Be Right Back

## Singles

1. "Addicted"
Released: March 10, 2021
2. "Gone"
Released: April 19, 2021
3. "Bussdown"
Released: May 14, 2021

***Be Right Back*** is the third extended play by British singer Jorja Smith. The record was released on 14 May 2021 by FAMM. Self described as a "waiting room" in preparation for her sophomore album, *Be Right Back* features writing and production from long time collaborators Joel Compass and Ed Thomas, amongst others, as well as guest vocals from British-Nigerian rapper Shaybo. Written and recorded over a two-year period, *Be Right Back* sonically adopts experimental song structures and lyrically revolves around the complexity of ideal womanhood, relationships and self-awareness.

Upon its release, *Be Right Back* received generally positive reviews from critics who praised Smith's vocals and noted it as a worthy prelude to her follow up album. The EP was promoted with the release of three singles; "Addicted", "Gone" and "Bussdown".

## Background

> "It's called be right back because it's just something I want my fans to have right now, this isn't an album and these songs wouldn't have made it. If I needed to make these songs, then someone needed to hear them too."
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Smith described *Be Right Back* as a "waiting room" in preparation for her upcoming second studio album. *Be Right Back* was written and recorded over a two-year period (2019-2021), and was used by Smith as a way to give herself closure over numerous situations that happened during that two year period.

## Music and lyrics

*Be Right Back* is an eight-track set that takes influence from jazz, R&B and trip-hop. The album adopts unconventional song structure and was noted for its experimental production, seen by Kyann-Sian Williams of *NME* as "moving away from her traditional soulful and garage sounds." Robin Murray from *Clash* stated the album expanded on the "luxurious modern soul" of Smith's debut album with influences of British underground music described by Murray as a "London-centric Soulquarian vibe." Eric Torres of Pitchfork noted the album's musical style as being "contrasting", stating that Smith takes influence from hip-hop production, but focuses on "mellower, guitar- and piano-driven instrumentation." The album lyrics adopt a poetic style and discuss the complexity of womanhood, relationships and self-awareness.

*Be Right Back* opens with "Addicted" a rock inspired song which features "wispy keyboards, a stuttering snare drum, smoky guitars" and was compared by Chris Deville of Stereogum to Radiohead. "Gone" features a 2 step production, with electro inspired drums, keyboards and Smith delivering her vocals in a "half spoken" style. Bussdown is an afroswing track that features guest vocals by British rapper Shaybo. Kyann-Sian Williams of *NME* compared the song to Smith's own "Be Honest" (2019). Shaybo's verse was noted as a departure from her usually aggressive rhymes, opting for a slower delivery. Lyrically the song discusses the juxtaposition between fame and happiness.

"Home" is built over an electric guitar. "Burn" is a jazz song that features rhythmic bass', guitar and "rolling" vocals which were described by Eric Torres of *Pitchfork* as sounding on the "verge of tears." "Digging" is a pop rock song with "angsty 80s pop" influences according to Kadish Morris of The Guardian. Candace McDuffie of *Paste magazine* described the song beginning "with intriguing reverb and escalates to feel-good, cascading rhythms". McDuffie also described the lyrics as "existential" noting Smith's mention of heaven. The EP's closing song "Weekend" is an alternative R&B song with a minimalist production and operatic singing that was compared to the work of Willow Smith by Kyann-Sian Williams of *NME*.

## Release and promotion

*Be Right Back* was released on 14 May 2021 to digital music and streaming platforms. *Be Right Back* was Smith's third extended play and first major release since Lost & Found (2018). Smith initially wanted to call the project "This Is Not My Second Album", telling Apple Music that *Be Right Back* was a collection of songs that she had written but were not intended for her second studio album.

The EP was promoted with the release of three singles. "Addicted" was released as the first single to streaming platforms on 10 March 2021. Acclaimed by critics, the song peaked at forty-six on the UK Singles Chart. "Gone" was released as the EP's second single on 19 April 2021. The song failed to chart on any major platforms but peaked at number twenty-nine on the UK Independent Singles Charts. The third single "Bussdown" featuring Shaybo was released on 13 May 2021 and peaked at fifty-six on the UK Singles Chart.