Sam Smith just revealed their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes. Capitol Records will release it on August 21st. The singer’s time in New York City heavily inspired this new project. Furthermore, Smith dropped the lead single, “My Guy,” alongside the big announcement. This song explores deep romance and their current relationship. Smith describes writing the soulful track with friends on a summer day.
They call it a song they’ve waited a lifetime to create. The goal was to capture love’s warmth in a sometimes cold world. On the flip side, this album represents a very personal journey for the artist. They spent over three years crafting it with close friends.
The Deep Personal Journey
Hazel Eyes features twelve tracks of intimate storytelling. Longtime collaborator Simon Aldred helped create this special record. Canadian singer-songwriter Feist and musician Shahzad Ismaily also contributed. Additionally, Sam Smith took on a producing role for this album. They pushed themselves at every turn throughout the process. This deepened their artistry from start to finish.
The album campaign actually started late last year. Smith hosted the “To Be Free” residency series. They played twenty-four nights at Brooklyn’s Warsaw venue. Then, they moved to San Francisco’s Castro Theatre for eight shows. Irrespective of the location, these intimate gigs mixed hits with unreleased songs.
Unveiling The New Sound
Fans at the residencies heard several new tracks early. They experienced “My Guy,” co-written with Feist. The sultry “Moondance” and country-leaning “Constant Companion” also debuted. Surprise guests like Ed Sheeran and Hozier joined the performances. Brandi Carlile and Kim Petras also made appearances. Meanwhile, Smith recently performed “My Guy” on U.K. television.
This upcoming album follows a string of massive successes. Their 2014 debut, In the Lonely Hour, won four Grammys. The Thrill of It All hit number one in 2017. Later albums include Love Goes and Gloria. Above all, Hazel Eyes promises a fresh, emotional chapter. Fans eagerly await this romantic New York-inspired collection.
