Jorja Smith returns with ‘Try Me’, check out these exclusive BTS stills from her comeback video
Smith's comeback song sees her facing the struggles of 'having to put yourself out there, in front of a world that has many opinions'
By Nick Reilly
Jorja Smith has returned with new track ‘Try Me’. You can watch the video below and check out some exclusive BTS stills on Rolling Stone UK.
Produced by the Birmingham-born, London-based female duo, DAMEDAME, ‘Try Me’ sees the Midlands singer heading in an upbeat direction, with inspiration stemming from “Being in the public eye – it’s about having to put yourself out there, in front of a world that has many opinions”.
It comes accompanied by stunning visuals set around the suburbs of Marseille that open with the image of the singer crawling in the moonlight.
As the interpretative dance continues, we see her in a variety of settings – including an Amphitheatre in the city.
Describing the visual, director Amber Grace Johnson said: “The idea started from the human need we all have to defend ourselves from the pressures of the world. In the most basic terms, the life of an artist can, at times, feel like a fight for your life.
“Your art consumes you, consoles you, and acts as a lifeline, and when you release it to the world it can feel dire, when exposing yourself so vulnerably. Originally, I was thinking back to a text exchange with my twin sister who shared some words during a time I needed most. Comparing our lives to being bullfighters, she reminded me that life is a fight and “we cannot and will not fall off the bull..we must stay on the bull.”
She continued: This thought swirled in my head for a while and materialized after recently watching Adrien Brody play Manolete, the prestigious matador in Menno Meyjes’ “A Matador’s Mistress” alongside Penelope Cruz who plays the love of his life, Lupe Sino. I fell in love with the erotic passion of this love triangle; between the fighter, his lover, and the undying love for his craft. Which becomes a never-ending dance with death. Upon hearing this song’s hypnotic and cathartic vocals, the words “Try Me” and “I’ve Changed?” come from a place of being provoked. And I couldn’t get this image out of my head. Jorja as a metaphorical bullfighter, taming the unruly beast of society’s scrutiny, as an artist in 2023.”
Smith’s debut album came in 2018’s Lost & Found, while more recently her Be Right Back EP arrived in 2021. More new music is expected in the coming year.