How Myles Smith Transformed Five Years of Therapy Notes Into His Debut Album

British singer-songwriter Myles Smith has revealed how five years of personal therapy notes helped shape his debut album, My Mess, My Heart, My Life, a deeply reflective project that explores mental health, family, personal growth and resilience.

Just days before the album's planned release, Smith announced that he was delaying the project by a week. In a candid message to fans, he explained that years of relentless touring and constant travel had left him close to burnout, and he wanted to fully appreciate the milestone he had worked so hard to achieve.

That honesty mirrors the themes found throughout the album. Drawing inspiration from years of therapy sessions and self-reflection, Smith revisits pivotal moments from his life, examining struggles, recovery and the experiences that shaped him long before his rise to fame.

At 28, the Luton-born artist has become one of the United Kingdom's fastest-rising music stars. His breakthrough hit, Stargazing, became the best-selling British song of 2024, while earning him widespread recognition for his emotionally open songwriting style. Since then, Smith has won major industry accolades, including the prestigious Brit Award for Rising Star, and has amassed billions of streams worldwide.

Despite his success, Smith says the album was never about celebrating achievements. Instead, it became a personal journey of understanding the emotions, memories and challenges that have defined his life.

One of the album's most vulnerable tracks is Sertraline, named after the commonly prescribed antidepressant medication. The song addresses mental health, emotional vulnerability and the pressures often associated with masculinity.

Smith believes it is important to be open about these experiences, particularly as a Black British artist. He hopes that discussing mental health through music can encourage broader conversations and help others feel comfortable expressing their own emotions.

Growing up, Smith found inspiration in artists such as Labrinth, whose emotional honesty showed him that vulnerability could be a strength rather than a weakness. However, Smith is careful not to portray himself as an exception. Instead, he sees his success as part of a larger story about diverse talent and opportunities within British music.

The album also explores family and personal memories. On Grandma's Place, Smith reflects on childhood experiences, family bonds and loss. He admits the song was so personal that he initially considered keeping it private before ultimately deciding it belonged on the album.

The project was created over three years while Smith traveled between studios, hotels, dressing rooms and tour buses. Throughout the process, he relied on a close group of trusted collaborators, including producer Peter Fenn and songwriter Gabe Simon, who helped bring some of the album's most intimate stories to life.