Sam Smith Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
Sam Smith's voice is a modern marvel. Their ability to convey deep emotion is truly special.
Over the years, they've gifted us a discography rich with feeling and memorable melodies. But which of their albums resonate most strongly with listeners?
Today, we're exploring Sam Smith albums ranked, primarily through the lens of fan sentiment. We'll also glance at how these records stack up in terms of current engagement. Let's dive into what many consider the best Sam Smith albums.
Ranking Sam Smith's albums: The fan favorites
Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.
We're starting with the most beloved.
In The Lonely Hour (2014)
Sam Smith's debut studio album, In The Lonely Hour, arrived in 2014. It immediately captured global attention.
The album features massive hit singles like "Money on My Mind" and "Stay with Me." Both topped the UK charts, with "Stay with Me" becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
While some critics offered lukewarm reviews, many praised Smith's vocal prowess. Commercially, it was a runaway success, topping charts in numerous countries.
In The Lonely Hour earned Smith a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. It cemented their arrival as a major new voice in music.
Key tracks:
- I'm Not The Only One
- Stay With Me
Crowning our fan-ranked list, In The Lonely Hour remains an iconic debut for Sam Smith. Its raw emotion and unforgettable ballads clearly forged a lasting connection.
Many fans point to this album as their entry point to Smith's music. Its themes of unrequited love and vulnerability resonated deeply and continue to do so.
Gloria (2023)
Released in 2023, Gloria is Sam Smith's fourth studio album. It marked a period of increased creative control and a more provocative image.
This pop album explores themes of sex, lies, passion, and self-expression. It received positive reviews from critics.
The lead single "Unholy," a collaboration with Kim Petras, became a global smash hit. It topped charts worldwide and won a Grammy Award.
Gloria debuted at number one in the UK, Australia, and Ireland, showcasing Smith's continued commercial appeal.
Key tracks:
- Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)
- I'm Not Here To Make Friends
Gloria takes a strong second place in the fan rankings. This indicates a significant appreciation for Smith's evolving sound and bolder artistic statements.
The album's fearless exploration of new themes, coupled with its commercial success, suggests fans are embracing this chapter of Smith's journey.
Love Goes (2020)
Love Goes, Sam Smith's third studio album, was released in 2020. It followed The Thrill of It All from 2017.
Originally titled To Die For, the album's release was delayed and renamed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was promoted by singles like "My Oasis" and "Diamonds."
The album achieved top-ten debuts in several countries. It peaked at number two in the UK and number five on the US Billboard 200.
Love Goes was described by Smith as their "first proper heartbreak album," featuring fewer ballads and more pop-oriented tracks.
Key tracks:
- Fire On Fire
- Dancing With A Stranger (with Normani)
Sitting comfortably in the middle of fan preferences, Love Goes showcases Smith's versatility. Its blend of heartache and more uptempo pop tracks clearly appeals to a broad audience.
Fans often highlight the album's danceable elements mixed with Smith's signature emotional depth as a key strength.
The Thrill Of It All (2017)
The Thrill Of It All is the second studio album by Sam Smith. It was released in November 2017.
Smith described this album as a personal diary. They aimed to create something intimate rather than a large pop record.
The lead single, "Too Good at Goodbyes," was a major success. It topped the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 5 in the US.
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Many praised Smith's "supernatural" vocals and the emotional weight of the songs.
The Thrill Of It All debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200.
Key tracks:
- Too Good At Goodbyes
- Pray
Ranked fourth by fans, The Thrill Of It All solidified Sam Smith's reputation for powerful, emotive balladry.
While perhaps not as universally celebrated as their debut by this metric, its heartfelt songwriting and stunning vocal performances maintain a loyal following.
Sam Smith albums: A look at popularity data
While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.
This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.
Below is a ranking of Sam Smith's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.
| Popularity Rank | Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In The Lonely Hour | 2014 |
| 2 | Love Goes | 2020 |
| 3 | The Thrill Of It All | 2017 |
| 4 | Gloria | 2023 |
| 5 | Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2021 |
Quick FAQs about Sam Smith's albums
Q: What was Sam Smith's debut album?
A: Sam Smith's debut studio album is In The Lonely Hour, released in 2014. It featured major hits like "Stay with Me" and "I'm Not the Only One."
Q: How did critics receive In The Lonely Hour?
A: Upon its release, In The Lonely Hour received somewhat mixed reviews. However, many critics praised Smith's exceptional vocal performance, and the album was a significant commercial success, winning a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.
So there you have it – a look at Sam Smith's albums ranked.
We've considered both the passionate insights of fans and current popularity trends. These offer different, yet equally valid, perspectives.
Ultimately, the "best" Sam Smith album often comes down to personal connection. The songs that soundtrack our lives hold a special place.
Each record represents a unique chapter in their artistic journey. What does your personal ranking of Sam Smith's albums look like? Which one holds the top spot for you?