Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28
Sam Smith Releases 12-Track 'Hazel Eyes' Album as Fiancé Christian Cowan Inspires Queer Love Songs
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28

Sam Smith Releases 12-Track 'Hazel Eyes' Album as Fiancé Christian Cowan Inspires Queer Love Songs

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28

Summary

  • Aug. 21 is the release date for “Hazel Eyes,” Sam Smith’s new album, which closely traces their romance with fashion designer Christian Cowan, now their fiancé.
  • “Everlasting Love,” the opening track, began the night before their first date and became Smith’s first body of work centered on requited love rather than heartbreak.
  • 12 dreamy songs were made largely outside the usual label system, with Smith working on their own terms and bringing in collaborators including Feist and a full gospel choir.
  • New York also shaped the record: Smith said their adopted home gave them freedom as a queer artist and partner, reinforcing the album’s open celebration of a same-sex relationship.

Insights

How will Sam Smith’s risky shift from polished heartbreak anthems to indie-crafted queer joy impact their upcoming August 2026 album release?
Does ditching massive studio teams for a gospel choir and indie collaborators signal a true era of artistic rebellion for Sam Smith?