Sam Smith continues the rollout of their highly anticipated fifth studio album Hazel Eyes with the release of the emotionally charged new single “When He’s Gone,” available now via Capitol Records. Arriving just weeks before the album’s August 21 release, the track further reveals the intimate, live-recorded approach that defines Smith’s latest creative chapter.
Built around an understated acoustic groove that gradually swells into a sweeping emotional climax, “When He’s Gone” explores the fear of losing someone whose presence has become inseparable from everyday life. The song pairs stripped-back instrumentation with Smith’s unmistakable vocal performance, creating one of the most vulnerable moments yet from Hazel Eyes. Recorded live without a click track, the performance intentionally preserves the natural tension and emotional weight at the heart of the song.
The new release follows the soulful “Oh Mother,” featuring The TwoCity Chorus, and the romantic lead single “My Guy,” both of which introduced the handcrafted sound and intimate storytelling shaping Hazel Eyes. Rather than relying on polished pop production, the forthcoming album leans into live instrumentation, organic performances, and deeply personal songwriting.
Co-produced by Sam Smith alongside David Odlum and Simon Aldred, Hazel Eyes was recorded over a three-year period at renowned studios including New York City’s Electric Lady Studios. The project also features collaborations with acclaimed musicians Feist, Shahzad Ismaily, Rob Moose, Moses Sumney, and The TwoCity Chorus, blending folk, soul, orchestral arrangements, and contemporary pop into Smith’s most intimate body of work to date.
The album serves as the follow-up to 2023’s Gloria, which featured the global chart-topping hit “Unholy” with Kim Petras. While that record embraced bold pop experimentation, Hazel Eyes shifts toward a warmer, more organic sonic palette centered on live musicianship and emotional honesty. Additional tracks include the previously released “Love Is A Stillness” and “To Be Free,” both showcasing Smith’s powerful vocal range through minimalist arrangements.
Alongside the album release, Smith will continue their intimate To Be Free residency series beginning this month with performances in Guadalajara and Mexico City before heading to the United Kingdom for multiple nights in Manchester and London’s historic Coliseum throughout September.
With “When He’s Gone,” Sam Smith offers another powerful preview of an album that trades spectacle for sincerity, placing timeless songwriting and expressive vocals at the center of one of 2026’s most anticipated releases.
Featured image credit: Collier Schorr
