Earlier this month one of my favorite artists, the prince of heartbreak himself, Sam Smith, released his sophomore album, “The Thrill of it All.” And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
It’s hard to believe that Sam Smith has only released two albums in the past five years. He has such a soulful voice that it almost feels like he has been around for centuries. Every time you think he is in falsetto, he just keeping going higher and higher, showing off his impeccable singing range.
The album opens with his single, “Too Good at Goodbyes,” which I think didn’t prepare me enough for how good this album is. Smith has taken pop break-up songs to a whole new level. Something that I love about his music is the gospel singers he incorporates in the background of many of his songs. They really add to the meaning behind each song and intensify the sound of the music.
Each song of on the album is personal to Smith and I think he does a great job at putting his emotions into lyrics. When writing about someone or a certain feeling, it’s easy to get your thoughts all jumbled together, leaving you with a big mess. However, each of Smith’s songs has such an elegance to them that I am actually able to feel the emotions he is pouring out.
Some of my personal favorites on the album are “HIM,” “Nothing Left for You,” “No Peace (feat. YEBBA) and “One Last Song.”
“HIM” is one of my favorites because of how personal it is. In the song, Smith is speaking to God talking about how he feels there is no place in religion for him because he is gay. One of the more powerful lyrics that Smith writes is, “Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us. It is him I love, it is him I love.”
This was a very important song for Smith to write because it addresses a topic that not many people like to touch on. It is almost taboo to mix sexuality with religion, especially in today’s society when everyone is so divided. However, Smith took a leap of courageousness by putting his fears of religion and his relationship with God out there for the world to hear.
I think that this song could help others in a similar position get through their struggles and understand that you aren’t the only one thinking these things.
“Nothing Left for You,” is not only lyrically a powerful song but musically it completely blows it out of the water. Smith writes about giving his heart away to someone and after they break up he has nothing left to give. The beginning starts out quite slow with just a simple riff of an electric guitar.
But as the song moves forward, the music and singing only continue to go up. The soul we hear in Smith’s voice matches the increase in the drums, guitar, and piano, building the song into something bigger. I get goosebumps every time I hear the background choir repeat his words because the echoing adds even more to it.
Sam Smith never fails to give me chills with each note he dares to sing higher or with each beat he makes louder. I think he has such a rawness to him that makes his music separate from the typical “pop” sound. He isn’t afraid to be one hundred percent himself and I think that shows in his music. He lets his music do the talking.
I definitely recommend this album to anyone looking for some new and amazing music.
