Track Review: Sam Smith, "Love Me More"

Sam Smith has returned with the lead single for their upcoming fourth studio album. "Love Me More" introduces the record that will serve as the follow-up to 2020's Love Goes. For the new track, Sam reunites with frequent collaborators Stargate ("To Die For") and Jimmy Napes ("Stay with Me") to craft a fervid ode to self-love.

"Love Me More" begins in Sam's beloved balladeering comfort zone before transforming into a boom-bap-influenced mid-tempo groove. "Have you ever felt like being somebody else? / Feeling like the mirror isn't good for your health," they croon over melancholic drums, keyboard, and guitar. Musically, there isn't anything not to love about "Love Me More." As expected, Sam delivers an impeccable vocal performance wrought with emotion ranging from pain to freedom. From a thematic and lyrical standpoint, however, "Love Me More" does little to innovate the dreadfully overdone self-love brand of pop songs. The song falls flat in this regard, and the vocal and instrumental arrangements are not enrapturing enough to distract from that shortcoming. On the other hand, the song's outro is a spectacular moment of construction; different voices add new textures to Sam's Brandy-esque vocal layering as they build toward a wall of voices to close out the song. Nevertheless, even that instance is unfulfilling. "Love Me More" ends entirely too soon, but it's another solid offering from a remarkably consistent artist.

Score: 65