Sam Smith's 'Hazel Eyes': A New Chapter in Queer Pop

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Sam Smith discussed their new album 'Hazel Eyes,' a collection of explicitly queer love songs that marks a departure from their earlier work. The album, which includes tracks like 'My Guy' and 'Constant Companion,' features a more diverse range of genres, including country, R&B, and dance. Smith, who came out as nonbinary in 2019, reflected on their journey from the gender-neutral pronouns of their debut 'In the Lonely Hour' (2014) to the unapologetic queer themes of 'Hazel Eyes.' They credited the success of their 2022 single 'Unholy' with giving them the freedom to explore new sounds and expressions. Smith also discussed the challenges of navigating the music industry's expectations, including pushback from their team over releasing 'Unholy' as a single, and the homophobic attack they experienced in London that led them to tone down their femme presentation early in their career. The interview also touched on Smith's evolving relationship with their voice, their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan, and their upcoming electro-influenced project. Smith emphasized that 'Hazel Eyes' is a 'new traditional queer-love romance album,' inspired by their current reciprocated love, and represents a deepening of their artistry.