Jorja Smith Drops 12-Track Third Album as Dance EP Idea Grew Into Full Record

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 23

What Are the Odds arrived this week as Smith’s third album, marking her first full commitment to dance music after earlier club-leaning singles.
Nine songs emerged in the first two studio days with producer P2J, turning an intended EP into a 12-track album built from UK garage, funky house, 2-step and Afrobeats.
Smith said the record keeps her emotional core despite its rave-ready sound, with songs touching on addiction, friendship and self-reflection.
The 29-year-old rejected talk of a comeback, saying she has toured continuously since 2017 and that the perception stems largely from her limited social-media presence.
That distance from online celebrity follows years of scrutiny over her appearance; after moving back to Walsall in 2023, she now splits time with London and returns home for a Sept. 6 show.