Review: Sam Smith :: Gloria

The cheeky, synthesizer-driven song “Unholy”, which flirts with hyperpop, tells of the secret sexual excesses of an only superficially good husband. In the accompanying music video, we accompany the protagonist to a wicked establishment modeled after the legendary LA Sunset Strip Club “Body Shop”. Lived promiscuity, fluid gender boundaries and Sam Smith await us, dancing lasciviously on a stage decorated with antique statues: Welcome to queer paradise, welcome to GLORIA.

? Buy GLORIA at Amazon.de

The fourth album of the non-binary pop star from England is a witty mix of different genres that Sam Smith mixes bolder than before, without neglecting those soulful ballads accompanied by gentle piano or guitar tones that made him great. The queer icon also dares to do an electronic dance number that sounds a bit too generic (“Lose You”), convinces with two soulful R’n’B tracks (“Perfect”, “Six Shots”) and surprises with something sacred in the title song choral singing.

Unfortunately, while Smith’s virtuoso voice inspires almost throughout, the courage and energy of “Unholy” only shimmers through occasionally on the album, for example on the powerful feel-good hit “Gimme” with reggae artist Koffee and the Canadian Singer Jessie Reyez. Nevertheless, GLORIA is a lively, gripping and, above all, sexy pop album.

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