About this episodeSam Smith discusses the evolution of their career from unrequited love anthems to a new era of reciprocated qu…AI summary
Sam Smith discusses the evolution of their career from unrequited love anthems to a new era of reciprocated queer joy in the album 'Hazel Eyes,' highlighting a deliberate shift away from commercial pop structures toward artistic freedom. The conversation reveals how vocal dysphoria, industry pushback on 'Unholy,' and personal safety concerns shaped their public presentation, while also detailing the technical innovations in their studio production process.
Key takeaways 6
Vocal Dysphoria: Smith experienced significant dysphoria regarding their voice, initially crying after hearing their first recording at age 13 because it didn't match their internal perception, leading to years of being critical of their own sound.
Strategic Presentation Shift: After a homophobic attack at age 18, Smith intentionally toned down feminine presentation (makeup/dresses) for safety in London, which inadvertently opened industry doors; they later returned to femme presentation despite industry pushback regarding attractiveness.
Songwriting Structure Challenge: For 'Hazel Eyes,' Smith deliberately avoided traditional pop hooks in the first 20 seconds, opting instead for hooks that build later in the song (e.g., two minutes in) to challenge industry norms and create deeper engagement.
Studio Production Technique: Smith acts as their own choir and sound designer by singing parts that are then vocally processed or interpreted by musicians to create synth pads, drum beats, and backing choirs, rather than relying solely on digital instruments.
Unholy as a Turning Point: The success of 'Unholy' gave Smith permission to express all shades of their personality without fear, breaking the bubble of being seen solely as a heartbreak ballad singer and validating their playful, sexual side.
Vocal Evolution: At 34, Smith's voice has naturally lowered and gained a fuller tone due to age and the physical toll of nearly 1,000 shows; they are actively exploring new timbres and mixes of head/chest voice (falsetto) to adapt to these changes.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I burst into tears because I though it was the worst thing ever. And I was like, 'In my head, I sound so much better than that.'”
▶ 2:39Describing the moment at age 13 when Smith first heard their recorded voice and experienced dysphoria.
“I think it would've been possible [to be successful presenting femme]. I believe in myself... I don't think it would've been on that scale. Maybe eventually.”
▶ 7:10Reflecting on whether early success would have happened if they hadn't toned down their feminine presentation for safety.
“I became my own choir. I become my own hype man. I become my own like, I become my own sound effect. Like I create sounds and instruments with my voice.”
Explaining the production technique used on 'Hazel Eyes' where Smith sings parts that are then manipulated or recreated by musicians.
“'Unholy' has given me permission just to do what I want now in my life... Seeing people's reaction to that song... I feel like I can express all shades and colors of myself now with no kind of fear.”
▶ 21:59Discussing how the massive success of 'Unholy' liberated them from the expectation of only singing heartbreak ballads.
“'Hazel Eyes' is like this deep confession... a new traditional Queer love romance album... I'm also really hungry to shake my titties... encapsulate some of the really, the way that I feel in my relationship where I feel I'm still 34 and I love to dance.”
▶ 18:42Contrasting the depth of 'Hazel Eyes' with the playful, hyper-pop energy of upcoming projects inspired by their current relationship.
Chapters & Sections (13)▼
0:00Early singing experiences and voice dysphoriachapter2
2:46Impact of homophobic attack on presentation
4:29Navigating gender expression and industry pressure
6:37Queer Identity, Unrequited Love, and New Albumchapter1
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