My Mess, My Heart, My Life - Myles Smith - Album Review - By The Fans Magazine

Words & Review: Grace Wearn

Photography Credit to owner.

Few albums feel as intimately vulnerable as stepping into a sublimely illustrated story, or unfolding torn pages from a personal journal - but My Mess, My Heart, My Life does exactly that.

Unless you’ve been absent from social media for the past few years, you’ll know that Myles’ breakthrough hit, “Stargazing” soared upwards in the charts specifically from strategy and traction within; TikTok. Since this, each release from Myles Smith has only reinforced the traction that his breakthrough single has received; with incredible talent, humbleness, inspirational vulnerability and the authenticity of being himself.

Myles’ has citied artists such as; Ed Sheeran, Labrinth and Coldplay as songwriting influences, and their impact is undoubtedly woven in this album. Born in 1998, the same year as me, I found that connection resonated with me on a personal level. Throughout my teenage years, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Labrinth — particularly his collaborations with Tinie Tempah — were continual fixtures, whether as downloaded tracks on my iPod, flooding of my YouTube search history, or dominating the charts. Their music, also, cemented and moulded the way I grew up through my teens and into adulthood.

Music has always been, and will always be, an escape for me; and given the delicate vulnerability and personal themes explored throughout this album, I can only imagine that it has served a similar purpose for Myles. That shared understanding of music, as both refuge but also a beautiful, vulnerable expression enhances the authenticity of My Mess, My Heart, My Life.

Without delay, we’ll get into the album review -

Firstly there is “My Mess”, a track interwoven with interlacing harmonies along the themes of family dynamics and almost certainly complications that come with it.

To me, this feels as though it is the start of the album’s story.

Myles’ songwriting has a sweet tenderness that feels safe and reassuring, resonating very much with the feeling of home. “I was raised to just do as I’m told” - is a set of lyrics that I relate too heavily, especially navigating family dynamics and growing into adulthood. As impactful, “I hate the way I’m still like this” - which speaks to me directly to the vulnerability and fear that can almost certainly of creating a beautiful life for yourself outside of the family home that may’ve been toxic.

“Hold Me In The Dark” to me, seems like a nod at hope within darkness. The delicate feeling that a person can feel like home, regardless of the demons you’re personally battling in your head. I absolutely adore the pairing of the heartfelt, raw lyrics paired with the acoustic guitars - it’s just beautiful; “I know you can fix my soul, so take me home”.

“Hate You”, resonates with me as an exploration of falling in love but almost being overwhelmed with the intensity of the feeling , despite mental health battles. The lyrics; “Please leave, don’t go” feel as though an international reflection on how many people feel when fighting their internal battles. The next song “Grandma’s Place” actually brought tears to my eyes upon first listen, it hit home and it hit hard. I almost resonate with the “cover my ears when my dad would shout horrible things”; in complicated family dynamics, sometimes ‘Grandma’s Place’ becomes that safe place, a sanctuary and a refuge away from home.

“Mary’s Song” carries elements of similarities to Ed Sheeran’s + album, one of Ed’s earliest releases - particularly the tracks ‘Little Bird’ and “The A Team’. From what I understand, Myles wrote this song for 2 of his female friends who are also domestic abuse survivors. The song highlights how the painful reality within how perpetrators often fail to actually take accountability.

“Sertraline (Where Am I Now)” is a personal favourite from the album, it has beautiful vocals and an even deeper emotive message. Throughout the whole song I found myself becoming increasingly more emotional, each lyric hit home. It could be interpreted as, perhaps, a nod to the lifesaver that antidepressants can be, or perhaps even a nod to the exploration of discovery of the life you can have without them. ‘Where Am I Now?’ is repeated throughout, signifying reflection on previous achievements despite facing continuous doubts that the internal demons had placed internally that those achievements were impossible. could also be interpreted as that he’s done all of these incredible things that perhaps his internal demons told him he could not do. “I know theirs a light buried in me” is such an emotive lyric, surrounded with hope.

“Drive Safe feat Niall Horan” , is another standout favourite. Admittedly, having grown up listening religiously to One Direction, this collaboration naturally resonated more-so with me. however this song, is the song of the summer for me. The lyrics “Tears gonna fall and hell just might break lose” represents owning strength and vulnerability. The entire track feels like the comfort of a warm embrace. It could also serve as a metaphor for freedom: driving towards the unknown while feeling secure enough within yourself to follow your heart. “Follow your heart wherever it takes you” is undoubtedly my favourite lyric from the album as a whole.

“Heaven”, a beautiful love song centred around the statement of ‘Heaven is You’. Being in love is beautiful and this song very much captures that feeling, in its full. The lyrics “All we have is magic like fireflies starting to glow” possesses that charm; something so beautiful blossoming; perhaps like fireflies’ glow.

The next two tracks - “Dying Day” and “Lifetime” explore similar themes of romantic love; but also perhaps platonic love. “I’d rather double up on coffee than miss a single minute of being in your arms” could also be a lyrical nod either being in love romantically or platonically or simply a theme to grief and loss. “I can only love you for a lifetime” is such a delicate reference to the fact; life is too short.

“Dublin Lights” another one of my favourites, drawing inspiration from, what I can imagine, the magic of Irish Folk music. It very much reminds me of two tracks from Ed Sheeran’s 2017 Divide album.. Nancy Mulligan & Galway Girl. Fun, upbeat and a song you can absolutely dance too.

“Stargazing”, the song that started it all. An incredible balance of both lyrical genius’ yet again but also magic in the instruments used within the song. I recently watched his performance of this at Summertime Ball on the TV and it was a definite “I made it” moment from Myles, watching 80,000 people sing the lyrics back to him and they sung SO passionately and SO loud. “Time stood still like a photograph” is such a stunning representation of lyrics, and the realisation that the people you love and chose to be in your circle - have always fought your corner and been there for you.

“Nice To Meet You”, and a direct quote from Myles ‘A reminder that the right person can change everything, often when you least expect’. With drawing similar influential themes from incredible bands such as Mumford and Sons and Coldplay.

“Stay (If You Want To Dance), an upbeat track that unofficially states ‘live in the moment and feel alive’. “If you wanna dance, take my hand take my hand” - could also nod to themes of internally fighting demons for both hope and happiness.

The final track; “Gold” represents that almost electrifying feeling being in love. Ending the album on a euphoric and hope combination of notes; just makes sense. ‘I feel like gold’ very much embodies the albums overarching themes of healing, resilience and joy.

This album is humble, delicate and vulnerable; this isn’t just 28 year old Myles from Luton, this is

Myles Smith.

My Mess, My Heart, My Life is out on the 19th of June.