What is the best Sam Smith album to start with?

The best album to start with is "In the Lonely Hour" (2014). It's the most representative of what makes Sam Smith worth hearing.

How many albums does Sam Smith have?

Sam Smith has 34 releases in their discography, including 6 albums and 1 EP.

Photo: © pitpony.photography · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sam Smith

Q: Who is Sam Smith for?

If you're into contemporary R&B and soul, Sam Smith is worth your time. With a spacious arrangement that emphasizes emotional highs and lows, the music builds tension through subtle shifts in dynamics and phrasing.

With a spacious arrangement that emphasizes emotional highs and lows, the music builds tension through subtle shifts in dynamics and phrasing.

contemporary R&B · soul

United Kingdom

Read about Sam Smith on Bookshop

Start here

The album

In the Lonely Hour (2014)

Captures their signature sound with emotional depth and vulnerability, offering a cohesive experience for new listeners.

The song

“Stay with Me”

Immediate hook that showcases Sam Smith's vocal range and emotional delivery, serving as an engaging introduction to their style.

About Sam Smith

Sam Smith matters for their ability to articulate the complexities of love, heartbreak, and identity in a contemporary context.

Their music resonates deeply with listeners navigating similar emotional landscapes, bridging gaps between personal experience and broader societal conversations about gender and sexuality.

Their music resonates deeply with listeners navigating similar emotional landscapes, bridging gaps between personal experience and broader societal conversations about gender and sexuality. This connection has fostered a community of acceptance and understanding, making their art not just personal but also culturally significant. Approaching their craft with vulnerability at the forefront, Smith utilizes a distinctive vocal style that conveys both strength and fragility. This emphasis on emotional honesty drives an intimate listening experience, as they often collaborate with producers who enhance the rawness of their lyrics through lush arrangements. The result is a sound that feels both polished and deeply authentic, allowing the listener to engage with the music on multiple levels. Common lyrical themes revolve around unrequited love, self-discovery, and the ache of longing, often delivered with an earnestness that balances irony and sincerity. Smith’s storytelling tends to focus on personal experiences, evoking vivid imagery while inviting listeners to reflect on their own emotions without becoming overly abstract or detached.

6 studio albums· 34 total releases· 1 decade· United Kingdom

Full discography

Sam Smith's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

34 releases • 6 albums • 1 EP • 2008–2023

Type:

Studio albums ()

EPs ()

Nirvana

2013

Live ()

Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios

2021

Singles ()

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Too Good at Goodbyes" — from The Thrill of It All (2017)

establishes the emotional core of the album
2

"Young" — from Love Goes (2020)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"Love Me More" — from Gloria (2023)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"Diamonds" — from Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios (2021)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Money on My Mind" — from In the Lonely Hour (2014)

establishes the sonic palette early

Continue your journey

If you liked Sam Smith, start with Hozier

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

Listen

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata

Sam Smith

About Sam Smith

Full discography

Studio albums ()

Gloria

Love Goes

The Thrill of It All

The Lost Tapes – Remixed

In the Lonely Hour

EPs ()

Nirvana

Live ()

Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios

Singles ()

Desire

Vulgar

Unholy

Kids Again

Diamonds

My Oasis

To Die For

I'm Ready

I Feel Love

Fire on Fire

Promises

Pray

Baby, You Make Me Crazy

One Last Song

Burning

Writing's on the Wall

Lay Me Down

Restart

Like I Can

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I'm Not the Only One

Stay with Me

Money on My Mind

La La La

Lay Me Down

When It's Alright

Bad Day All Week

Songs to start with