Five years after her critically acclaimed studio debut Lost & Found, Jorja Smith returns more self-assured than ever. On falling or flying, the UK singer-songwriter stays true to her roots, her lush tone draping over jazzy, futuristic production, while cuts like “GO GO GO” give listeners access to Smith’s more light-hearted side as she dips into indie rock territory. While Lost & Found exuded the energy of an exploratory coming-of-age for the then-19-year-old, falling or flying is a brutally honest expression of all the artist has learned. In her return to the musical spotlight, Smith also found her way back to her hometown of Walsall after spending a handful of years in London, during which time she worked on her sophomore album. falling or flying represents the singer’s blossoming sense of self amidst relentless public opinion, once again proving her intricate capabilities as a storyteller through both lyricism and vocal prowess.