Grammy-winning pop singer Sam Smith is currently on their “To Be Free” residency tour across smaller venues in six cities, pivoting away from ostentatious arena productions to promote their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, according to an interview published by The Guardian. Smith, who logs onto video calls under their birth flower username “Lily of the Valley” from Guadalajara, Mexico, stated that their previous touring style involved “flailing around on a massive gold bum” with “seven costume changes.” The current tour strips back the theatricality in favor of a closer connection with audiences, marking a significant artistic shift for the 34-year-old British artist.
Career Evolution and the Shift to Hazel Eyes
According to The Guardian, Sam Smith initially broke out at age 20 as the featured vocalist on Disclosure’s 2012 hit “Latch” before releasing their 2014 debut album, In the Lonely Hour, which featured the hit “Stay With Me.” Smith subsequently earned an Oscar in 2015 for the Spectre theme song, “Writing’s on the Wall.” After coming out as non-binary in 2017, Smith faced harsh criticism from rightwing commentators, particularly following the 2023 release of their expressive album Gloria and its associated visuals for tracks like “Unholy” and “I’m Not Here to Make Friends,” which some observers accused of being oversexualized.
Seeking sanctuary from the media storm and the intense pace of global pop stardom, Smith relocated from the UK to New York City three years ago to live with their fiancé, designer Christian Cowan. According to Smith, moving to New York allowed them to walk the streets feeling “no judgment.” This renewed sense of peace inspired the creation of Hazel Eyes, a record co-produced by Smith for the first time alongside co-writer Simon Aldred. The album embraces a dusky, 1970s blend of blues, folk, R&B, and outlaw country, purposefully stepping away from the structured, sobriety-enforced commercial writing rooms of their past.
Commercial Success Versus Artistic Freedom
Despite past achievements that placed their sales figures alongside iconic queer artists like Elton John and Freddie Mercury, Smith told The Guardian that chasing global chart dominance left them “most depressed or creatively stunted.” Their 2023 global No. 1 duet with Kim Petras, “Unholy,” earned them a Grammy Award alongside fierce condemnation from conservatives for its fiery, devil-horned live performances. Smith noted that while the track’s success was hard-fought, they no longer view global competition as a healthy metric for a queer artist whose existence remains contentious to some.
This realization sparked tension with their record label, as Smith insisted on keeping business out of the music creation process for Hazel Eyes. Setting a strict “brown, sepia filter” color palette and a guiding river motif inspired by their Cambridgeshire hometown, Smith aimed for emotional truth over engineered pop hooks. The album, distributed via Capitol, is scheduled for release on August 21.
Did you know? Sam Smith established the Pink House foundation two years ago, a charity designed to provide support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Hazel Eyes released?
According to The Guardian, Sam Smith’s fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, is released via Capitol on August 21.
What inspired the sound of Hazel Eyes?
The album draws on a dusky, 1970s blend of blues, folk, R&B, and outlaw country, shaped by intimate recording sessions with co-writer Simon Aldred and the Dap-Kings in New York City.
What is the To Be Free tour?
The “To Be Free” tour is a stripped-back residency visiting smaller venues across six cities, marking a departure from the large-scale theatricality of Smith’s previous arena tours.
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