Sam Smith’s ‘Hazel Eyes’: All 12 Songs Ranked
Billboard has published a track-by-track ranking of all 12 songs on Sam Smith's new album Hazel Eyes, the London-born singer's fifth studio record. The review frames the album as a fresh, emboldened chapter in Smith's career, exploring themes of love, identity and vulnerability inspired largely by their relationship with fashion designer Christian Cowan, whose eyes give the album its title.
The article notes Smith's history of five Grammy Awards, seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, and their status as the first openly nonbinary artist to top the Hot 100 with 2023's "Unholy". Hazel Eyes follows Smith's US concert hall residency, which included 24 sold-out New York shows, ahead of further dates in Manchester (3-4 September) and London (8-19 September). Musically, the record returns to the piano-led balladry of Smith's earlier work while incorporating new touches, including country guitar and collaborations with singer-songwriter Feist.
- Billboard ranks all 12 tracks on Sam Smith's new album Hazel Eyes
- Album is inspired by relationship with fiancé Christian Cowan
- Smith plays Manchester and London shows in September
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Sam Smith is a London-born singer-songwriter known for a string of chart hits, five Grammy Awards, and for becoming the first openly nonbinary artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100, with 2023's "Unholy". Hazel Eyes is their fifth studio album, and its title refers to the eyes of fashion designer Christian Cowan, Smith's partner, whose relationship shapes much of the record's subject matter around love and identity.
The album arrives after Smith completed a US concert hall residency, including 24 sold-out shows in New York, with further dates planned in Manchester and London in September. Musically, it is being described as a return to the stripped-back, piano-driven style of Smith's earlier work, with some new elements such as country guitar and a collaboration with singer-songwriter Feist.
This background sets the scene for Billboard's song-by-song ranking of the album's 12 tracks, which assesses how each one fits into that broader picture of Smith's career and this latest musical direction.