Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour (Capitol)
Two stars ⋆⋆
After rising to prominence as the soulful guest voice powering hits from Disclosure and Naughty Boy, Sam Smith's plaintive brand of modern R&B-flecked singing and songwriting is very much of the moment. Indeed, two singles from the 22-year-old Londoner's self-proclaimed "sad" debut album have already topped his native charts: Money on my Mind and Stay with Me. The love-over-dosh sentiment behind the former seems less genuine, however, once you learn that his mother had a lucrative career as a London City banker. The latter hits home truer, with a gospel-tastic chorus and sweeping strings. Yet, elsewhere, only the uplifting, piano-led slink of I'm Not the Only One really stands out among hackneyed lyrical content on love and longing; his high-pitched vocal extremes and fairly basic grasp of rhyming couplets both soon begin to rankle, too. And while In the Lonely Hour's superficially emotional content should see it soundtracking several dozen montages of World Cup losers and the like this summer, that hints at the crux of our concerns: Smith feels like a voice for the moment, rather than one for the ages.
aworkman@thenational.ae
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.