This comes from my view of writing: anyone can spend thousands of words spinning a sprawling yarn in order to create one singular effect, but anyone who’s capable of using less words to achieve the same effect must be the better writer because they’re the ones who can use the tools of their trade more effectively and efficiently (thus implying a greater understanding of their craft and the greater ability to put that understanding in action). The same goes for singers: a singer who can communicate a emotion in three notes is better to me than the singer who needs ten notes.

My problem with Sam Smith is that, at heart, I’m a minimalist.

I then concluded this by saying that “Sam Smith makes singing with emotion seem like such hard work Ellie Goulding makes it look effortless.” Harsh words. In particular, I’ve talked about how he isn’t as good as Ellie Goulding. “Sam Smith,” I argued, “warbles over his songs like he’s broken a leg during recording, only serving to distract the listener from the song at hand (something which can be fatal for songs like Like I Can which rely on you having an emotional connection to them)”. This year, I’ve challenged myself to write a review of every song that manages to get to No.

Lay me down sam smith quotes