The Sam Smith of 2023 has come a long way from the Sam Smith who sang on Disclosure’s 2012 hit “Latch,” then parlayed that success into 2014’s Grammy-winning neo-soul triumph In The Lonely Hour. The Sam Smith of yesteryear was a balladeer, a brokenhearted sentimentalist praying for salvation by way of romantic love. Three albums later, that Smith is still here, but they’ve shed a few layers and come bursting out on the other side, liberated and dancing, relishing in their freedom, sexuality, personhood, and maximalist artistry. The Smith who made Gloria, out today, is confident, inspired, and excited for the future.