Review
'The Thrill Of It All' finds Sam Smith diving headfirst into an ocean of raw emotion, letting us swim alongside as they navigate heartbreak, self-discovery, and acceptance. Smith's sophomore effort doesn't disappoint, building on what made 'In The Lonely Hour' connect with so many while pushing into fresh territory. Those vocals though? Straight-up ridiculous - Smith's voice soars and breaks in all the right places, especially on tracks like 'Too Good At Goodbyes' where you can practically feel the weight of past relationships crushing down with each note.
Smith really found their pocket on this 2017 release, marrying gospel influences with contemporary R&B production that gives everything room to breathe. The way 'Pray' builds from intimate confession to full-on spiritual experience shows how Smith's songwriting evolved since their debut. You can hear the confidence growing throughout the album, even when the lyrics dive into vulnerability. The production keeps things clean but never sterile, creating the perfect backdrop for Smith's voice to do its thing.
What hits different about 'The Thrill Of It All' is how Smith uses their platform to speak their truth on songs like 'Him,' tackling love and acceptance head-on without flinching. There's this beautiful balance between the personal and the universal that makes even the most specific stories feel like they could belong to anyone. Four years after bursting onto the scene, this album proved Smith wasn't just riding the wave of initial success - they were creating something built to last. When Smith hits those high notes, you're not just hearing a singer - you're experiencing someone sharing pieces of their soul. - Jace
