by Camille Stanley and Max Modell
This month the Mercury Prize-nominated artist Jorja Smith embarks on her headline UK tour, with the Bristol show on Friday 5th October being the nearest appearance for Cardiff University students who are eager to hear her impressive, soulful vocals live.
Smith will be showcasing her debut album Lost and Found which was written between the ages of 17-20 and explores the journey of navigating her young life – relatable to say the least. Containing deep personal cuts like ÔÇÿWandering RomanceÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿDonÔÇÖt Watch Me CryÔÇÖ, as well as smash hit ÔÇÿTeenage FantasyÔÇÖ. The album will resonate with listeners of a similar age to Smith as she skillfully explores the emotions of this period between childhood and adulthood in great detail, putting into words what most are unable to describe. Smith is also an artist who is able to uniquely channel her angelic vocals onto upbeat rhythms, as is seen on the insanely popular ÔÇÿOn My MindÔÇÖ remix with Preditah, which she often performs live to the great delight of her fans who can dance alongside her to the infectious garage beat. You can get a taste of SmithÔÇÖs live performance capabilities through sessions such as her NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (which has amassed over four million views on YouTube) and her BBC Live Lounge appearance where she performed RihannaÔÇÖs ÔÇÿDonÔÇÖt Cut Me DownÔÇÖ.
Jorja Smith is no doubt one of the most prominent new voices in the R&B world. Not only does she explore the issues of heartbreak and self-development through her music, but she also fearlessly tackles social issues head-on in the track ÔÇÿBlue LightsÔÇÖ. It was this song that initially put her on DrakeÔÇÖs radar and started a working relationship between the pair that would see her become respected by some of the best in the industry.
Exposed Magazine described a previous live performance of SmithÔÇÖs as causing ÔÇÿgoosebumpsÔÇÖ to be felt around the whole venue. As such the opportunity to see an artist who has been likened to Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys (whilst still maintaining her own unique combination of Pop, R&B and Soul) should not be missed across next week and the coming month.