It was more than three years ago when Sam Smith shared In the Lonely Hour, his debut studio album that earned multiple platinum certifications, critical praise, as well as four Grammy awards. So, obviously, expectations were high for the U.K. singer’s follow-up.
On Thursday night, Smith finally released The Thrill of It All, a 10-track project (14 for the special edition) that includes the lead single "Too Good at Goodbyes" and the Timbaland-produced track "Pray." Smith recently told Rolling Stone this album is taking a different direction than his debut LP—a deeper and darker direction.
"This album doesn't sound pretty to me. I want this to be more gritty. I want it to sound older, a bit more uncomfortable," he explained. "In the Lonely Hour is a gin and tonic with your friends. The new album is a whiskey by yourself in a dark room, at night, thinking about life. I went into a deep place. I don't think I'm going to go into that place ever again, because it got a bit too deep."
Hours before the release, Smith shared an Instagram message for his fans, whom he thanked for giving him so much time to deliver the album. You can hear his statement below.
The Thrill of It All can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music or downloaded on iTunes.
Smith will kick off the album's support tour March 20, 2018 in England. The tour will include stops in Toronto, Brooklyn, Miami, and Los Angeles, before it wraps up on Sept. 13, 2018 in Calgary, Canada. You can learn more about the dates here.
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