Sam Smith's 'Hazel Eyes' Finds a More Organic, Romantic Direction
Sam Smith's fourth album moves away from polished pop toward a more organic blend of jazz, blues, and soul, telling a real-life love story. The singer worked primarily with Simon Aldred and co-produced for the first time, resulting in a more interesting and sophisticated sound. The record marks a deliberate departure from the synthetic style of previous hits like 'Unholy'.
Smith's shift to co-producing marks a notable career evolution, with the singer taking greater creative control than on previous records. The album's narrative arc, centered on their relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan, represents a structural departure from earlier projects that mixed disparate themes of longing and frustration. Working closely with Simon Aldred, a collaborator Smith identifies as their first queer songwriting partner, appears to have fostered a more cohesive artistic vision.
The production choices signal a deliberate rejection of the polished, radio-oriented approach that defined earlier work. By embracing live-sounding instrumentation—acoustic guitar, trumpet, rattling percussion—Smith moves away from the synthetic textures that characterized hits like "Unholy." This stylistic pivot suggests an artist prioritizing sonic authenticity over commercial formula, potentially reshaping expectations for their future output.
This album could signal a broader shift in how major pop artists approach creative longevity, demonstrating that commercial success need not lock an artist into a single sound. Smith's embrace of co-production may inspire other performers to pursue more hands-on creative roles. The romantic narrative centered on a same-sex relationship could also resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences seeking mainstream representation that feels genuine rather than performative, potentially normalizing queer love stories in pop music's upper echelon.