• Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 17, 2014
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 207 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 37 out of 207
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  1. Jul 14, 2014
    6
    An album that sadly fails on the expectations and greatness of Sam Smith's voice!

    As most, I came across Smith for his features on the duo Disclosure- and Naughty Boy's big hits, "Latch" and "La La La" (respectively), songs he provided his excellent pipes for. Aside the brilliant beat use from the two, Sam Smith's angelic soul was a reason to fall in-love with. A voice that lead to
    An album that sadly fails on the expectations and greatness of Sam Smith's voice!

    As most, I came across Smith for his features on the duo Disclosure- and Naughty Boy's big hits, "Latch" and "La La La" (respectively), songs he provided his excellent pipes for.
    Aside the brilliant beat use from the two, Sam Smith's angelic soul was a reason to fall in-love with. A voice that lead to push the tracks higher on the charts, and for the many continuously radio plays.
    He was a star in the making, a young man whom critics and fans hailed as pretty much the up-coming of an Adele, in opposite gender though.
    With a couple of great songs and EPs later, it looked heavenly for Sam Smith and his debut LP "In The Lonely Hour".

    Songs such as "Stay With Me" was one of them early ones, and the anticipations for his debut went all sky-rocket. It is a perfect example of a stunning ballad with beautifully layered production behind his on-point lyrics and vocal-delivery about a one night stand Sam wants to hold on till, Smith is a loner.

    While unrequited love, loneliness and sadness is something most people know a thing or two about, too much of it, can hurt on the wrong foot (see: "Like I Can"). Cause past the four-five opening tracks, songs on the second-half becomes all more filler, corny and more of an everlasting long cut of the same-samey.
    Even the second track, "Good Thing" that starts off wonderful with whispery guitar riffs, gripping vocals and catchy melodies, suffers from Hollywood cheesiness on the string department when the bridge kicks in.
    That's most of the album in emotions, it feels like a soul lost in Hollywood, and not the concept record of being the love-letter to the man he loved. Instead we get A-B-C rhymes about "June" and "Spoon" on a track like "Not in That Way".
    The album ends on a sweet and good note though with "Lay Me Down" a track listeners had experience and praise with before and after the release of the album.

    The album feels uncompleted as an overall project, and well yeah the songs flows nicely into each other, it might be because it feels like the other one before that and the next one that plays on. And while we have seen a one-dimensional record hit home before, this did not with it's, at times, mediocre/un-interesting production and it's duds on lyrics and delivery.

    "In The Lonely Hour" is nowhere near being a bad record, in fact it is enjoyable mostly cause of the outstanding voice of Sam Smith, and it is better than most in mainstream pop to come out.
    But that's it, I/we do not want him to be an average musician, a musician to fade away. We expect risks, rawer products and less safe-zone of an album even if it is executed poorly. In the end, at least it will be mentioned and recognized.. and, respectable.
    Sam Smith needs a fresh start, new team or direction to accomplish much more bigger succes, not just in sales but in hearts of sceptics, and fans as I.
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  2. Dec 15, 2014
    5
    Sam Smith's debut album contains some great songs, although it lacks much diversity. Many songs just have a piano and guitar accompaniment. It's hard to distinguish one song from another on first listen. There are only a few standouts, admittedly, most of them are the singles. I don't think Smith has quite found himself yet. I can't dispute his amazing vocals. I just hope that the secondSam Smith's debut album contains some great songs, although it lacks much diversity. Many songs just have a piano and guitar accompaniment. It's hard to distinguish one song from another on first listen. There are only a few standouts, admittedly, most of them are the singles. I don't think Smith has quite found himself yet. I can't dispute his amazing vocals. I just hope that the second album can show a different side of him. Expand
  3. Jun 17, 2014
    5
    This heavenly British boy had huge shoes to fill. With a slew of successes in 2013 with Disclosure's "Latch" and Naughty Boy's "La La La", Sam Smith was on a gold-plated road to stardom. Unfortunately, somewhere along that pampered road, Mr. Smith got cocky and fell into the figurative mud puddle of one-dimensional songs. Yes, the man has talent. He has the voice of an angel with the soulThis heavenly British boy had huge shoes to fill. With a slew of successes in 2013 with Disclosure's "Latch" and Naughty Boy's "La La La", Sam Smith was on a gold-plated road to stardom. Unfortunately, somewhere along that pampered road, Mr. Smith got cocky and fell into the figurative mud puddle of one-dimensional songs. Yes, the man has talent. He has the voice of an angel with the soul of a 50s R&B group, but in terms of lyrical themes, he ran out of ideas after two songs.

    Sam Smith is a man who shows that he is "the one". "The one" who will love you and care for you. That's great and all for one or two songs, but don't make 10 tracks dedicated to that. From his lyrics, he seems like the lonely, creepy guy staring through the window of a restaurant while a couple sips wine and laughs. Obviously, he's been through heartbreak. Maybe this album is a dedication to the girl he lost and he's trying to reach out to her. But by following in Coldplay's footsteps of an entire album of "second chances" and "I was wrong, take me back", Sam Smith gets boring fast. He took a giant leap by releasing these songs as his debut album. This album makes an impression of who he really is. The image portrayed through the songs sees Sam as a lost little puppy in a rainstorm, wanting a hug and some hot cocoa.

    However, the songs are catchy enough to sound better than the average pop, incorporating strings, acoustics, and of course, the powerhouse vocals of Sam himself. The only problem is that Sam Smith has fallen into a web of popularity too early. Like a contestant on American Idol, he forced out something that sounds incomplete, or rather, something that lacks personality. We can learn two things about Sam Smith through his debut album: He doesn't "do it for the money", he does it "for the love" and he wants every girl to "leave their lover" for him.

    Sam Smith's career started on a high note. With a phenomenal first EP filled with sensual and savory selections and a few guest appearances that appealed to the masses, he was headed in the right direction. Then he caught the pop star fever and fell hard into mainstream success. It's true that his record sales are impressive, but when the songs being bought need work, is it really worth the hype?

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  4. Jun 17, 2014
    5
    I really like this album but yes, I get really depressed and sad every time i listen to it lol! I wish he could just cheer up because his voice really is good on the upbeat tracks. Sorry Sam. I like you but get happy! :)
  5. Jan 11, 2015
    4
    Posee una gran voz; pero la desaprovecha cumpliendo las funciones de cómo ser un artista pop de taquilla. Y aunque en "Money on my Mind" él trata de contarnos cómo es que en realidad sólo hace música por el gusto de hacerla, entonces por qué no dedica su gran voz a realizar canciones con un contenido lírico más enriquecedor y con más potencial, en vez de irse al lado popero para no serPosee una gran voz; pero la desaprovecha cumpliendo las funciones de cómo ser un artista pop de taquilla. Y aunque en "Money on my Mind" él trata de contarnos cómo es que en realidad sólo hace música por el gusto de hacerla, entonces por qué no dedica su gran voz a realizar canciones con un contenido lírico más enriquecedor y con más potencial, en vez de irse al lado popero para no ser recordado después de un par de décadas. Es un álbum digno de escuchar si quieres oír una excelente voz; pero si gustas de las típicas tragedias amorosas y/o románticas, este es tu álbum. Expand
  6. Mar 15, 2015
    6
    This album has great lyrics but I feel that it's just like every other album. Nothing surprising it's all about heartbreak.... Even though this of them has great number one song favorite is stay with me

    OVERALL GRADE 78 C+
    Album feels old
  7. May 14, 2023
    4
    She has a beautiful voice that makes me feel in the sound but no, only a few are saved but the truth is that the mediocre album with its composition repeats the same formula that makes it unbearable
  8. Nov 11, 2017
    4
    In The Lonely Hour marks how repetitive pop/soul can get. This album is so straightforward it's insane, it knows exactly where it is going which is good for a pop album like 1989 but for this genre cohesive songs are what you don't want.
  9. Feb 18, 2015
    6
    In the Lonely Hour undoubtedly is not worthy of four Grammy awards, but that does not mean that is drawn according as bad record.
    The album begins with the disappointing confused Money On My Mind. And from there becomes reasonable, no more than that, diving into ballads with a touch of soul and making a sort of male version of Adele in "Like i can."
    The vocals of Sam, although they are
    In the Lonely Hour undoubtedly is not worthy of four Grammy awards, but that does not mean that is drawn according as bad record.
    The album begins with the disappointing confused Money On My Mind. And from there becomes reasonable, no more than that, diving into ballads with a touch of soul and making a sort of male version of Adele in "Like i can."
    The vocals of Sam, although they are based on female vocals, still manage to bring some excitement to the album.
    Nothing more than a confused record, and far short of expectations for someone with talent like Sam.
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  10. Mar 27, 2016
    4
    People need to stop blowing smoke up Sam Smith's arse. Generic name, generic, derivative music and generic clichéd lyrics, and people are acting like he's the next Michael Jackson or something. His voice is annoying and at times sounds like a dolphin being strangled. Other than that there isn't anything offensively bad about his music, but it does absolutely nothing to challenge orPeople need to stop blowing smoke up Sam Smith's arse. Generic name, generic, derivative music and generic clichéd lyrics, and people are acting like he's the next Michael Jackson or something. His voice is annoying and at times sounds like a dolphin being strangled. Other than that there isn't anything offensively bad about his music, but it does absolutely nothing to challenge or surprise the listener. Collapse
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Q Magazine
    Jul 2, 2014
    60
    In The Lonely Hour starts promisingly.... The second half declines into self-pity, windy balladry and squeaky-strings-as-authenticity cliche. [Aug 2014, p.110]
  2. Jun 23, 2014
    58
    In the Lonely Hour is less meaningless and vapid than a song as unapologetically hammy as “Classic,” but the result is unfortunately the same.
  3. Jun 20, 2014
    70
    Where Smith will follow his muse next is anyone’s guess, but for now, his talent is a clear force to be reckoned with and his debut is ripe with promise.