Sam Smith’s latest album is a collection of raw and emotional songs which make for a good listen but are nothing new for the singer Music Critic Aimee Sargeant argues
Sam Smith has become one of the 21st centuries best known voices since their debut album back in 2014. Fast forward six years and they have released they’re new album Love Goes. It is both familiar in its sound and reference to love and loss. It shows that Smith has not lost their talent in showcasing the rawness that comes in love.
This 17-track album showcases some of the rawest songs they have made to this day. The album takes you through a journey from the lows of heartbreak to self-acceptance and healing. With hints of pop, disco, acoustics and cinematic backings, this albums contents can cater towards any music tastes. The album can be seen to be split into 3 different sections, a dance floor set of tracks, acoustic piano tracks and back to the electronic backing.
from this opening track, it sets the tone for the rest of the album, showing this won’t be an up-tempo and ecstatic set of tracks.
Love Goes opens with ‘Young,’ a raw acoustic song that is an exploration into the vulnerability of being younger and also famous. Their lyrics ‘But they’re watching me, judging me’ represents the helplessness they feel from they’re sudden fame. From this opening track, it sets the tone for the rest of the album, showing this won’t be an up-tempo and ecstatic set of tracks. But it proves how Sam Smith can be vulnerable and resonate with listeners through their lyrics.
There have not been many chart toppers that have come from this album so far, however, they are searching for themselves in this album and finding a different sound once again. ‘Diamonds’ has a certain quality to it that sounds like Smith is revitalised. The catchy bass line and rhythm section has jazzy guitar riffs that makes this sound like it could be a disco and dance floor track. Add their tenor voice and it is a masterpiece. This is a song I could have on repeat.
‘Another One’ and ‘My Oasis’ tie in well with each other as they follow on ‘Diamonds,’ both of these tracks have a similarity to ‘Diamonds.’ Both of these tracks allow you to experience the minimalist beats with some electronic backing and Smith’s vocals. ‘My Oasis’ features Burna Boy, their addition to the song infuses it with some contrast in vocals, Smith brings vulnerability in their voice and Burna Boy instils it with life.
‘So Serious’ is a nod to their mental health and how you should not beat yourself over how you feel. The lyrics are some of the most vulnerable in the album ‘Crying rivers in the streets and God, I don’t know why, I get so serious sometimes’. Smith talks about their experience with depression in this song and this can resonate with people that they’re not on their own. It plays with the topic of being down in a playful way that is uplifting.
‘Dance (‘Til You Love Someone Else)’ is an odd one out on the album, it is the least unhappy and the most upbeat on the album. It’s use of club synths and strings makes it a more upbeat song that seems to stand out from the rest of the album. From this song onwards, the tone of the album seems to change and goes onto more acoustic piano ballads.
Forgive Myself’ is the most raw and vulnerable song on the whole album
‘For the Lover That I Lost’ sounds dramatic like ‘Dance (‘Til You Love Someone Else’)’ but in a different way. Instead of it being a club-like song, it is more of a ballad with the uses of strings and a piano. Smith’s storytelling lyrics are on prime display during this song. The acoustic ballads carry on after this song in ‘Breaking Hearts’, ‘Forgive Myself’ and ‘Love Goes’. These are all raw and less upbeat than previous songs. ‘Forgive Myself’ is the most raw and vulnerable song on the whole album, you can really hear Smith’s heartbreak and pain that they are feeling in their lyrics. This is my favourite song on the whole album.
‘Kids Again’ is a different feel again to the previous tracks, this is a nostalgic track that makes you sit and look back at childhood. It takes a step away from the electronic music that Smith has used on the rest of their album and has got more of a soul musicality to it with stripped-back backing.
‘Dancing with a Stranger’ and ‘How Do You Sleep’ are two of the most catchy and uplifting songs from the whole album with more electronic and club synth influences. This can also be seen on the closing track ‘Promises’ by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith. This ends the album nicely from starting with a raw and acoustic song to ending with a club influence showing the sensual side to Sam Smith.
Love Goes has many strengths to it as all the songs from this album are distinctive in their own way. However, it is nothing we haven’t seen before from Smith with their raw songs about loss and heartbreak. Nonetheless, it is still a strong album that I would listen to again.
Rating: 7/10
Love Goes is available now via Capitol Records UK
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