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Gloria
Studio album by Sam Smith
Released	27 January 2023 (2023-01-27)
Genre	Pop
Length	33:03
Label	Capitol
Producer	Sam Smith Jimmy Napes StarGate Ilya Cirkut Blake Slatkin Calvin Harris Omer Fedi Anju Blaxx David Odlum Steve Mac Los Hendrix Nez
Sam Smith chronology
Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios (2021) Gloria (2023)
Singles from Gloria
"Love Me More" Released: 28 April 2022 "Unholy" Released: 22 September 2022 "Gimme" Released: 11 January 2023 "I'm Not Here to Make Friends" Released: 27 January 2023

Gloria is the fourth studio album by English singer and songwriter Sam Smith, released on 27 January 2023 through Capitol Records. It is Smith's first album since Love Goes (2020). It was preceded by the singles "Love Me More", "Unholy", a collaboration with German singer Kim Petras, and "Gimme", a collaboration with Jamaican musician Koffee and Canadian singer Jessie Reyez. "Unholy" was promoted as the lead single and topped the charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, becoming both Smith and Petras' first chart-topper in the latter. Upon release, the album received generally favourable reviews from music critics.

Background and recording

The album was recorded between Los Angeles, London and Jamaica, with Smith working with regular collaborators Jimmy Napes, Stargate and Ilya Salmanzadeh, as well as expecting further contributions from Los Hendrix, Max Martin and Calvin Harris. Smith stated that the album "feels like a coming of age" and got them "through some dark times", and expressed a hope that it could also be a "beacon" for listeners. A press release called it a "personal revolution" for Smith, containing the "dazzling, sumptuous, sophisticated, unexpected and at times thrilling, edgy sound of Sam's creative heart today", as well as lyrics about "sex, lies, passion, self-expression, and imperfection".

Promotion

Smith announced the album on their social media accounts on 17 October 2022, writing a note to their "dearest sailors", Smith's name for their fans, and sharing the cover art, a portrait of Smith with bleached hair wearing a golden earring of an anchor and pearl.

Singles

The first track to be released from the album was the single "Love Me More" on 28 April 2022. "Unholy", a collaboration with German singer Kim Petras, followed on 22 September 2022 and was promoted as the lead single. It reached number one in several countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, as well as number one on the Billboard Global 200.

The track "Gimme" was released as the album's third single on 11 January 2023. It is a collaboration with Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez and Jamaican musician Koffee.

Promotional singles

"Gloria" was released on 20 January 2023, seven days before Gloria, as a promotional single.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	6.1/10
Metacritic	70/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
Clash	7/10
DIY
Evening Standard
The Guardian
The Irish Times
Metro
NME
Pitchfork	6.2/10

Gloria received a score of 70 out of 100 based on 10 reviews on review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. Maura Johnston of Rolling Stone called Gloria Smith's "deepest album yet" and described it as "a compact, steadily flowing collection of pop songs that showcase Smith's vocal versatility and personal growth" with lyrics about "Smith's experiences as a queer person who was raised Catholic" throughout. Gary Bushell of the Daily Express found the album to be "less gloomy than 2020's Love Goes, beautiful in places, and packed with surprises". Nick Levine of NME wrote that the album "really is the most surprising, satisfying and vital work of career" and at its heart is a "personal exploration of the broader queer experience that recalls George Michael's classic 1996 album Older".

Reviewing the album for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis was critical of the press release's claims of "experimentation", writing that while there are "hints of R&B, trap and disco" amongst the ballads and tracks similar to their "piano-led sound" of previous releases, "there's still something underwhelming about Gloria: the feeling that it's more of the same is more prevalent than it should be". David Smyth of the Evening Standard felt that "Unholy", a "masterpiece of oversexualised nonsense", "sticks out outrageously in the middle of this fourth album" as the rest of the tracks are "rather grey" by comparison. Smyth concluded that it is "a shame the songs, well crafted as they are, don't always match the self belief" Smith's lyrics have.

Writing for Pitchfork Jamieson Cox opined that by this point of Smith's career, "an artist whose writing has long tended toward the bland and impersonal has grown into a vision and identity that can be compromised by mediocre features" like those of Jessie Reyez, with Cox calling "Gimme" and "Perfect" "anodyne at best and grating at worst", and Ed Sheeran, with Cox finding "Who We Love" to be "basically Sheeran's 'Same Love,'" with lyrics that lay out "trite scenes".

Emma Madden, reviewing for Metro, gave the album 2/5 stars, writing that "sex and queerness do indeed feature in the album, but in a way that feels tacked on out of obligation The references are extremely ham-fisted and obvious". Madden also felt that Gloria feels "slipshod and confused".

Track listing

Personnel

Musicians

• Sam Smith – vocals (1, 2, 4–9, 11–13), programming (tracks 3, 10), background vocals (6)
• Jodi Milliner – bass guitar (1, 2, 5, 7, 8)
• Ben Jones – guitar (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 11)
• Reuben James – organ (1), Rhodes (2, 8), piano (5, 8)
• Jimmy Napes – programming (1, 2, 4, 5, 9), background vocals (6)
• Mikkel S. Eriksen – programming (1, 2, 5, 9)
• Tor Erik Hermansen – programming (1, 2, 5, 9)
• Alexis Marche Addison – additional vocals (1)
• Amber Clemons – additional vocals (1)
• Ant Clemons – additional vocals (1)
• Ashley Clemons – additional vocals (1)
• Cedric Jackson II – additional vocals (1)
• Daniel Cagan – additional vocals (1)
• Darien Champagne – additional vocals (1)
• Dylan Del-Olmo – additional vocals (1)
• Eric Bellinger – additional vocals (1)
• Jasmine "GoGo" Morrow – additional vocals (1)
• Jeremih – additional vocals (1)
• Julian Blake Ray – additional vocals (1)
• Julian Tabb – additional vocals (1)
• Jwan Anthony – additional vocals (1)
• Scott Carter – additional vocals (1)
• Shameka Marie – additional vocals (1)
• Solomon Fulton – additional vocals (1)
• Tayler Green – additional vocals (1)
• Ty Dolla Sign – additional vocals (1)
• Vanessa "Nettie" Wood – additional vocals (1)
• Jerry Wonda – bass guitar (1)
• Ladonna Young – background vocals (2, 8, 9), vocals (4)
• Vula Malinga – background vocals (2, 8, 9), vocals (4)
• Patrick Linton – background vocals (2, 9), vocals (4)
• Chris Worsey – cello (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Ian Burdge – cello (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Tony Woollard – cello (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Vicky Matthews – cello (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Chris Laurence – double bass (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Stacey Watton – double bass (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Earl Harvin – drums (2, 5, 8)
• Simon Hale – string arrangement (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Adrian Smith – viola (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Andy Parker – viola (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Jenny Lewisohn – viola (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• John Metcalfe – viola (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Reiad Chibah – viola (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Charis Jenson – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Charlie Brown – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Everton Nelson – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Ian Humphries – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Louisa Fuller – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Lucy Wilkins – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Marianne Haynes – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Natalia Bonner – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Patrick Kiernan – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Perry Montague-Mason – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Richard George – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Steve Morris – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Warren Zielinski – violin (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
• Blake Slatkin – programming (4)
• Cirkut – programming (4), background vocals (6)
• Ilya – programming (4), background vocals (6)
• Omer Fedi – programming (4); bass guitar, guitar (7)
• Nuno Bettencourt – guitar (5)
• Jessie Reyez – vocals (5, 9, 11)
• Kim Petras – vocals (6)
• Mike Hough – background vocals (8)
• Loshendrix – programming (8)
• Nez – programming (8)
• Koffee – vocals (9)
• Calvin Harris – programming (11)
• Alison Ponsford-Hill – background vocals (12)
• Andrew Tipple – background vocals (12)
• Caroline Fitzgerald – background vocals (12)
• Catriona Holsgrove – background vocals (12)
• Christina Gill – background vocals (12)
• Edmund Hastings – background vocals (12)
• Edward Ballard – background vocals (12)
• Edward Grint – background vocals (12)
• Elizabeth Poole – background vocals (12)
• George Cook – background vocals (12)
• Henry Moss – background vocals (12)
• Jacqueline Barron – background vocals (12)
• James Botcher – background vocals (12)
• James Davey – background vocals (12)
• Jenni Harper – background vocals (12)
• Jonathan Wood – background vocals (12)
• Judi Brown – background vocals (12)
• Ksynia Loeffler – background vocals (12)
• Lotte Betts-Dean – background vocals (12)
• Natalie Clifton Griffith – background vocals (12)
• Philip Brown – background vocals (12)
• Philippa Murray – background vocals (12)
• Robin Bailey – background vocals (12)
• Ruth Kiang – background vocals (12)
• Sara Davey – background vocals (12)
• Steve Trowell – background vocals (12)
• Vanessa Heine – background vocals (12)
• Victoria Meteyard – background vocals (12)
• London Voices – choir (12)
• Lucy Goddard – chorus master (12)
• Ben Parry – musical direction (12)
• Johnny McDaid – bass guitar, guitar (13)
• Chris Laws – drums (13)
• Steve Mac – keyboards (13)
• Ed Sheeran – vocals (13)

Technical

• Randy Merrill – mastering
• Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing (1)
• Steve Fitzmaurice – mixing (2, 3, 5, 8–11, 13)
• Serban Ghenea – mixing (4, 6, 7)
• David Odlum – mixing (12)
• Gus Pirelli – engineering (1, 2, 4–9, 11–13)
• Mikkel S. Eriksen – engineering (1, 2, 5, 9, 11)
• Gordon Davidson – engineering (2–6, 8, 11–13)
• Chris Laws – engineering (13)
• Dan Pursey – engineering (13)
• Freddie Light – additional engineering (2–6, 8, 11–13)
• George Oulton – additional engineering (2–6, 8, 11–13)
• Bryce Bordone – mixing assistance (4, 6, 7)
• Thomas Warren – engineering assistance (1)
• Ed Farrell – engineering assistance (2, 4–9, 11)
• Miles Wheway – engineering assistance (2–6, 8, 11, 13)
• Natalia Milanesi – engineering assistance (2–6, 8, 11, 13)
• Ira Grylack – engineering assistance (4, 6–8)
• Lance Powell – engineering assistance (8, 12)

Release history

References

1. ^ Johnston, Maura (24 January 2023). "Sam Smith's 'Gloria' Is Their Deepest Album Yet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
2. "Sam Smith 'I'm not here to make friends' | (Radio Date: 27/01/2023)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved 28 January 2023.
3. Irwin, Jack (17 October 2022). "Sam Smith Announces Upcoming 4th Studio Album 'Gloria' and Says It 'Feels Like a Coming of Age'". People. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
4. Aswad, Jem (17 October 2022). "Sam Smith Announces New Album, 'Gloria': an 'Emotional, Sexual and Spiritual Liberation'". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
5. Whitaker, Marisa (17 October 2022). "Sam Smith Sets January Release For New Album, Gloria". Spin. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
6. ^ Mier, Tomás (17 October 2022). "Sam Smith Announces Fourth Album 'Gloria': It 'Feels Like a Coming of Age'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
7. Skinner, Tom (21 April 2022). "Sam Smith announces brand new single 'Love Me More'". NME. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
8. Skinner, Tom (23 September 2022). "Sam Smith teams up with Kim Petras on throbbing new single 'Unholy'". NME. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
9. Patton, Alli (25 September 2022). "Sam Smith Drops 'Unholy' Collaboration with Kim Petras". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
10. Trust, Gary (24 October 2022). "Sam Smith & Kim Petras' 'Unholy' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
11. Wass, Mike (17 October 2022). "Kim Petras on the Global (and Grammy?) Success of Sam Smith Collab 'Unholy,' and Singing With Max Martin". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
12. Richards, Will (21 January 2023). "Sam Smith shares Gloria title track, their 'queer love hymn'". NME. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
13. ^ "Sam Smith – Gloria". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
14. ^ "Gloria by Sam Smith Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
15. Hussain, Shahzaib (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith – Gloria". Clash.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
16. Watson, Elly (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith – Gloria review". DIY.
17. ^ Smyth, David (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith: Gloria album review – well crafted but oh so sensible". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
18. ^ Petridis, Alexis (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith: Gloria review – so-called experimentation only offers more anodyne anguish". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
19. Murphy, Lauren (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith: Gloria – close but not quite their magnum opus". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
20. Madden, Emma (27 January 2023). "Gloria by Sam Smith review: Entire album feels slipshod and confused". Metro. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
21. ^ Levine, Nick (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith – 'Gloria' review: the most vital work of their career". NME. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
22. ^ Cox, Jamieson (27 January 2023). "Sam Smith: Gloria Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
23. Bushell, Gary (26 January 2023). "Sam Smith Gloria review: A glorious album that is full of surprises". Daily Express. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
24. Madden, Emma (27 January 2023). "Gloria by Sam Smith review: Entire album feels slipshod and confused". Metro. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
25. "Sam Smith / グロリア". Tower Records Japan. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

• 2023 albums
• Albums produced by Calvin Harris
• Albums produced by Cirkut
• Albums produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh
• Albums produced by Jimmy Napes
• Albums produced by Omer Fedi
• Albums produced by Stargate
• Capitol Records albums
• Sam Smith (singer) albums