Arts & Entertainment
Sam Smith shares new video as release date announced for album
It’s been three years since Sam Smith’s last album, but they are back – with a Valentine’s Day surprise for their fans.
On Thursday, it was announced that Capitol Records will release Smith’s third album, “To Die For,” on May 1. To mark the occasion, the non-binary singer shared the title track, along with its accompanying video.
The new track opens with a sample from the 2001 cult film “Donnie Darko,” before enveloping listeners with the sounds of soaring strings and evocative piano, as Smith lends his distinctive vocals to the plaintive confession, “I just want somebody to die for.”Smithrecorded the song with Jimmy Napes and Stargate, also their collaborators on 2017’s 4x certified Platinum single, “Too Good At Goodbyes.”
For the official video, Smith recruited behind-the-camera help from Grant Singer (The Weeknd, Lorde), who also directed the video for 2019’s “How Do You Sleep?” The clip is set outside a Los Angeles wig shop, where amongst the many mannequin heads with perfectly coifed hair is a wigless one with Smith’s face. As the likeness sings “To Die For,” happy couples and families pass the shop over the course of several seasons, with most never even noticing the bald singing mannequin – until at last, left all alone, a twist of fate comes to break him free.
Smith explains the melancholy tune, “I wrote the song with Jimmy Napes and Stargate in L.A. during a time of self-discovery and heartbreak. This is for all the lonely hearts out there on another Valentine’s Day xx”
The album is now available for preorder at Smith’s website. Fans who pre-order it there in digital format will instantly receive the new single, as well as “How Do You Sleep?”, which has amassed over 600 million streams worldwide, “I Feel Love,” Smith’s celebratory cover of Donna Summer’s disco classic, “Fire on Fire” (from the “Watership Down” soundtrack) and Smith’scollaboration with Normani, “Dancing with a Stranger,” a number one UK and US hit which has achieved Platinum status in 19 countries, and been streamed over 2 billion times worldwide.
You can watch the video for “To Die For” below.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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