BY MARIAH SMITH
On Friday, November 3, British artist, Sam Smith, released his sophomore album, The Thrill of It All, which includes the hit singles Too Good at Goodbyes, Pray, and Burning. Fans have waited almost four years for more music from the singer since his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, was released in January of 2014. The four-time Grammy award winner is known for his heartfelt and dramatic ballads about love and breakups paired with his soulful voice. Singles from this album like Stay With Me, and I’m Not the Only One shot the artist to international fame much faster than he was ready for, which he reflected on in his most recent album. TTOIA is currently the number one album on iTunes, with his new singles gaining head on the Billboard charts.
Even though the overall theme of love, relationships, heartbreak, and healing resemble that of his debut album, he also uses his newest music as a thoughtful reminiscing on past decisions and feelings, as well as a therapeutic statement about his being unapologetically and openly gay, thoughts on religion, politics, and learning about the world. Each song has a unique beat and tone, yet they all flow together seamlessly creating a whole, dare I say it, a masterpiece. Here’s a look at each song (in order of appearance on the album).
Too Good at Goodbyes
The first single released from the album about a lover putting his guard up to protect himself from being hurt yet again because his love interest has made inconsistency a habit. As a result, he has fallen out of love and is so used to getting his heart broken that he has become numb and *good* at being the short end of a breakup.
Say It First
A plea to his lover to share their feelings first. He is feeling uncertain of their commitment or interest, so he is reluctant to take initiative about confirming his own feelings either out loud or internally to himself, to give into his feelings.
One Last Song
A reminiscing on a past love that he is still stuck on, and a final song as an attempt at closure. He was unhappy or hurt by this ex, and says the chilling line “You made me sad ‘til I loved the shade of blue” meaning that he became comfortable with the sad shade of blue.
Midnight Train
A song about a reluctant breakup, this time by Sam’s doing. There is still love between them, but in a refreshing light, Sam is the one to chose himself. He claims to be losing himself to his lover with the more time they share. Major oldies vibes with this one- the doo-wop style accents and swings in the beat.
Burning
Described by Sam as the core of the album, and the third single, this song is a reflection on the pain and unhappiness caused by a breakup. This has taken a physical toll on him, “burning” more since they separated. He hints that he wants to start life over to change some of his choices and avoid some of his pain.
HIM
(An instant favorite of mine!) A story about the struggles of being gay while remaining religious. He remembers the time he came out of the closet to his family and god, admitting that he isn’t the boy they wanted, but asking for acceptance and understanding anyways. This is a firsthand experience about how he feels as a gay man, in hopes that outsiders and god accept him. He uses a choir and bluesy tones to add an emphasis to the religious aspect.
Baby You Make Me Crazy
An uplifting beat about a breakup that he doesn’t want to think about anymore. He calls on his ‘sisters’ and friends to take him out to have a good time and get his mind off of his emotions and pain.
No Peace
A collaboration with a powerful voice that YEBBA about feeling an ex-lover’s absence after a recent breakup. They (YEBBA and Sam Smith) were still in love with their ex when they were dumped, and they are having a hard time coping, even claiming to be lacking rest, and missing the peace they had with them.
Palace
Reminiscing on memories with a loved one, and associating those memories as physical “ruins” and palaces built by that person in his head. He is hurt by their absence, but still, values the time they spent together.
Pray
My take on the second single off the album was how he is turning his back on organized religion but trying to maintain his relationship with God. This was stemmed by his experience as a gay man. However, other listeners compared this song to his story about when is was learning about the world first hand while abroad and being ashamed of himself for how little he knew. This is his promise to pay more attention and to get involved, but he will pray as a backup. He uses a choir to provide light accents and connect to religion once again. This might be more of an upbeat rhythm, but the lyrics obviously tell another story.
Nothing Left For You
(Another favorite of mine) A song about how he gave his all in a previous relationship and got hurt which has left him emotionally empty, being unable to offer love or commitment to a new love interest.
The Thrill Of It All
A slow and dramatic ballad reflecting on getting caught up in his sudden rise to fame, and not making the greatest decisions in that light. He feels he left his personal relationships struggle because of it, wishing he could change the way he did things.
Scars
An ode to his parents that worked hard as he and his siblings grew up. They separated, and dealt with their own pain, but (from my take) still did their best for them. He feels they helped him stay strong and heal through navigating his life, and the painful experiences that have come along the way.
One Day at a Time
A plea to a lover for them to make a joint effort to live a better, more fulfilling life *one day at a time* especially as times become and remain hard. He suggests putting phones down, appreciating the small things, reminiscing on good times, and enjoying each other’s presence.
Maybe I am so easily satisfied by his new work because I have been longing for more Sam Smith for years now, but I really love this album. It is set apart from Lonely Hour, but you can still recognize his sound. His soulful voice paired with the R&B and gospel details in the back sends chills down my spine and sets some kind of fireworks off in my brain, rekindling my love and passion for music as a whole. I can’t wait to know every word and belt it during car rides like I did (and still do) with his first album in 2014. I am sure it won’t take long at all.
Sam announced his 2018 tour at the same time of his album release date in the beginning of October. He will be stopping in Kansas City August 18th before he hits Denver on the 21st. Tickets range from $35 to about $125 before fees and taxes. This is promising to be an amazing show, so if you’re looking for a way to end next summer with a bang, this would be it!
Well done Sam Smith! We are so glad you are back!