The Lonely Hour: A Soulful Masterpiece by Sam Smith
Released on May 26, 2014, In the Lonely Hour (Deluxe Edition) by Sam Smith is the definitive version of a debut that redefined modern soul and pop. While the standard release introduced Smith's world-class falsetto, the Deluxe Edition adds essential context with five additional tracks, including the haunting acoustic version of "Latch" and the chart-topping "La La La".
| Format | Quality Level | Deluxe Bonus Tracks? | Recommended For | |--------|---------------|----------------------|------------------| | Standard CD (Rip to FLAC) | 16-bit/44.1kHz (Excellent) | Yes | Archiving, car playback | | Qobuz / Tidal HiRes | 24-bit/96kHz (Superb) | Yes | Critical listening | | Spotify / YouTube | 128-320kbps lossy | Varies (often missing) | Background listening only | The Lonely Hour: A Soulful Masterpiece by Sam
Restart: An upbeat, disco-infused bonus track that "dials up the notch" from the record's beginning.
Title: The Blue Hour
Notable praise:
High-Resolution Digital: For the best digital experience, look for 24-bit FLAC versions on high-res stores. Standard streaming versions on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music typically offer AAC at 256–320 kbps. Deluxe Edition Tracklist (2014) Deluxe Edition Tracklist (2014) The deluxe version expands
The deluxe version expands the unrequited love theme with additional collaborations and acoustic versions: Bonus Tracks "Latch (Acoustic)"