[2] Self described as a "waiting room" in preparation for her sophomore album, Be Right Back features writing and production from long time collaborators Joel Compass and Ed Thomas, amongst others, as well as guest vocals from British-Nigerian rapper Shaybo.

Written and recorded over a two-year period, Be Right Back sonically adopts experimental song structures and lyrically revolves around the complexity of ideal womanhood, relationships and self-awareness.

Upon its release, Be Right Back received generally positive reviews from critics who praised Smith's vocals and noted it as a worthy prelude to her follow up album.

[6] The album adopts unconventional song structure and was noted for its experimental production, seen by Kyann-Sian Williams of NME as "moving away from her traditional soulful and garage sounds.

"[8] Eric Torres of Pitchfork noted the album's musical style as being "contrasting", stating that Smith takes influence from hip-hop production, but focuses on "mellower, guitar- and piano-driven instrumentation.

[10] Be Right Back opens with "Addicted" a rock inspired song which features "wispy keyboards, a stuttering snare drum, smoky guitars" and was compared by Chris Deville of Stereogum to Radiohead.

[7] Likewise Candace McDuffie of Paste magazine felt the EP was a "promising" sign of what Smith's follow up album would offer stating "hopefully, the singer will experiment even further with more rich and upbeat tunes that will heighten the dynamism of her already-indelible voice.

"[10] Eric Torres editor of Pitchfork called Smith's vocals the "most appealing quality", noting her ability to use her voice to tap into "various emotional states."

Torres summed the extended play stating "With stripped-back instrumentation and poignant emotion, the English singer's latest release is a stopgap EP that punches above its weight.