Deja - Intro [EP Review]
In Intro’s six sultry tracks, up-and-coming Brit act Deja demonstrates that an introduction is actually rather unnecessary; the confidence and sassy charm oozing from this artist’s sticky, diverse array of glossy R&B tunes says it all.
While she’s already performed alongside Stormzy, Etta Bond and The Jacksons, with just two singles out prior to the release of her debut project, this twenty-something London singer-songwriter seems to have arrived on the scene without batting a sparkling eyelid. Deja’s ‘Intro’ is something we would expect to hear from a much more seasoned artist, and it comes as a welcome surprise that this near-newcomer has absolutely smashed it out the park.
Her not-so-secret weapon? A devilish mix of sweetness and sass. The sweetness is all in her amazingly silky vocals that flit and fly as she raps, sings and sighs in that wonderfully unaltered Brit accent. Deja’s impact is also levelled up with crisp, rich production which flips between a number of eclectic styles; borrowing from bass-laden trap, synthy electro-pop and rhythmic, sensual R&B.
Traversing classic R&B subjects of love, lust and break-ups, Deja makes her mark on the genre by channelling the many sides of her magnetic personality through her wise-cracking, slyly soul-baring songs. Leading with single ‘Ted Talk’, Deja gets us acquainted with her dominant feisty side, singing, “Don’t tell me how to live, I don’t care, I’m the best I’ve ever been,” over a shuddering bass line. Deja’s unapologetically independent streak crops up often, including in the brilliantly catchy tongue-in-cheek tune, ‘Sit Down’, which is complete with a choir of heavenly voices, fit for backing the wrath of an R&B goddess, and ‘Control’, a fun, unbothered banger built around a frenetic beat. ‘Losing You’ hints that Deja’s sassier side is more of a mechanism for shielding her weak spots. She sings, “No more falling in love, no Cupid. I think falling in love is stupid,” before moving into a hilariously dismissive tirade against her ex’s new girl.
The seductive singles ‘Last Dance’ and ‘Paris’ reveal Deja in a more loving, vulnerable state, with the latter providing a particularly plush platform for Deja to really wow us with her breathy, honeyed vocals. By unapologetically putting the full scope of her identity on show in the midst of infectious, captivating song structures throughout his record, Deja has built an incredibly fun and empowering project that champions authenticity and that cheekily tempts listeners to embrace their dark side.
Speaking on the EP, DEJA explains; “I'm very much in an unapologetic place right now so most of the tracks affirm my assertion of power; "Ted Talk", "Sit Down ,''Control”, all came from an IDGAF kinda energy. Yes, I class myself as a baddie and yes, I'm a Gemini - we multifaceted honey! I honestly believe the world would be a better place if women took the lead.”