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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
Jorja Smith’s Falling or Flying is quite an accomplishment and an excellent vehicle for her estimable talents. It’s a low-key yet unequivocal triumph.
1mo
90
A record unafraid to run off in different directions.
2mo
80
Smith continues to shirk commercial viability, stripping away sheen and artifice, presenting herself as dimensional; flawed, bruised, exposed, at times disbelieving, but ultimately worthy of love.
2mo
80
Falling or Flying flies high when honest and musically deep and, at times, loose and fancy-free. The songs with these qualities are the most unique and demonstrate that Jorja Smith deserves to stand tall amongst the many A-listers she has collaborated with.
2mo
80
This marks a real step up for the much-hyped artist, who has consistantly pushed back against industry expectations.
2mo
80
Jorja Smith's long-awaited second album is a sonic adventure that never stops surprising.
2mo
80
It would be very easy for an artist as gifted as Jorja to coast along on some nice songs that highlight her captivating voice, but instead, she’s made a record that both challenges and enthrals in equal measure. Combining lively club stormers and lush R&B along with a dash of genuine indie rock rowdiness, it’s a compelling mix.
2mo
80
On her second album – featuring dancefloor heater 'Little Things' – the Walsall-raised star finds her rhythm with an expanded sonic palette.
2mo
80
Compared to the debut, the songs are a little tighter in structure, communicate more, and bounce from style to style -- whereas Lost & Found presented an evolved, commercially minded brand of street soul -- with introspective R&B always somewhere in the mix.
2mo
80
British soul singer returns with a coherent second album, which sees her explore and develop her own sound.
2mo
76
The UK singer’s earthy, sumptuous new album explores her ambivalent relationship to fame. It soars when it lets loose.
2mo
76
An effortlessly produced and performed record, falling or flying finds Jorja Smith exploring new sounds and the world around her and is a welcome follow-up to her debut.
2mo
70
In the relatively short timespan since Jorja Smith’s proper introduction to large audiences, she’s already mastered the art of the slow burn – and her flame isn’t waning just yet.
2mo
70
Smith is clearly maturing and unafraid to sing about both her failings and her partners but her sincerity can sometimes get bogged down by uninspired instrumentals. At her most emotional, Smith is a vocal and lyrical powerhouse whose peak is still yet to come.
1mo
60
falling or flying may fall a bit short of the expectations set by her debut, but it does fly in the face of what you'd expect of someone on their second outing as a solo artist. It's a solid effort despite some missteps — among the clutter is some of the best material of Smith's young career.
2mo
60
It’s hardly surprising that given the choice of falling or flying, the latter triumphs. Smith uses the album to confront the here and now, working with producer duo DAMEDAME* across all 16 tracks to make sense of mid-air.
2mo
60
Jorja Smith’s neo-soul and R&B – all muscular back beats, slinky bass lines and guitar licks – sounds better than ever on falling.
2mo
60
Things turn introspective as Smith deals with self-doubt and toxic treatment, with some beautiful results, particularly Backward, which has a gorgeous strings coda, and the sparse pulse of the choirfeaturing Try And Fit In.
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2mo
40
Smith often finds herself stuck in a musical straitjacket of tired R&B tropes, rarely able to break out of a narrow comfort zone. But on the odd occasion she takes a risk, as with the jazzy house groove Little Things, the effect is sensational. If Smith truly wants to soar, first she’ll have to conquer her fear of falling.
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2mo
The long awaited sophomore album has arrived from British R&B singer Jorja Smith, who's been a rising act since her breakthrough in 2018 with her single "Blue Lights".
Falling or Flying approaches themes of breakups and relationships with her friends, former friends & herself. Personal matter that shows her growth over the years, which makes for great stories to tell that can be musically impactful.
Knowing what Jorja is capable of, having heard "Lost & Found" ... read more
R&B nerd over here, and I thought we were on a hot streak with R&B lately.
But i guess that streak was falling.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know NOTHING about Jorja. Girl only got my listen because she reminds me of my favorite fruit and because there was nothing that peaked my interest this week (may listen to the new Armand Hammer project though since people are liking it so much and it’s got funny track names). What I’ve learned from her though is that she ... read more
From being a very laid back soft r&b artist with examples of don't watch me cry, this is a slight step up for Jorja Smith with her long awaited album. And it isn't too rewarding.
Sweet voice as always but...
I really don't know what to say because if i did end up hating or loving it i would write my opinion and everything i feel about it but this one is just ok. She has a great voice as always had but most of the songs were boring and sounded the same, of course there are strong songs but is just like 4 or 5 and that's it. I really wish i could write and opinion about this but is difficult. The only thing i have an opinion is that STOP BODYSHAMING HER YOU FUCKING RATS.
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Track List
| 1 | Try Me 3:33 | 81 |
| 2 | She Feels 3:12 | 72 |
| 3 | Little Things 3:24 | 82 |
| 4 | Flights skit 0:17 | 47 |
| 5 | Feelings 3:57 feat. J Hus | 71 |
| 6 | Falling or flying 3:24 | 79 |
| 7 | GO GO GO 2:25 | 67 |
| 8 | Try and fit in 1:56 | 67 |
| 9 | Greatest Gift 3:12 feat. Lila Iké | 74 |
| 10 | Broken is the man 2:12 | 68 |
| 11 | Make sense 2:21 | 68 |
| 12 | Too many times 2:38 | 66 |
| 13 | Lately 2:07 | 68 |
| 14 | BT69 JJY 0:25 | 52 |
| 15 | Backwards 3:44 | 77 |
| 16 | What if my heart beats faster? 4:52 | 82 |
Total Length: 43 minutes
Year End Lists
| #3 | / | The Sunday Times |
| #9 | / | PopMatters |
| #77 | / | Rough Trade UK |
| #94 | / | Rolling Stone |
| / | NPR Music | |
| / | Uproxx |
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1mo
We need the dance album thank you very much. Bring out the Nia Archive prod. and turn it up!
1mo
This simply gets worse for me with every listen, sounds like so many potential go to waste
1mo
Absolutely fine project no doubt, but I think ‘little things’ set too high of a bar, as I found this very low impact minus that song, albeit she has a very good voice
Added on: May 18, 2023