album is based on the subject of unrequited love. Enter Sam Smith and his debut album, In the Lonely Hour. I’m a believer that music thrives more on what’s honest and not necessarily what the artist thinks we want to hear. Old contemporary R&B (we call it the “baby come back home” style) has been making its way back into the mainstream with such artists as Justin Timberlake and John Legend. R&B is in the midst of an identity crisis, having given way to the raunchier, vulgar imagery in recent years.