Sam Smith Says They’ve Always Been ‘Freaked Out’ Listening to Their Singing Voice: ‘I’m Very Hard on Myself’

Sam Smith, the award-winning British singer, has recently shared their ongoing struggle with vocal dysphoria, a condition that has impacted their singing since their teenage years. In a candid conversation with The New Yorker Radio Hour, the 34-year-old artist discussed the challenges they face when reconciling their internal perception of their voice with the way it sounds to others.

“It’s a bizarre feeling,” Smith remarked. “I don’t feel the same way people feel when they hear my voice. When I listen back to myself, I can be quite critical and very hard on myself as a performer.” This inner conflict often leaves Smith confused, especially following live performances when audience members praise their singing while they themselves feel unsatisfied with their performance.

Smith’s journey with vocal dysphoria began at the tender age of 13, when they recorded a rendition of “When You Believe,” a well-known duet by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. The experience proved to be emotionally overwhelming, with Smith recalling, “I burst into tears because I thought it was the worst thing ever. In my head, I sounded so much better.” This marked the beginning of years spent grappling with discomfort surrounding their vocal abilities as Smith endeavoured to embrace the quality of their voice.

As time has passed, Smith has noted significant transformations in their vocal range. With an upcoming album entitled *Hazel Eyes*, set for release on 21 August, the artist expressed excitement about the evolving nature of their voice. “I can sing lower than I ever have before,” they stated, adding that their voice now carries a fuller sound. However, Smith acknowledged that extensive touring and performing has taken its toll on their vocal instrument, noting, “The workload and travel have sacrificed some notes in my register.”

With nearly 1,000 live performances under their belt, Smith is learning to appreciate the variations in their voice from song to song. “I hope fans will enjoy exploring the different sounds we’re working with on the new record,” they said.

*Hazel Eyes* is set to follow Smith’s 2023 release, *Gloria*, which featured the hit track “Unholy” in collaboration with Kim Petras. Smith described the new album as deeply personal and “incredibly romantic,” having spent the last three years developing its tracks.

Recently, Smith confirmed their engagement to fashion designer Christian Cowan, who has also inspired some of their music. In an interview with The New York Times, they revealed that the song “My Guy” takes significant inspiration from Cowan. “Christian loves hyperpop and really heavy metal pop, but he finds beauty in this song and adores it,” Smith explained. “He’s been wonderfully supportive throughout the process of creating this album.”

As Smith prepares to share their latest work with the world, they remain focused on personal growth and artistic exploration. Their willingness to discuss the challenges surrounding vocal dysphoria is not only a testament to their vulnerability as an artist but also an example of the struggles many performers face.

With *Hazel Eyes* on the horizon, fans eagerly await the opportunity to hear how Smith’s experiences, both personal and professional, have shaped their latest musical venture.