Tom Smith (Editors Frontman) Announces Debut Solo Record
There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light
Out December 5 via Play It Again Sam
Shares New Single “Life Is For Living”
Editors front-person Tom Smith has announced details of his debut solo album, There Is Nothing In The Dark Which Isn’t There In The Light.
Released on Play It Again Sam on December 5, and having previously released a taster from the album, “Lights Of New York City” in June, Tom has also shared the latest track to be lifted from the long-player, “Life Is For Living”
Talking about the track, Tom said:
“Life is for living, any way you want, life is for living, live it ‘till it’s gone…” Iain [Archer] and I stumbled across this line together, it felt like an empowering thing to say, and it spoke to the dreamlike hopeful nature of the song.
The new single sweeps you into it’s motion immediately, the quick enchanting guitar rhythm and then you are introduced to that harrowing and harmonious vocal that you recognise immediately. It’s a very powerful ensemble and you’d expect nothing less from this vital artist. Tom captivates the audience, the strings emerge and the voyage simply consumes the listener whilst positioning the listener in the centre of this impressionable landscape. The intensive build up of this track and the explosive emotional current that runs through simply brings the intimacy of the lyrics to life- raw and resonating, what a phenomenal ensemble.
After two decades fronting Editors and releasing two albums with Smith & Burrows, Tom Smith is finally stepping into solo territory with There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light. Motivated by a desire to reconnect with the raw, acoustic beginnings of his songwriting, Smith set out to create something more intimate and personal, away from the collaborative nature of his band projects.
Initially, he attempted to shape these songs with long-time collaborator Andy Burrows but ultimately decided to take a more solitary path, enlisting producer Iain Archer instead. Together, they crafted a record built around emotional honesty, acoustic textures, and themes of connection, memory, and resilience. The opening track, “Deep Dive”, became the album’s emotional anchor, setting a tone of gentle hope in the face of loneliness.
Throughout the album, Smith balances stripped-back arrangements with cinematic flourishes, creating a dynamic range—from the minimalist ache of “Broken Time” to the sweeping drama of “Life Is For Living”. Despite his initial goal of solo authorship, Smith found deep creative synergy with Archer, shaping songs through mutual experimentation.
Tracks like “Lights Of New York City” evoke nostalgic longing, while “Northern Line” and “How Many Times” reflect on friendships and past experiences. The album closes with “Saturday”, a bittersweet snapshot of fleeting intimacy. Though marked by melancholy, the record ultimately resonates with hope—highlighting Smith’s evolution as a songwriter and his yearning to create music that reflects the essence of who he is.
1. Deep Dive
2. How Many Times
3. Endings Are Breaking My Heart
4. Life Is For Living
5. Broken Time
6. Lights Of New York City
7. Souls
8. Northern Line
9. Leave
10. Saturday
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