Sam Smith is continuing to pave a deeply personal path toward their next musical chapter. On Wednesday, July 22, the 34-year-old Grammy Award-winning vocal powerhouse officially released “Oh Mother,” the powerful second single from their highly anticipated upcoming studio album, Hazel Eyes.
Featuring the rich, dramatic harmonies of The TwoCity Chorus, the new track dives headfirst into the heavy emotional terrain of heartbreak and solace. According to an official press release, the song “channels a fierce longing for maternal comfort in the face of deception,” blending tender vulnerability with an explosive, sanctuary-like soundscape.
Smith lays their soul bare on the soaring chorus, singing:
“Oh, sing for me / What you holding onto? / Sing for m? / Mama’s coming for you / Mother’s coming / Keep your head up, baby / Keep your head,” Sam sings on the chorus. “I will hold you steady / And, oh, it hit me like a wave / I have been betrayed / (Sing for me, girl).”
To achieve such a visceral sonic impact, Smith purposefully enlisted a massive choral force to embody the protective, almost mythic energy driving the song’s story. In an official statement, Smith opened up about the deep intent behind bringing the 28-member choir into the studio:
“The choir is meant to represent the fury of a mother witnessing her child’s betrayal — they’re summoning a sort of divine feminine energy. We also have vocals from my friend Dante, who was a mothering presence to me as a queer person in my 20s. It’s like a gathering of voices offering strength.”
Behind the scenes, Smith co-produced “Oh Mother” alongside longtime creative partners David Odlum and Simon Aldred, who both worked heavily across the entirety of Hazel Eyes. The track also features sweeping, melancholic string arrangements crafted by acclaimed composer Gabe Noel, elevating the single into a theatrical experience.
“Oh Mother” serves as the follow-up to the album’s lead single, “My Guy.” Fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience the full narrative, as Hazel Eyes is set to hit streaming platforms and store shelves on August 21.
