Capitol Records (label)
16 February 2014 (released)
26 January 2014
If you are not familiar with Sam Smith by now, you certainly will be by the summer. Smith was the voice on Naughty Boy's La La La and Disclosure's Latch last year, but 2014 is set to be HIS year. That's certainly the thinking of the Brits' organisers - who have given him the Critics' Choice gong. That will add more momentum to that already gained - and Money On My Mind is the song to launch his career-proper.
It is one of those rare songs that the verse is better than the chorus, with Smith's voice allowed to display its quality before a slightly irritating refrain. "I do it for the love" he implores, and that's a noble sentiment - and with his profile set to rocket over the next few months, let's hope he still thinks the same come 2015. Money On My Mind is described as neo-soul, and it is certainly the sound of 2014.
Whether the album In The Lonely Hour, that's released in May, can keep up this quality is the big question. If it can, then it could head in the same way as Emile Sande or Adele's recent albums. Then he will definitely have money on his mind.
