Sam Smith has revealed they love living in New York because they can feel more anonymous than in London, but they desperately miss one thing about the UK: proper fish and chips. The 43-year-old singer, who has been based in New York for two years, discussed their new album 'Hazel Eyes' and their relationship with designer Christian Cowan on the new Dish podcast.
Anonymity in New York
Asked if they can live anonymously in the city, Sam replied: “I think you can. I do. I always feel like I’m left alone, and then if anyone comes up to me, they’re normally very complimentary, which is fabulous for my ego, instead of like, ‘Who the f*** is that?’ But it’s good.” They added: “It’s the only city in the world if I wear a miniskirt, I get wolf whistled. I had a guy like bang my ass once and be like, ‘Fancy a kiss?’”
New Album 'Hazel Eyes'
Sam’s new album 'Hazel Eyes' is set for release on August 21 via Capitol Records UK, following their 2023 LP 'Gloria.' The first single 'My Guy' has already dropped. The album is inspired by their move to New York to be with Christian Cowan. Sam explained: “I moved to New York to be with my partner. So that, the album kind of soundtracked the move from England to America. So, you can kind of hear that in some of the music. The first song on the album I wrote about the night before meeting my partner, and then it takes you through the first 2 years of meeting someone that you’re with for a long time. It’s a very romantic album, and very, just kind of proud in the romance. You know, I like flowery beautiful things, so I’ve leaned into that and I’m just very proud of it. I love it.”
Longing for Proper Fish and Chips
Although Sam returns to England regularly to see friends and family, they confessed that missing proper fish and chips is “one of the disasters of my life right now. It’s like I actually get sad sometimes. Apparently, it’s something to do with the potato, I got told, and the water in New York and you can’t get it the same.” They elaborated: “I have a thing with fish and chips, right? So, I love fish and chips from fish and chip shops where the chips like stick together. And you’ve got like the silver hot plate when you walk in. But I feel like the gastropub fish and chips, um, like I call them posh fish and chips, I don’t see that as fish and chips. And like even in London, I find it hard to find like proper fish and chips. Like my family from Whitley Bay, my favourite fish and chip shop is called Marshall’s there which is amazing. But yeah, I just. When people talk about fish and chips, they’re not talking about the same fish and chips I am.”
The Dish from Waitrose podcast is available on all podcast providers.
