Sam Smith won the 2015 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for In the Lonely Hour.
The album was Smith’s debut studio release and included the worldwide hits “Stay with Me,” “I’m Not the Only One,” and “Lay Me Down.” Its restrained soul-pop sound and emotionally direct songwriting helped make Smith one of the defining new voices of 2014.
At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, In the Lonely Hour competed against albums by Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, and Ed Sheeran. Smith also won four awards that night, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Stay with Me.”
A common mix-up is confusing this category with Album of the Year. Smith’s album was nominated there too, but Beck’s Morning Phase won that award. Best Pop Vocal Album specifically recognized the strongest eligible pop vocal album.