In The Lonely Hour: Songs of Heartbreaks

One of the most anticipated albums of 2014. From the artist who popularized the hits, Latch by Lawrence Brother and La La La by Naughty Boy, Sam Smith. With his unforgettable voice, Sam took over everyone's hearts and his remarkable vocal range made him an artist to watch out for.

Sam released his full-length debut album , In The Lonely Hour, last May 26, 2015. It went straight to the top spot in the UK and other countries like Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. In the US, it debuted at the at the number 2 spot behind Lana Del Ray's Ultraviolence. It includes 3 chart-topping singles; Money On My Mind, I'm Not The Only One and Stay With Me. The latter earned him 2 Grammy's: 'Song of the Year' and 'Record of the Year', with the album itself as the 'Album of the Year'. I guess we can say, his Lonely Hour turned out to be a happy one.

Aside from Sam's undeniably breathtaking vocals, his broken heart from his unrequited love is the foundation of this album. He poured out his emotions into his lyrics and the songs express what filled Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour.

A creative Illustration of Money On My Mind

The album stars off with an upbeat sound with electro-pop music, Money On My Mind. It was released as the first single of the album along with a Music video showing the fancy life in Vegas. The chorus repeats the lyrics "I don't have money on my mind, I do it for the love"  and it's catchy melody will be stuck on your brain and will get you singing at random places. The song talks about how there are so much more to life than aiming for success and money and that coming from Sam Smith, is admirable and proves how humble he is. 

The second song starts of the melancholy-feel of the album, Good Thing. With a violin and guitar intro, you better prepare yourself with heartfelt words Sam has put into this. "Too much of a good thing, won't be good for long", with that line, Sam bursts his pain to someone who is unaware of his feelings and those lyrics apply to a lot of situations everyone can relate to.

A scene from Stay With Me MV

Stay With Me was released as the second single of the album and with his debut appearance on Saturday Night Live, he begun ruling the American Music Industry. The song revolves around a story of a guy (who may be Sam Smith) pleasing his partner to stay with him. Sadly, life is never like that. People come and go untimely. The choir which comes out in the chorus will give you the shivers and Sam's signature falsetto will capture your heart.

A scene from Leave Your Lover MV

The fourth track follows the story of Stay With Me. Leave Your Lover starts with a plucking of the guitar and with the words: "I don't have much to give but I don't care for gold" , with that, Sam proves love is not like the movies which, despite all the barriers, end up happily. Sometimes, it ends up with you hoping you were in someone's shoes.

Dianna Agron from I'm Not The Only One MV

With this next track, Sam comes back strong, I'm Not The Only One. As what the Music Video portrayed, it tackles the pain of knowing your love is cheating on you. And what hurts more is that, some people choose to accept that fact in hope of having the holes and broken parts fixed. Sam soars the lower register of his vocals in the verses and raises to anger in the chorus singing "You say I'm crazy, 'cause you don't think I know what you've done".

I've Told You Now gives a rather different vibes with a strong and powerful chorus asking "What the hell, why do you think I come 'round here on my free will?" with the anger obvious in his tone. A different story of looking for the right words to confess to someone.

A scene from Like I Can MV

Like I Can samples the whispered guitar strumming from Adele's Rolling In The Deep. With another choir and a full band accompanying his powerful vocals, he tries to convince his love how he can do better than what most can offer. He keeps on saying "He'll never love you like I can"

The eighth track is entitled Life Support which showcases Sam's versatile vocals with astounding transitions from low chest voice to head voice. The background music is comparable to Beyonce's sounds with soulful melismas. The lyrics express Sam's desire to be with someone he considers as his drug. I personally think everyone relates to this song for it can refer to our best friend, parents or siblings.

Not In That Way is named as "The Friend Zoned Song" by netizens. It takes only one time to listen and all the feelings and sensations of falling and breaking will instantly hit you hard. "You'll say I'm sorry, believe me, I love you but Not In That Way", just by looking at the lyrics, you can feel the agony quickly. Maybe being rejected isn't that painful at all, maybe being dragged in that zone where you have to play-pretend still as a friend though you're breaking, is worse. 

A scene from Lay Me Down MV

Lay Me Down was released as the 7th single. The first Music Video showed Sam being being married to another guy which ended the never-ending discussion about his sexuality. Another one was uploaded, a version with John Legend, for the Red Nose Day 2015. This song is about wanting someone so badly to stay by your side. With those golden vocal pipes, who wouldn't want to? It does not have to be someone we are in love with and can be someone we rely on and our safest company.

Just like its title, Restart, Sam begins the upbeat sound in the album after consecutive ballad heartbreaking songs. Heavy beats and 80's sound builds the song. At the same time, this song tells how Sam restarts all over again after the heartbreaks he faced. 

Latch is the 12th track and released in its acoustic version. A lot of people are familiar with this since it has been a single which featured Sam, in a dancy pop anthem. Either way, it's equally astonishing. "Now I've got you in my space, I won't let go of you", don't we all just turn into a selfish lover when we know it's right? Like Sam who doesn't see letting go as an option in this song.

A scene from La La La MV

La La La, a Naughty Boy song which brought Sam to fame. Its pop tune is totally different from the album's theme but this song is a need in the album for this song is what made Sam the Sam he is now. 

The last song, Make It To Me, is my personal favorite. Probably because this is the only song I can completely relate to. Like Tori Kelly's Dear No One and David Archuleta's My Kind Of Perfect, Make It To Me is a song dedicated to our future someone we have no idea about. Isn't it crazy how there are billions of people on Earth and we'll end up with that one person? The other half of us who must be searching for us as well right now. That one person who will fill our massive world.

Sam Smith Photo

In This Lonely Hour sums up the story of falling in love along with the pain next to it. Every song is expertly produced and what made them more impressive is Sam's fantastic vocals. Every now and then, you need that time to unwind and see through life. With the Pop Music prevailing the music industry today, In The Lonely Hour is the perfect album to make you realize that there is still hope in the modern music. Sometimes, sadness can be the source of happiness, you wouldn't know the value of that smile without knowing the pain of crying. 

Article By: Michael Timajo