TOM A. SMITH UNLEASHES DEFIANT NEW SINGLE “I DON’T BLAME YOU”

Tom A. Smith is back with his new single, “I Don’t Blame You,” and the English singer-songwriter once again treads familiar thematic ground, revisiting his earlier track, “Fashion” (reviewed here at GSM). Confident and defiant as ever, Smith proclaims himself as the one to watch — part savior, part showman — strutting onto the dance floor as though it were his throne.

What sets “I Don’t Blame You” apart from “Fashion” is its sound and delivery. The production feels more compressed, a little less punchy at first, but it eventually kicks in with bursts of traditional rock ’n’ roll grit that keep the track moving. Smith’s vocals, too, are more restrained this time around — dry, droll, and self-effacing in the verses — until the chorus hits. That’s where he cuts loose, snarling with piss-and-vinegar aplomb, the kind of raw energy quickly becoming his trademark.

Yes, you could argue he’s leaning into a formula. But it’s a formula that works. “I Don’t Blame You” is a fun, wild ride through Smith’s world — brash, unapologetic, and addictive enough that we’re all too happy to come along for the trip.