Sam Foster Smith - 'Hotel Room' Debut Single Review
Sam Foster Smith - Photo: Alex Giles
You know how some Tuesday afternoons can unexpectedly deliver musical gems? There I was, diving through the usual digital avalanche of emails and DMs, when an Instagram message caught my eye. Opening with the tried-and-true "Love what you guys are doing" (flattery will indeed get you everywhere), it led me to reset my Soundcloud password and hit play on 'Hotel Room' - the debut single from South West indie rocker Sam Foster Smith.
Those 3 minutes and 27 seconds turned out to be time well spent. 'Hotel Room' bursts through the speakers like a ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds, opening with a cinematic soundscape before exploding into an expansive guitar riff that could fill arenas. When Smith's vocals cut through with "I believe that I was over it but now I'm alone," you can feel the raw honesty in every word.
"Boardmasters in a bottle - a perfect blend of coastal ease and festival-ready punch"
This is indeed Boardmasters in a bottle - a perfect blend of coastal ease and festival-ready punch that speaks to Smith's roots in Somerset and his evolution in London's music scene. The track manages to thread the needle between introspective storytelling and pure indie rock euphoria, painting dark lyrics with bright sonic colors. It's the kind of song that makes you want to drive fast with the windows down while contemplating life's bigger questions.
Born from the aftermath of depression, 'Hotel Room' transforms personal struggle into collective catharsis. Under the guidance of producer Gareth Nuttall (The Ks, Frank Turner, Lottery Winners), Smith has crafted something special here - a devilishly hooky anthem that wouldn't sound out of place alongside the likes of Sam Fender or The Sherlocks.
The real magic lies in how the track builds and releases tension, with the chorus hitting like a wave breaking against the shore. It's simultaneously intimate and expansive, personal and universal - the kind of debut single that makes you sit up and take notice. For someone who's spent years as a session guitarist gracing stages at Isle of Wight and Ynot Festival, Smith clearly knows how to write a proper crowd-igniter.
"Makes you want to drive fast with the windows down”
'Hotel Room' is more than just another indie rock track - it's a statement of intent from an artist who understands both the power of a killer hook and the importance of genuine emotion. If this is just the beginning, we're in for quite a ride.
Sam Foster Smith's debut single 'Hotel Room' releases on November 22nd. Pre-save link available HERE.
For fans of: Sam Fender, Andrew Cushin, The K's, The Sherlocks, The Royston Club
