Sam Smith's ' The Thrill of It All' shows he may be Adele's male counterpart
Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s “The Thrill of It All”
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Sam Smith  follows up  his  2014 debut  “In the Lonely Hour ” with  his  sophomore effort  “The Thrill of it All.” Much like its predecessor  this album finds its core in soft ballads.  Smith’s  emotive voice can be a real asset  somewhat flexibly conveying feeling.
The hit “Too Good at Goodbyes” and the second track “Say it First” seem to indicate that  Smith  is setting out to be a male counterpart to Adele.  His  voice is dynamic in the way it bends. While  his  singing is not as boomingly confident as Adele’s   his  voice is able to zig and zag  even as it maneuvers into an occasionally whisper-y falsetto.
In addition to aiming for Adele’s turf   Smith  is going for a classic R&B and gospel vibe. That can be heard on both “One Last Song” and “Midnight Train ” the latter of which sounds like a soulful answer to Radiohead’s “Creep.”
 Smith  gets more righteous on “HIM” and gets softly groovy on “Baby  You Make Me Crazy.” Sometimes  Smith ’s higher register can be a tad grating. However   he  can somehow slightly irritate and entertain simultaneously.  He  duets successfully with up-and-coming singer Yebba on “No Peace ” and hits a sweet spot with the slow-burning “Palace.”
This record feels more lived-in and fully realized than  his  debut. Each of the songs on its own is decent  but you get the feeling once you finish with the closer (and second single) “Pray ” that  Smith  is taking the easy route.  He  should stretch beyond the ballads  as  he 's capable of more. This feels like a sequel to  his  first record almost in a retreading kind of way.
“The Thrill of it All ” while a fitting showcase for  Smith’s  skill  lacks an extra spark. It’s good  but it could be better.
“Too Good at Goodbyes”  Smith ’s songs often seem at first a tad innocuous but on repeat listens they begin to pack power. This one is a real winner.
“Midnight Train” Radiohead comparisons aside  this song has some real momentum  showcasing  Smith  at  his  most vocally butter-soaked. The doo-wop style backing vocals are also a nice touch.
“Baby You Make Me Crazy” This has some potent swagger. This song’s little boost makes you wonder what  Smith  would do if  he  was pushed a notch or two further.
"Sam Smith’s “The Thrill of It All”
** *
[TGT] follows up  [TGT]  2014 debut  “In the Lonely Hour ” with  [TGT]  sophomore effort  “The Thrill of it All.” Much like its predecessor  this album finds its core in soft ballads.  Smith’s  emotive voice can be a real asset  somewhat flexibly conveying feeling.
The hit “Too Good at Goodbyes” and the second track “Say it First” seem to indicate that  [TGT]is setting out to be a male counterpart to Adele.  [TGT]  voice is dynamic in the way it bends. While  [TGT]  singing is not as boomingly confident as Adele’s   [TGT]  voice is able to zig and zag  even as it maneuvers into an occasionally whisper-y falsetto.
In addition to aiming for Adele’s turf   [TGT]is going for a classic R&B and gospel vibe. That can be heard on both “One Last Song” and “Midnight Train ” the latter of which sounds like a soulful answer to Radiohead’s “Creep.”
 [TGT]gets more righteous on “HIM” and gets softly groovy on “Baby  You Make Me Crazy.” Sometimes  Smith ’s higher register can be a tad grating. However   he  can somehow slightly irritate and entertain simultaneously.  He  duets successfully with up-and-coming singer Yebba on “No Peace ” and hits a sweet spot with the slow-burning “Palace.”
This record feels more lived-in and fully realized than  [TGT]  debut. Each of the songs on its own is decent  but you get the feeling once you finish with the closer (and second single) “Pray ” that  [TGT]is taking the easy route.  [TGT]  should stretch beyond the ballads  as  [TGT] 's capable of more. This feels like a sequel to  [TGT]  first record almost in a retreading kind of way.
“The Thrill of it All ” while a fitting showcase for  Smith’s  skill  lacks an extra spark. It’s good  but it could be better.
“Too Good at Goodbyes”  [TGT] ’s songs often seem at first a tad innocuous but on repeat listens they begin to pack power. This one is a real winner.
“Midnight Train” Radiohead comparisons aside  this song has some real momentum  showcasing  [TGT]at  [TGT]  most vocally butter-soaked. The doo-wop style backing vocals are also a nice touch.
“Baby You Make Me Crazy” This has some potent swagger. This song’s little boost makes you wonder what  [TGT] would do if  [TGT]  was pushed a notch or two further."