Album Review: Sam Smith’s Love Goes is all about breakups and coming to terms with their sexual identity

Sam Smith’s melodiously exceptional voice begins their latest album Love Goes with a spiritual introduction to a new romance-filled record. “They’re watching me, judging me, making me feel so used,” they belt out in Young, religiously singing a cappella intensified only by the digitally created reverb effect.

It’s a melancholic start that sets the mood for an intimate album that epitomizes Smith’s personal reflection on coming to terms with their sexual identity as someone who last year came out publicly as non-binary. With their latest album, Smith also hints at difficult past relationships and probably the breakup with actor Brandon Flynn, which they have declared has been hard to get over. Compared to other prominent breakup albums and songs Smith is polite and gracious – as commonly known of their manner.

Even when in Young they sing “all I wanna do, is get a little wild, get a little high, kiss a hundred boys and not feel like I'm tied to them,” the urgency in acting crazy never transpires. While Smith speaks of longing for being wilder without being judged by the public eye, he also fills this album with comfortable heart-felt ballads and suave tunes.  

Nevertheless, in a 17 song-long breakup album they only get into exploring the fiercer and stormier emotions that a love ending causes in a few tracks that distinguish themselves from Smith’s usual slow-paced repertoire. Curiously enough, in the two-part album – split for no apparent purpose – the tracks that stand out the most are also those that are somewhat bitter and the most critical of past relationships or lovers, even if Smith ends up resorting to remorse or taking on the blame for trusting someone.  

Diamonds, for example, is definitely one of this album’s hits with its catchy beat and powerful lyrics, a piece that shows Smith’s exploration of newer musical territories. Starting off with their voice accompanied by simple piano chords the song then transitions to a dance mood that heavily relies on percussions and digital effects. “You're never gonna hear my heartbreak, never gonna move in dark ways, baby, you're so cruel, my diamonds leave with you,” clearly points to an ex who was only looking for their money and wealth.

How Do You Sleep? blames a lover or ex-lover who seemingly lied to them. “Baby, how do you sleep when you lie to me? All that shame and all that danger,” they sing about their lover’s betrayal. His unique vocal skills are accompanied by an interesting electronic beat and selection of percussions: from a xylophone to a full-on drum ensemble.

Dance (‘Til You Love Someone Else) is an upbeat, traditional disco piece about moving on. Its simple lyrics and repetitiveness literally make you want to get up and “Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance.”

In their dynamic duet with Demi Lovato, I’m Ready, Smith states “I've been waiting patiently for a beautiful lover, he's not a cheater, a believer, he's a warm, warm-blooded achiever.” As represented in the innovative music video, it’s a confident song about facing challenges and winning, especially as a non-binary person. Fittingly enough their partner for the song is Lovato, who has also stated in the past she is “fluid” in her sexual interests. 

 These little samples of what award-winning Smith is experimenting with, help provide variety to the album, bending away from their familiar, dreamy falsetto voice everyone grew to love in Stay With Me or I’m Not the Only One. While everyone enjoys a new song to wallow on after a fight with our loved one, it’s interesting to see what Smith’s ventures will lead to in the next few years.

Perhaps the extensive group of professionals Sam Smith worked with both as writer and producer for their third album contributed to the musical diversity in this record. The album included Smith’s long-time collaborator James Napier, the multi-award-winning British producer Steve Mac, a number of Swedish pop masters like Shellback, Oscar Görres, Linus Wiklund, Svensson, and Stargate duo Hermansen and Eriksen. Guy Lawrence from the electronic music duo Disclosure also collaborated on a couple of tracks.  

The album was originally due for release on May 1st, 2020 with the title To Die For. Postponed to June and then October 30th due to COVID-19, the album was renamed because of Smith’s fear that the word ‘die’ in the title was insensitive in a moment that had been so much about death.   

Many critics have described it as an average album but give it a couple of listens before blowing it off. This album definitely has some interesting music to dive into this November and keep you busy before the Christmas jingles take over. A good way to close this 2020 with hope for a very musically interesting new year.