Jorja Smith has officially begun the rollout for her third studio album, What Are The Odds, with the release of its lead single, Alive, featuring Wizkid. The album, scheduled for release on August 21, is expected to explore sounds like UK Garage, 2-Step, UK Funky, Soulful House and Afro House. Ahead of the release, Jorja and Wizkid teased the collaboration with a short elevator video on social media, building anticipation building anticipation before the song finally arrived on July 2.
Alive is a simple but effective collaboration. Jorja Smith and Wizkid don’t try to do too much. They let the song speak for itself, and that’s what makes it enjoyable.
After collaborating twice with Burna Boy on Gum Body and the hit single Be Honest, Jorja Smith returns to the Afrobeats space for her first collaboration with Wizkid. Rather than carrying over the same approach she used with Burna Boy, she adapts to Wizkid’s softer, more melodic style. It’s a subtle adjustment, but one that makes Alive feel fresh while showing just how well she understands her collaborators.
Although Wizkid is the featured artist, this is very much Jorja Smith’s song. She remains the focal point from start to finish, while Wizkid adds a refreshing layer to the record without taking attention away from her. His verse fits the mood perfectly.
P2J, the producer behind Alive, deserves credit for creating a soundscape that allows both Jorja Smith and Wizkid to shine, it gives Jorja and Wizkid enough room to let their vocals shine, making the song feel effortless from start to finish.
For Wizkid, Alive is another solid addition to his catalogue of international collaborations. While it doesn’t reach the cultural impact of Essence, that’s hardly a criticism. Alive succeeds for different reasons. It’s more intimate, more understated, and never tries to be bigger than it needs to be.
Wizkid also understands his role on the record. Instead of trying to steal the spotlight, he delivers a feature that complements Jorja Smith’s performance and serves the song. That balance allows both artists to shine, resulting in a collaboration that feels natural from start to finish.
