Jorja Smith - 'By Any Means' Review

Label: FAMM

Release Date: 30th July 2020

Rating: 10/10

“By releasing ‘By Any Means’, Jorja Smith encourages people to stand up together against social injustices and to fight worldwide discrimination together.”

'By Any Means' artwork.

Bold, strong, impactful. Three words that not only describe Jorja Smith, but her new politically fuelled single ‘By Any Means’. The song is a beautiful melody and a strong sound compiled of a good backbeat, alluring vocals and encapsulating lyrics. Jorja Smith is no stranger to impressing her fans with her musical talents and sublime voice, but she really has outdone herself with this track. The emotion you can hear in her voice as she sings the lyrics proves just how much the song means to her, which will resinate with her audience and listeners alike. The ballad is bittersweet; it is a beautiful listen, but simultaneously saddening as you understand the deep meaning hidden beneath it.

In a statement, Smith said that “The inspiration behind ‘By Any Means’ really came from going to the Black Lives Matter protest and leaving thinking, what can I do to keep this conversation going? It’s not just a post on social media, it’s life.”, honing in on how influential the music industry can be on world issues. Not only is she using her platform and talent to raise attention of the Black Lives Matter movement, but she is also aiding organisations such as The Gathering for Justice and the Cop Accountability project. This was the first song to be released from the Reprise project, made by Roc Nation, which sees musicians coming together to bring attention to social injustices through music. The lyrics to the song are so powerful to the movement, especially the line “broke these chains just to put our hands up”, which is particularly striking.

By releasing ‘By Any Means’, Jorja Smith encourages people to stand up together against social injustices and to fight worldwide discrimination together. This is not only a beautiful song, but one that is so important and relevant to current worldwide problems.

Words by Courtney McLaven.