Jorja Smith - falling or flying

"Falling or Flying" doesn't open with a bang, but with an invitation. Track 1, "Try Me," immediately establishes the codes of a project that refuses ostentation. Between 43 and 48 seconds, sixteen tracks follow one another in a movement that oscillates between minimalist restraint and intimate urgency, as if each song were a "standstill moment"—a pause where one observes the world through the cracks of a relationship, a friendship, or a connection to oneself.

Damedame* at the helm: minimal aesthetics serving the voice

Sonic homogeneity is the first trait that strikes. Each track becomes an echo chamber where the singer explores themes close to her heart—breakups, friendships, introspection—without seeking to surprise through overly complex arrangements.

Feelings feat. J Hus and Greatest Gift feat. Lila Iké: features as contrast accelerators

If the album is built on sobriety, two tracks punctuate this homogeneity with rhythmic and energetic contrasts. On track 5, "Feelings," J Hus adds a touch of reference rap flow that anchors the song in a more urban aesthetic, creating a dialogue between his cadence and the artist's soul voice. On track 9, "Greatest Gift," Lila Iké introduces an assertive pop-R&B vocal energy, reinforcing the relational theme while expanding the album's tonal palette. These two collaborations do not serve to break up the project but rather make it vibrate across multiple registers without ever betraying its overall unity.

74/100 on Metacritic: a reception that validates the pop-R&B evolution

Critical reception has been generally favorable, with a score of 74/100 on Metacritic. Joe Goggins, in DIY, sees this as proof that she made the right choice to take her time refining this comeback. NME even compares the album to Solange's When I Get Home (2019), describing it as an uncompromising treasure where every song is unique but guided by a constant: self-confidence.

Between perfect cohesion and R&B clichés: the downside of assumed uniformity

The verdict remains nuanced. While the sonic cohesion is impeccable, several tracks rely too heavily on genre clichés, according to Mojo. Wesley McLean, in Exclaim!, notes that the omnivorous approach—exploring new sounds and crossing genres—eventually hampers narrative coherence. The album sometimes lacks a sharper vision, getting trapped in an overly comfortable zone. But it is precisely this tension between an assumed unity and thematic deviations that gives Falling or Flying its strength: it does not seek to impress through surprise, but rather to convince through the authenticity of a comeback after five years of silence.

Technical Details

- Release: August 30, 2023 - Label: FAMM - Tracks: 16 (43 min 48 s) - Opening / Closing: Try Me / What if my heart beats faster? - Guests: J Hus, Lila Iké - Previous Album: Lost & Found (2019)