It’s a thrill Sam’s back
When Sam Smith debuted on the music scene in 2014, he sang beautiful and searing songs about love lapses and loneliness. There are moments you’d feel sad for him, but then you’d remind yourself not to pity the guy too much, because, wow, he has THAT VOICE. On his sophomore album, he’s still singing emotional songs, but his growth is evident. And perfectly executed. The Thrill of It
All is simply that – a thrill – as Smith’s piercing voice and vivid lyrics tell stories about his relationships and experiences over the past three years – the good, the bad, the sad and more.
Burning, which hits straight to the heart, is one of the brightest spots on the album, as Smith sings about the after effects once a relationship has ended.
‘‘I’ve been burning/Yes I’ve been burning/Such a burden/This flame on my chest,’' he sings on the piano tune, where a choir – or layered vocals – later comes in, bringing on a chilling feel.
Another highlight is HIM, where Smith sounds powerful and most confident. ‘‘Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us/It is him I love,’' he sings in a commanding tone.
There’s not a miss on the 10-track album. Say It First, about wanting your partner to say they’re in love before you do, is soft and relatable, while No Peace, a duet with unsigned singer Yebba, is a winner.
There are groovier jams, too, that will move your spirit, including One Last Song, a song for the ex you’re still in love with, and Baby, You Make Me Crazy, with its sing-a-long hook. At times, the latter track sounds like an advice column. ‘‘When the person that you love just says no?/Boy, get yourself together/Move on with your life,’' he sings.
Smith co-wrote each of the songs, and even recruited new collaborators to help him out. Malay, who has worked with Frank Ocean and Zayn, lends his magic to Midnight Train and Say
It First; Poo Bear, who has written many of Justin Bieber’s hits, cowrote Burning; Timbaland coproduced the closing track, Pray; and Grammy-nominated country singer Cam co-wrote Palace.
Jimmy Napes, who worked heavily on Smith’s debut In the
Lonely Hour and won the best original song Oscar with the British singer last year, also worked on seven songs.
But at the core of it all is Smith, and that voice that emotes the lyrics so perfectly. The Thrill of It
All is everything, and more.