When Sam Smith announced this album in October, they described it as “an emotional, sexual and spiritual liberation” – quite an audacious strapline. “Oddly, it feels like my first-ever record,” added the Oscar and Grammy-winning singer. “And it feels like a coming of age.” Of course, no pop star sells their latest album by calling it “more of the same”, but Smith hasn’t oversold this one. ‘Gloria’ really is the most surprising, satisfying and vital work of their career.
Smith broke into the mainstream with lovelorn…
