smˈɪθz vˈoʊkəl stˈaɪl hˈæzbiːn kəmpˈɛɹd tə ðæt ʌv pˈoʊstpˈʌŋk sˈɪŋɚz sˈʌtʃ ɐz ˈiːən kˈɜːɾɪs, pˈɔːl bˈæŋks, ɹˈɑːbɚt smˈɪθ, ænd mˈaɪkəl stˈaɪp.
Smith's vocal style has been compared to that of post-punk singers such as Ian Curtis, Paul Banks, Robert Smith, and Michael Stipe.