Sam Smith Announces New Album ‘Hazel Eyes,’ Releases ‘My Guy’ Single

Sam Smith has officially announced the details of their highly anticipated fifth studio album, *Hazel Eyes*, which is set for release on August 21 through Capitol Records. The 12-track collection was co-produced by Smith alongside Simon Aldred and David Odlum, featuring contributions from a distinguished group of collaborators including Feist, Shahzad Ismaily, and Rob Moose. Parts of the album were recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, a legendary facility founded by Jimi Hendrix in 1970 that has hosted icons like David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. According to promotional materials, the album is described as "a heartfelt ode to the city of New York, which Sam now calls home," reflecting a deep personal connection to the urban landscape that shaped its creation.

In a statement, Smith expressed profound emotional ties to the project, saying, "This album is incredibly special to me. I’ve been writing it for over three years with a small circle of dear friends. It’s very personal, and through producing it, I feel I’ve grown as an artist. I walked alongside this record from start to finish, pushing myself at every turn. It’s deeply romantic, and I’ve documented all the life lessons I’ve learned along the way." Music critic Laura Thompson noted, "Smith stepping into a co-production role represents a major artistic shift, emphasizing greater creative autonomy and a more intimate approach to their sound." This evolution aligns with a broader trend in pop music where artists increasingly take control of production to craft more nuanced narratives. For context, Smith’s previous album *Gloria* (2023) featured the Grammy-winning hit "Unholy" with Kim Petras, which earned the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, demonstrating their ability to blend commercial success with personal expression.

To mark the album’s announcement, Smith has released a new single, "My Guy," co-written with Feist and Ismaily, along with a music video. The singer shared, "This is a song I feel I’ve waited a lifetime to write and sing. It came together with beautiful friends on a summer’s day in New York, almost like it fell from the sky. In a world that can feel cold and distant, I hope you sense the love and closeness in this recording. I tried to capture love’s glow and warmth—it makes me cry, and maybe it’ll make you feel a bit of love too." The single follows Smith’s recent residencies at Brooklyn’s Warsaw and San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, a historic venue dating back to 1922 that underwent a $2 million renovation in 2022, highlighting Smith’s commitment to intimate performance spaces. Below is the full tracklist for *Hazel Eyes*, offering fans a glimpse into the album’s thematic journey through love and self-discovery.