Album Review: Jorja Smith: 'Lost and Found'

Jorja Smith was lifted from relative obscurity when Kendrick Lamar asked her to contribute to the soundtrack to Black Panther. But the UK midlands singer was already on an upwards trajectory, with early single 'Blue Lights' widely praised as among the smartest commentaries yet on racial tensions
between British police and urban youth.

She is, likewise, revealed to be far more than a Kendrick protege on her debut LP. Blue Lights is back, just as stunning with Smith's powerful vocal played off against bare-boned production. Her personality - no-nonsense but never self-regarding - is meanwhile to the fore on the vulnerable 'Teenage Fantasy', while she displays the raw presence that has led her to guest with Drake on the smoky 'Where Did I Go'.

Smith has been compared to everyone from Amy Winehouse to FKA Twigs and neo-soul singers such as Kali Uchis. As she confirms here, she is following nobody's path but her own. She's just turned 20 but it's clear Smith has already found what she's looking for.

Lost and Found will be out on the 9th of june.

Rating: 8/10