Tuesday Tracks- “Addicted” by Jorja Smith

Grab a cigarette, a big black puffa, and lip gloss babes, we’re going to the U.K.

For something new and refreshing, we’ve turned to our friends across the pond. I’ll be the first to say it, U.K R&B gives what it needs to give! No tea (HA! Get it?) no shade to the American OGs’ of course, but I must give credit where credit is due.

Jorja Smith’s 2021 track, ‘Addicted’, is a blend of many genres, with sounds and styles adopted from trendy pop to smooth British R&B. The song begins with a curious pentatonic scale that takes me straight into the stratosphere. There is a slow build, starting quiet and the beat rolls in softly with Jorja’s voice.

The song itself is about a failing relationship taking a toll on someone, being drained from the lack of emotional reciprocity from their partner. The lyrics begin, ‘Too far in it, too far gone / she knows what’s in it, she knows what’s wrong / she just can’t quit it, her heart’s so numb”. Off the bat, it introduces a feeling of loss, and fear of loss. Too invested in this relationship to turn it all upside down now, but knowing full and well that something is amiss that simply cannot be fixed. If you’ve been there, sorry darling.

The chorus picks up with more drums and more vocal power from Smith. She sings, “The hardest thing / You are not addicted to me / I’m the only thing you should need”. The melody carries a certain melancholy that evokes feelings of abandonment, betrayal even, from a partner who does not seem to care about you as much as you care about them.

In short, the track is an earworm, a certified BOP in my eyes. Maybe we’ll give the U.K girlies a bit more attention, they certainly deserve it. “Addicted” by Jorja Smith is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.