Sam Smith: Hazel Eyes, New York & Love | Zane Lowe Interview

Name: Sam Smith: Hazel Eyes, New York & Love | Zane Lowe Interview
Uploaded: 2026-08-20T05:13:54-07:00
Duration: 45 min 1 s
Channel: Apple Music
Description: Sam Smith discusses the release of their third album, 'Hazel Eyes', describing it as a liberating 'exorcism' and a journey toward self-acceptance as an…

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About this episode Sam Smith discusses the release of their third album, 'Hazel Eyes', describing it as a liberating 'exorcism' a… AI summary

Sam Smith discusses the release of their third album, 'Hazel Eyes', describing it as a liberating 'exorcism' and a journey toward self-acceptance as an openly queer and non-binary artist. The conversation highlights a shift from seeking external validation to embracing authentic creative expression, supported by a close-knit team and a partner who fosters self-compassion.

Key takeaways 5

Creative Process: Smith utilizes a 'visual' and instinctual approach, dancing in the studio to convey emotion rather than relying on technical perfection or click tracks, resulting in a 'sepia world' aesthetic that feels timeless and old-world.
Queer Identity in Music: The album serves as a 'gateway to freedom' after previous works were constrained by industry expectations; Smith notes that queer love is often depicted as messy or painful, but this record captures the 'radical' and joyful nature of non-binary love.
Self-Compassion: Smith learned to be softer on themselves through their relationship with partner Christian, realizing that being hard on oneself transfers negative expectations to the world, whereas gentleness allows for deeper emotional access in art.
Industry Evolution: Smith contrasts the 'pop ho' culture of session-based production with the current album's intimate, long-term collaboration with producer Simon Aldred, emphasizing the value of having 'grown-ups' and mentors in the industry.
Mental Health & Solitude: Moving away from the 'quiet life' of England which felt uninspiring, Smith found autonomy and freedom in New York City, balancing the need for travel with the grounding presence of pets and domestic routines like reading and bathing.

Notable quotes 5 AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.

“It was a full-blown exorcism... It felt like a really messy birth.”

▶ 2:25 Describing the emotional release and transformative nature of creating the album.
“My job is to express. Yes. And just leave it at that.”

▶ 1:31 Reflecting on letting go of the need for external perception or validation.
“Dramatically timeless.”

A phrase coined by the host to describe Smith's artistic identity, which Smith adopts to describe the vintage yet radical nature of queer love in their music.
“I thought that when I fell in love I wouldn't be able to access sadness, melancholy... And um I I actually realized I captured I can capture it more intensely actually now because now I I think I feel deeper things through love than I did before.”

▶ 26:20 Explaining how love deepened their ability to write about complex emotions like those in the song 'Thief'.
“The women in our family are like Marmite. She said, 'People either love us or hate us.' And I have become a big tub of Marmite.”

▶ 42:22 Smith embracing their polarizing nature and finding comfort in their DNA.