Sam Smith - Nirvana

This time last year, Sam Smith was relatively unknown. In the past 12 months, however, Smith has quickly risen at a speed that can only be the result of hard work and huge talent. He first began to gain mainstream exposure working for other artists – featuring on Disclosure’s breakthrough single, Latch, and Naughty Boy’s influential chart topper, Lalala. During this busy period of new found success he also released his solo effort, Lay Me Down.

Fast forward to summer 2013 and Smith is about to return with his brand new EP. One of the spine-tingling tracks to be taken from the EP is Nirvana - a truly luxurious affair, flaunting a candid and natural vocal tone, insulated by a seductive low-key production. The song proves particularly pleasing for those who fancy themselves to have a more refined musical palate, as it tickles your taste buds with a variety of sultry soft sounds. It offers a tantalising selection, modestly conjuring up a broad scope of lush swoons, precise and controlled verses, arousing choruses and, of course, his trademark light falsettos.

The production, put together by Craze & Hoax, Jimmy Napes and Jonathan Creek, is equally satisfying. It adopts a diverse assortment of instruments but uses them sparingly – allowing the song to keep that raw almost acoustic presence. Every element has been included for a specific function, like the sweeping violins and the slow drumbeat, which are used to help nurture the overall earnest emotion of the song.

Nirvana has such a private and deeply immersive air that you almost feel like you’re live in the studio, watching, as the deep thrum of vocal and production come together as one, in a master class of musical creation.

RSReviewsUK