English artist Jorja Smith is expanding her signature R&B sound into club-oriented dance genres on her third album, What Are the Odds, according to the sources. Produced by P2J, the 38-minute record bridges UK garage, Afro-house, jungle, and deep house while retaining the emotional depth of her earlier work, as noted in the sources.
From Pop-R&B Roots to the Dance Floor
Smith initially made her name with thoughtful pop-R&B, including her Mercury Prize-nominated 2018 debut, Lost & Found. However, she previously touched dance genres in 2017 as a guest on Drake’s “Get It Together” with Black Coffee and through a collaboration with Birmingham DJ Preditah on the UK garage track “On My Mind,” according to the sources.
“Little Things” served as a thought experiment that led directly to What Are the Odds, according to the sources. Initially imagined as an EP, the project evolved into a full-length reintroduction produced alongside P2J, whose credits include work for Beyoncé, Stormzy, and Wizkid, according to the sources.
Production and Genre Crossover on What Are the Odds
The album pulls from a wide range of English nightlife and diaspora sounds, incorporating grime on the title track, UK garage on “This City,” Afrobeats on “Alive,” jungle on “The Way It Was,” and deep house on “Make It Your Home,” according to the sources. The sources note that tracks like “This City” pair Smith with UK rapper Devlin over breakbeats, while “Make It Your Home” features frenetic percussion.
Despite the upbeat tempos, the lyrics maintain Smith’s trademark pathos. Songs address heavy themes like losing a friend and watching someone struggle with addiction, according to the sources. The standout track “Dancing” pairs an elastic bassline and a hip-house beat with a narrative about emotional resistance and letting go, according to the sources.
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Bridging R&B and Electronic Music
Smith’s collaboration with producer P2J extends a broader 2020s cultural exchange across the UK’s Black diaspora, connecting sounds from West Africa, Jamaica, and England, according to the sources. Tracks like “I Lied, You Lied” marry the piano ballads of Smith’s past with current club joints, creating a jazzy breakup song that mirrors the thematic tug-of-war in her catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jorja Smith’s third album?
Jorja Smith’s third studio album is titled What Are the Odds, following her debut Lost & Found and second album falling or flying.
Who produced What Are the Odds?
The album is produced by P2J, who previously worked on Smith’s single “Little Things” and has collaborated with artists like Beyoncé, Wizkid, and Stormzy, according to the sources.
What musical genres are featured on the new album?
According to the sources, the album blends UK garage, Afro-house, jungle, deep house, grime, and R&B elements.
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