Sam Smith has announced their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, scheduled for release on August 21 via Capitol Records. The record, described as an ode to New York City, is inspired by Smith’s relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan.
The project marks a significant personal and artistic shift for the singer-songwriter. After spending over three years writing the material with a small group of close friends, Smith describes the work as very personal
and incredibly romantic
.
The Influence of Christian Cowan and New York City
Central to the album’s emotional core is Smith’s relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan. The couple has been dating for more than three years, a romance that serves as the primary inspiration for the record’s themes. According to reporting from Yardbarker, the album tells of the first two years of meeting someone that you’re with for a long time.
This romantic evolution coincided with a geographical one. Smith moved from England to America to be with their partner, and the music reflects that transition. Speaking on the Dish podcast, Smith noted that the album soundtracked the move from England to America
, with the very first song written the night before meeting their partner.
The setting of New York City, which Sam now calls home, permeates the project. This connection is highlighted by the fact that the record was partly recorded at Electric Lady Studios. In a press release, the album is described as a heartfelt ode to the city of New York which Sam now calls home
.
Production and the Single ‘My Guy’
Smith took a more active role in the technical creation of Hazel Eyes, serving as a producer to push their artistic boundaries. The album was co-produced alongside Simon Aldred and David Odlum, featuring 12 songs crafted with collaborators Feist, Shahzad Ismaily and Rob Moose.
To accompany the album announcement, the singer-songwriter has put out the new single My Guy
, co-written by Smith, Feist and Ismaily, along with its music video. Smith describes the track as a capture of the glow and the warmth of love
, noting that the song was written on a summer’s day in New York.
“This is a song that I feel I have been waiting a lifetime to write and sing… Written with beautiful friends on a summer’s day in New York, this one fell out of the sky. In this sometimes cold and distant world, I hope you can feel the love and the closeness of this recording. I tried to capture the glow and the warmth of love in this one, it makes me cry, maybe it will make you feel a little love too.”
Smith
This leans into a softer, more romantic aesthetic. The singer mentioned liking flowery, beautiful things and leaning into that for this record, which they claim allowed them to deepen their identity as an artist. Smith stated, I feel I have deepened myself as an artist through the making of it, through being a producer on the record, to walking alongside this record from the start to the finish and pushing myself at every single turn
.
Tracklist and Artistic Evolution
The 12-track sequence suggests a blend of original compositions and collaborations. While Smith last released their 2023 album Gloria featuring the single Unholy
with Kim Petras, Hazel Eyes appears focused on intimate storytelling and life lessons documented through music. Smith noted, I’ve learned so many life lessons through making this album, and I’ve documented it all through the music
.
| Track Name | Notable Feature/Detail |
|---|---|
| Everlasting Love | – |
| Hazel Eyes | – |
| Moondance | feat. Feist |
| My Guy | Lead Single |
| When He’s Gone | – |
| Thief | – |
| Love Is A Stillness | – |
| Sugar Rush | – |
| Oh Mother | feat. The TwoCity Chorus |
| Constant Companion | – |
| Hold On To Be Free | – |
More recently, Smith staged residencies at Brooklyn’s Warsaw and San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, where they were one of the first performers to grace the refurbished stage.
Fans can expect the full release of Hazel Eyes on August 21 via variety.com.
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