Last month, Sam Smith made his return to music after a nearly two-year hiatus with the gospel-tinged “Too Good at Goodbyes.” Now, the singer has shared the official announcement of his sophomore album, coupled with its second single.
The singer took to Instagram to reveal the title, artwork, tracklist, and release date of the forthcoming LP.
The 10-track effort, named The Thrill of It All, features one guest, Yebba. The name may sound unfamiliar, but we’ve all been introduced to her: the Arkansas singer backed Chance the Rapper during his performance of “Same Drugs” on Saturday Night Live last year, stealing the show the final 90 seconds in a must-see closer.
Smith—who appears on the album’s cover in a stark, black-and-white, close-up image—wrote of the project:
“My beautiful fans, I am so so excited to finally share this news… My second album ‘The Thrill Of It All’ is yours November 3rd!!…We are one step closer to the birth of my second musical child. Holding the ‘The Thrill Of It All’ vinyl in my hand is the moment this all becomes real & scary.”
Smith also shared the Timbaland-produced second single, album closer “Pray.” First driven by a piano and percussive taps, strings and choir cries punctuate the latter half. It’s an R&B and gospel-blended power ballad that, despite being emotional and dramatic, still feels like previously uncharted territory for the singer.
Per its title, the lyrics detail a recognized and much-needed turn to worship. He sings:
“I’m young and I’m foolish, I’ve made bad decisions / I block out the news, turn my back on religion / Don’t have no degree, I’m somewhat naive / I’ve made it this far on my own / But lately, that shit ain’t been gettin’ me higher / I lift up my head and the world is on fire / There’s dread in my heart and fear in my bones / And I just don’t know what to say / Maybe I’ll pray.”
About the anthemic track, Smith wrote:
“I hope you love ‘Pray’ as much as I do, I hope it becomes your friend in those deep dark nights of confusion & loneliness. Love you all so fucking much xoxo.”
A ‘Special Edition’ of the album will include four extra tracks: “Nothing Left For You,” “The Thrill of It All,” “Scars,” and “One Day At a Time,” while the Target Exclusive will add those, plus two more bonus songs: “Leader of the Pack” and “Blind Eye.”
Smith also announced a supporting tour that shares the title of the LP. The 39-stop, three-month trek will visit North America and Canada next year. It begins in Toronto in June and closes in Calgary in September.
The Thrill of it All 2018 tour dates:
June 18 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
June 19 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
June 22 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
June 23 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
June 26 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
June 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
June 29 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
July 3 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
July 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
July 6 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
July 7 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
July 10 – Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Center
July 11 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
July 13 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
July 14 – Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
July 17 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
July 18 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
July 20 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
July 21 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
July 25 – Monterrey, MX @ Arena Monterrey
July 27 – Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
August 14 – Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
August 15 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
August 17 – St. Louis, MO @ Chaifetz Arena
August 18 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
August 21 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
August 22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
August 24 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
August 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ STAPLES Center
August 29 – Los Angeles, CA @ STAPLES Center
August 31 – Glendale, AZ @ Gila River Arena
Sept. 1 – San Diego, CA @ Valley View Casino Center
Sept. 4 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
Sept. 5 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
Sept. 7 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
Sept. 8 – Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
Sept. 10 – Vancouver, BC @ Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Sept. 12 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
Sept. 13 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome