Rising North East star Tom A. Smith has officially opened the doors to “Tommy’s Dance Place”, and honestly, you’re going to want an invite.
Out now via Fiction Records, his highly anticipated new EP ‘Put On A Record Tommy’ marks a bold, confident new chapter for the 22-year-old. The electrifying title track and centrepiece, ‘Put On A Record Tommy’, frames itself around the fragile line between escapism and identity. It introduces us to a sonic world that feels just as euphoric as it does uncertain. As Tom puts it: “‘Put on a record Tommy’ is a party and everyone is invited. But it’s not all it seems. Where do I go from here?”
This single shows just how much Tom has grown into his own, refining a sound he’s been grafting on for the better part of five years. It’s a grand, funky, almost bluesy rock track that channels the vibrant disco-indie vibes of Pulp, packing the kind of massive energy usually reserved for main-stage heavyweights.
That growth isn’t just happening in the studio, either. His relentless touring schedule, including a packed UK headline run and a trip to SXSW, has transformed him into a fiercely confident performer who has mastered his stagecraft. He’s no longer just searching for his lane; he’s found the sound closest to his heart and is running with it. The track itself is an absolute earworm. Bursting with a bright, colourful palette, driving rhythms, and a super-catchy chorus, it’s an incredibly vibey addition to your playlist.
The rest of the six-track EP beautifully balances that confidence with vulnerability. From the indie energy of opening track ‘SFX’, to the heartfelt immediacy of ‘Our Song’ and ‘The Only One’, Tom delivers emotional candour without losing an ounce of forward momentum.
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