The five original tracks from ‘Don’t Give Up The Fear’ were showstopping, and now Smith has lifted the curtain one final time to drop three stripped back classics.
If you don’t know the name Nia Smith already, by the time you press play on her discography you’ll soon be enthralled by this singer’s artistry and down-to-earth personality. The title of Nia Smith’s debut EP wasn’t just an artistic choice, it was a mantra, one that listener’s should carry with them into 2025, Give Up The Fear.
Smith wants to reinforce this phrase further by not only continuing to promote the record and its five phenomenal tracks but by creating its successor, Give Up The Fear (+3), adding three familiar hits with a new intimate style and bringing fans closer than ever before.
‘Reckless Soul (Alt Version)’ kicks off this updated EP and compared to its demo counterpart, the song feels fuller. The choir-like background voices and stronger guitar plucks throughout feel like a warming hug.
After easing us in slowly Smith follows up by diving in head first. Most people would steer clear from covering a song by R&B great and household name Lauryn Hill, but not Nia. Much like the title of her project, she gave up the fear with a bold cover of ‘Ex-Factor (Acoustic)’. Smith respects the song's legacy while sprinkling her Brixton accent sporadically, a brilliant rendition.
If you’re going to know any song by the London-based talent it would be her laid back Reggae-Soul hybrid ‘Personal’. This song has been on a journey of its own, performed on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ and ‘Vevo DSCVR Artists To Watch 2025’, receiving a remix from Reggae champion Popcaan too.
There’s something so magnetic about this single, whether it's the genre-blending instrumental that lays easy on the ears or impossible-not-to-sing pre-chorus, “It's all love 'til there's no love/ Move yourself from me.”
The final updated track is ‘Personal (Acoustic)’ and although the familiar instrumental may have been switched for a singular guitar, it helps us understand one of the main reasons we love the song so much, Nia’s raw vocals.
Smith may have added three more songs for us to obsess over but ‘Personal’ will always hold a special place in our hearts, just don’t tell the other seven tracks!
Loved this review ! Will definitely check her out