Sam Smith has announced their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, marking their first full-length release since 2023's Gloria. The new record is set to arrive on August 21, 2026, with fans getting their first taste of the project through the newly released single My Guy.
The Grammy, BRIT, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning singer unveiled details of the album on Wednesday, describing the project as one of the most personal records of their career.
Written over a period of more than three years, Hazel Eyes sees Smith taking on a larger creative role, serving as both a writer and producer throughout the album's development.
Speaking about the record, Smith said: "This album is an incredibly special record to me. I have been writing it for over three years with a very small group of beautiful, dear friends of mine. This album is very personal, and I feel I have deepened myself as an artist through the making of it, through being a producer on the record, to walking alongside this record from the start to the finish and pushing myself at every single turn."
They added: "This record and this music is incredibly romantic. I've learned so many life lessons through making this album, and I've documented it all through the music."
Sam Smith. Ben Houdijk, Shutterstock
Released alongside the album announcement, My Guy offers an early glimpse into the sound and themes of the forthcoming record. The song serves as a heartfelt tribute to New York City, which Smith now calls home, and explores themes of love, vulnerability and self-discovery.
Discussing the track, Smith said: "This is a song that I feel I have been waiting a lifetime to write and sing. Written with beautiful friends on a summer's day in New York, this one fell out of the sky. In this sometimes cold and distant world, I hope you can feel the love and the closeness of this recording."
They continued: "I tried to capture the glow and the warmth of love in this one, it makes me cry, maybe it will make you feel a little love too."
Sam Smith, My Guy Single Cover
The 12-track album was largely created in New York, with Smith working closely with longtime collaborator Simon Aldred as well as acclaimed artists including Feist and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily.
Portions of the album were recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studios, with the project drawing inspiration from a broad range of musical influences, including baroque pop, British folk, outlaw country and alternative R&B.
The announcement follows a series of intimate live performances that have introduced audiences to Smith's new music.
Their ongoing To Be Free residency shows have already visited venues in Brooklyn and San Francisco, blending classic hits with unreleased material from the forthcoming album.
The concerts have also featured surprise guest appearances from artists including Hozier, Ed Sheeran, Brandi Carlile and Kim Petras.
Smith is due to continue the residency series this summer with a performance at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, with additional global dates expected to be announced in the coming months.
The singer has also been actively promoting the new era with a number of high-profile performances, including the debut of My Guy at the inaugural MAJ Awards in Japan and a recent appearance on Later... with Jools Holland.
Later this week, Smith will perform at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City, helping launch the city's Pride weekend celebrations at a venue that honours the legacy of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.
Hazel Eyes follows a remarkable run of success for Smith, whose career has produced global hits including Stay With Me, Too Good at Goodbyes and Unholy.
Since releasing their debut album In The Lonely Hour in 2014, Smith has become one of the most successful British artists of their generation, amassing billions of streams worldwide and collecting some of the music industry's highest honours along the way.
Hazel Eyes full tracklist:
