JORJA SMITH made it over to Jamaica before lockdown for inspiration and to write new tunes, before all this descended on the world.
While she was there she hooked with the dancehall-bending singer Popcaan and together they fashioned up her new single, “Come On Over”, which you can watch today with us with its excellent accompanying animation, courtesy director Amber Grace.
Jorja says of the song, in which she lays her husky lyricism of that all-too-common tale of messaging app disconnection in our seemingly hyperconnected world: “It’s an upbeat and empowering single, inspired by that unsure feeling when you’re talking to someone and you can’t tell how much they’re into you and you’re chasing them when – really – it can be straight up and no one should be playing games.”
Speaking of the sleek lines of the animation, Amber said: “When all production froze due to Covid, Jorja reached out to me.
“Little did she know it’s a lifelong dream of mine to create an anime-inspired piece, being a fan of Ghibli, Satoshi Kon, Aeon Flux, Wicked City and other classics.
“[The] best part was that production limits in animation are somewhat non-existent (except of course for how much time you have and resources); but in terms of actions, it felt infinite.
“I wanted an airborne scene, a hover motorbike, and a fight scene of an undefeated Jorja to kill off a fleet of slimy, artificial club fuckboys on a dystopian sun planet using her hair as her weapon. Naturally my script evolved into ideas only my imagination could dream up!”
“Come Over’ follows on from Jorja’s single earlier this year, “By Any Means“, a passionate Britsoul call to arms for civil rights, and the lead single from Roc Nation’s upcoming Reprise project. Earlier this month she recorded an excellent, stripped back rendition for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge on which she really lets her voice rip.
You can stream and purchase “Come On Over” on your preferred digital service provider here; and follow Jorja on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and at her website.
