British singer Sam Smith released their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, on August 21, 2026, marking a personal and musical shift towards romantic stability.
The 12-track record follows the artist's 2023 release Gloria and reflects a new phase of emotional security, writing for the first time about reciprocal love rather than heartbreak.
The title Hazel Eyes pays tribute to the hazel eyes of fashion designer Christian Cowan, Smith's partner and fiance. Smith created the album as a musical love letter to the person with whom they share their life, replacing the themes of unrequited romance that defined much of their earlier discography.
A focus on reciprocal love
Instead of focusing solely on loss or heartbreak, the album explores the happiness of finding a stable relationship and feeling supported. Among the tracks is Everlasting Love, a song Smith began writing before meeting Cowan and completed after their relationship developed, serving as a reflection of their romantic evolution.
Smith, 34, first gained global prominence with their 2014 debut album In the Lonely Hour, which earned four Grammy Awards and established them as a leading voice in pop and soul music. While earlier works drew heavily from emotional pain, Hazel Eyes shifts the narrative toward lasting contentment.
Co-production and creative control
The album was created alongside Smith's long-time collaborator Simon Aldred. For the first time in their recording career, Smith took on co-production duties across the project.
This increased involvement reflects Smith's intention to take control of their artistic output and step away from external music industry pressures. Aldred, an English songwriter who previously co-wrote Smith's hit single Stay with Me, helped shape the album's intimate atmosphere.
Collaborations and full track list
Hazel Eyes comprises 12 songs and includes two featured collaborations: Moondance, featuring Canadian singer Feist, and Oh Mother, featuring The TwoCity Chorus. Ahead of the album release, Smith teased the project with three singles: My Guy, To Be Free, and Love Is A Stillness.
The full track list for Hazel Eyes is:
- Everlasting Love
- Hazel Eyes
- Moondance (feat. Feist)
- My Guy
- When He's Gone
- Thief
- Love Is A Stillness
- Sugar Rush
- Oh Mother (feat. The TwoCity Chorus)
- Constant Companion
- Hold On
- To Be Free
Individual tracks explore distinct emotional themes within the project. The single When He's Gone converts absence into a fresh musical story, while Oh Mother touches on themes of betrayal, heartbreak, and hope.
A return to musical roots
Musically, Hazel Eyes marks a return to soul, adult pop, and singer-songwriter traditions. Moving away from the provocative production of Gloria, the new album relies on warmer arrangements, vocal performance, and personal storytelling.
Smith drew upon their decade-long career to build a personal sound featuring retro influences and production choices that leave room for vulnerability. The project prioritizes emotion and narrative over chasing commercial chart hits.
Creative freedom at 34
Reflecting on the release at age 34, Smith explained that this stage of their career was defined by greater creative freedom and the opportunity to present themselves authentically after years of navigating public scrutiny and career expectations.
Smith described the album as much more than a standard release, calling it a reflection of stability, love, and self-discovery. By setting aside the heartbreak of earlier projects, the artist begins a new chapter centered on the joy of mutual love.
