Luton singer-songwriter Myles Smith has released a powerful new short film dedicated to children and staff at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital while also announcing that his debut album is in early contention to go straight to Number One.
The former Lealands High School student saw his much-anticipated LP ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ released into the world on Friday to widespread acclaim. The record is currently leading the race for this week’s UK number one album in the early chart rankings, with the big result due on Friday.
Then, last night, Smith unveiled on social media a short film named after the track ‘Hold Me In The Dark’, describing it as a project created to help people feel seen, encourage difficult conversations and remind others they are not alone.
The short film, written and directed by the Lutonian, was created alongside acclaimed actor Stephen Graham, with Smith explaining that the pair bonded over a shared belief in the power of storytelling.
Announcing the film’s release, he wrote: “When Stephen and I started talking about this film, we kept coming back to the same idea: art probably doesn’t change the whole world. But maybe it can make small dents in it.
“Maybe it can make someone feel seen. Maybe it can encourage a difficult conversation. Maybe it can remind someone that they’re not carrying something alone. If this film does even one of those things for one person, then it has done its job.”
The singer said the film had been dedicated to the staff, patients and families connected to the paediatric oncology ward at Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
“As this film goes out into the world, we’d like to dedicate it to the incredible staff and patients of the paediatric oncology ward at Luton & Dunstable Hospital,” he wrote on social media.
“To the NHS staff whose care, compassion and humanity hold families together during unimaginable moments, and to the children and parents whose unwavering bravery and formidable strength left a lasting mark on us both – thank you.”
Graham is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most versatile and respected actors, known for bringing intensity, authenticity and emotional depth to every role he plays. Rising to prominence as Tommy in Guy Ritchie’s crime classic ‘Snatch’ and as the volatile Combo in ‘This Is England’, Graham has built an acclaimed career spanning both film and television.
The Liverpudlian’s notable screen credits include ‘Gangs of New York’, ‘Public Enemies’, ‘The Irishman’ and ‘Boiling Point’, while television audiences know him for standout performances in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ as Al Capone, ‘Line of Duty’, ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Band of Brothers’. More recently, he further cemented his reputation as one of the UK’s finest character actors when he earned widespread praise for co-creating and starring in the Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’, written by adopted Lutonian Jack Thorne.
After his directorial debut, Smith said that working with Graham had been a special experience.
“I met Stephen a while back and we instantly got on. He’s one of my favourite actors of all time, so getting the chance to create something together has been pretty surreal.
“From the very beginning, what connected us was a shared belief in the power of storytelling. Stephen through film, me through music. We both care deeply about telling honest stories that make people feel seen, raise awareness of important issues, and start conversations that matter.
“Hold Me In The Dark is one of those stories.”
The release continues Smith’s close ties with his hometown, having last week returned for a day-long takeover of Luton to celebrate the launch of ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’.
Thousands of fans turned out for events across the town, including a packed performance in St George’s Square, while parts of Luton were temporarily renamed in his honour.
Now the album itself could be heading for another milestone.
In a separate social media post yesterday, Smith revealed that ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ is currently number one in the UK’s official chart update.
“I don’t really know how to write this without sounding ridiculous, but… thank you,” he wrote.
“Right now, ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ is the Number 1 album in the UK on the update.”
The singer acknowledged that the chart position is only provisional, with the final rankings due later in the week.
“I know it’s only Monday and I know how these weeks usually go. But for a moment, we get to say this happened (even if it’s for a couple days).”
Reflecting on what the achievement means to him, Smith said the position represented the loyalty of fans who have supported him throughout his journey from posting covers online to becoming one of Britain’s biggest new music stars.
“Because when I look at that chart position, I don’t see a number. I see people who’ve been here since the early covers, people who came to tiny rooms, people who’ve shared these songs with someone they love. This only happened because you cared.”
He also encouraged fans to buy physical copies of the album, saying the artwork, photographs, lyrics and notes included with the release were an important part of the project.
The album’s chart challenge marks the latest chapter in a remarkable rise for the Luton musician, who has amassed almost five billion streams worldwide, won the BRIT Rising Star Award, collected an Ivor Novello Award and sold out London’s O2 Arena before releasing his debut album.
Whether ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ remains at the summit by the end of the week remains to be seen, but Smith’s latest posts show that even as his career continues to reach new heights, he remains determined to use his platform to tell stories that matter and to shine a spotlight on the Luton people and places closest to his heart.
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