This is the “Lady Love” review post. Come check it often because we’ll be adding them here as they come.  We’re making this post a sticky for your easiest convenience. Remember that you can listen to the album on myspace. (add the songs to your page as well while you’re at it)

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NuSoul Magazine

Former Destiny’s Child member Letoya Luckett has worked hard to remove herself from the shadow of that super-group, releasing a number 1 debut album that showcased her pop-friendly yet soulful talents. With Lady Love, Letoya’s sophomore solo effort, she further makes her presence known as a memorable artist in her own right. Although Lady Love moves away from the classic soul sound of her debut for a more slick electronic sound, the songwriting is as catchy as ever, with several cuts that will have you pressing the repeat button.

Letoya’s sound is definitely pure R&B with most of the tracks on Lady Love having a mid-tempo feel, all booming bass and sexy undulating hooks. She never veers into mindless dance territory even on uptempo tracks such as “She Ain’t Got” and “Drained”, which remain lyrically dense and complex. Her sound could most easily be compared to a Faith Evans rather than a Beyonce as the themes and lyrics tend to be more mature that the average R&B diva. Standouts like “Tears” and “Matter” play like tracks produced by the Dream but with a noticeably more adult sensibility added to the lyrical content. But Letoya’s made sure to include at least one surefire radio hit, the unstoppable “Regret” featuring Ludacris. Sure to be one of 2009’s standout singles it bumps with savage energy even as the track barely rises above fingersnaps occasionally ramping things up to furious rat-a-tat snares. Appearances and production from the likes of Estelle, Ryan Leslie, Tank, and Mims keeps things interesting throughout.

Proof that there is life after Destiny’s Child, Letoya keeps doing her thing. For fans of quality R&B grooves, this is one that should not be misses.

- Norman Mayers

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Centerstage09 (Fan review)

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About.com

Confidence & Swagger

Former original Destiny’s Child member, LeToya Luckett carves her niche in the world of R&B music with the release of her sophomore album, Lady Love. Released in the U.S. on Aug. 25, 2009, the album flaunts a newfound confidence and “swagga” that was previously lacking on her 2006 self-titled debut. After listening to the album, one must question why exactly LeToya wasn’t offered more lead vocals while a member of Destiny’s Child and the true motives behind her being replaced at the budding of the group’s mainstream success.

Slight Variations

On this album, LeToya exhibits her versatility as her soft soprano vocals ride along over hard hitting bass-laden tracks and croons over many of the album’s ballads. This time around, she deviates from many of the hip-hop tracks that comprised her debut album. Opting for a more ballad and mid-tempo album, Lady Love only offers three danceable tracks.

The 15-track album, although a solid offering, does have its drawbacks. The majority of the tracks fall into two categories: love gone wrong and “She Ain’t Got Sh** On Me.” With these themes being the driving force behind the album, Lady Love can quickly become a tiresome listen. Many of the songs tend to sound alike, and you might find yourself double checking to see if you accidentally hit the repeat button.

Apparently the creative minds behind the album failed to take into consideration that there are only so many variations one can do to a song about a cheating lover, how love has left one damaged, or about how good one’s love supposedly is. In fact, the majority of the songs are slight variations from her debut album. A listen from start to finish will show that there isn’t one hit song. Instead of going for chart toppers, Lady Love’s main focus is on offering above-average songs. What surprised me about the album wasn’t the lack of number one hits, but that it actually offered a cohesive compilation of tracks. If you are going through the aftermaths of a relationship, contemplating on calling it quits with a lover, or have been cheated on, then you might choose to seek comfort in many of the songs.

A Great Listen

If you put aside the monotonous song content and themes, LeToya’s vocals are what kept me replaying the album over and over. She seductively coos over the “I Need A U,” which she duets with an electric guitar. She successfully shows us that Janet Jackson isn’t the only one capable of selling a song that is lightly whispered. This is by far one of the album’s standout tracks. In fact, I hope it’s a sound that LeToya sticks with. LeToya shows off her upper vocal register on “Don’t Need U.” This, in my opinion, is LeToya’s best recording to-date. Overall, there really are no bad tracks on the album. Other notable tracks include the Ne-Yo penned lead single “Not Anymore,” “Lazy,” and the Ludacris assisted track “Regret.”

Lady Love sees songwriting duties by LeToya herself, Tank, Ne-Yo, J. Valentine and Chris Brown just to name a few. Neff-U, Blac Elvis, MaddScientist, and Ryan Leslie are some of the notable producers that lent their skills to the project. Estelle, Ludacris and Mims make guest appearances.

Overall, the album falls into the contemporary R&B genre and is a great listen – although listeners might quickly lose interest. This critic gives Lady Love 3/5 stars.

Pros:

Vocal growth

Production

Songwriting

Cons:

Monotonous lyrics

Lack of subject matter

No variations

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MissTP90

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Celebritybug

With one certified platinum album under her belt, LeToya Luckett returns with a new chapter on her sophomore album, Lady Love, which was released on Tuesday.

Packed with earnest ballads and mid-tempos that profoundly document the ups and downs of love and relationships, the songstress struts a new found confidence that wasn’t effectively present on her debut album. For the most part, she kicks the hip-hop and H-town representing tracks to the curb and offers a journey that cohesively fits as the fifteen tracks (plus one bonus) transition from one to another.

“Lady Love”: With Ron ‘Neff-U’ Feemster (Ashanti’s “In These Streets” and Keyshia Cole’s “You Complete Me”) taking the reigns with production, this track forcefully exudes a winning and retro 80s vibe, as well as, a heavy dose of swagger from the songstress. Towards the middle it can start to feel a slight bit cheesy, but it still encompasses all the makings of a really solid track.

“She Ain’t Got Shit On Me”: This is one of the few times that the album dives into upbeat territory, as she assertively allegates a mistress failing to embody a bulk of her characteristics, a declaration filled with electric guitars and heavy drums. The track was produced by Corey Bold and features Chris Brown on writing duties, which probably helps explain why the sound is a bit more pop.

“Not Anymore”: As the past shows, Ne-Yo has a niche for crafting massive female anthems, which is most adequately showcased with Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Take A Bow”, and this one is no different. It served as lead single and offered a nice reintroduction to the star, and rightfully takes its place as one of the best female summer anthems.

“Lazy”: This track is what one might call a slow cooker, given it doesn’t immediately hit you until you listen to it a couple of times and finally realize that it is a realization of how love can make you feel at times. It has an ore that could easily find solace in the arms of Urban radio, as she chronicles not being ready to give your heart to another.

“Good To Me”: She gathers a list of all the things she wants in a man, one that goes to church with his mama and doesn’t mind cooking her dinner are just a few of the things that make the list. The track itself just mirrors amazing, but the best thing about it is that it focuses the attention on her vocals, which have greatly improved since her debut album. Third best track on the album.

“Over”: Standing as the album’s best offering, it sees the singer declaring that if she’s wronged in a relationship, then that will mark its end. It simply embodies all the making of the word stellar, and the piano melodies, in addition, to the great vocals from Ms. Luckett, quickly help sail this one into the winner’s circle.

“Regret”: The songstress strongly tell an ex, “you must regret the day that you left me”. As I previously noted, a couple of things sell this track, which entails the changing in dynamics, the Ludacris feature, and her beaming presence on the track. I’ve heard a couple of people and bloggers compare this track to Kelly Rowland’s “Ghetto”, which I guess is a safe assumption since they were both crafted at the hands of  Tank, but the key element that separates the two is that this track is actually good and the other is on the opposite end of that spectrum.

“I Need A U”: Calling this track sexy would easily fall into the understatement pile, as she seductively coos in a light whisper that matches a sense of sexiness only rightfully own by Janet Jackson in the past. It blows your mind in more than one way, and for me, easily take residence as the album’s second best offering.

“Take Away Love”: Embraced with a laidback vibe, the songstress finds a conflict in not wanting or being ready for a relationship. It is a throwback to R&B of the 90s, but still equipped with a sound that is very reflective of today, and even Estelle makes a nice contribution.

“After Party”: There is a hidden appeal to this track that I can’t quite put my finger on, maybe it’s the slight transition of dynamics or the winning melodies and adlibs. Either way, it is a really solid contribution that slightly indulges into upbeat waters.

“Drained”: A solid track on which the songstress admits not giving her all to a relationship and draining her partner’s energy in the process.

“Tears”: This track originally surfaced as a demo in 2008, which was sung by Asia Cruise, it was beautiful then and it remains so here. It travels with a laidback essence that again captures a throwback to R&B of the 90s.

“Matter”: Penned by Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, this one rides the rails of solid as she serves up another helping of ‘I Can Do It Better Than Her’.

“Love Rollercoaster”: This track originally saw placement on Mims’ 2009 album Guilt, and LeToya simply serves as the featured vocalist. For me, its appeal is very limit and most will probably cast it off as a filler, which likely won’t be disputed.

“Don’t Need You”: Produced by Madd Scientist, this one after a few prior bumps, brings the album to a nice finish. Her vocals are great and the production, which entails piano melodies and slight beat boxing references, is top notched.

“Swagger” (Bonus Track)”: With a reference to Beyonce’s “Upgrade U” and features from Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug and Bun B, it does contain the essence heard in the uptempos on her first album, but as I originally stated, it is more deserving of placement on a mixtape than a studio album.

Final Verdict:

The album lacks the presence of a bad track, but it does encompass several that tend to run together with the extremely restricted subject-matter. That said, it does follow an effective transition from her debut, but elaborates the blueprints with growth in vocals and a confidence that made it hard to sell pieces of the first album.

Whether it sees success or not has yet to be determine, but Lady Love is the best female R&B album so far this year, and the second best R&B album (No.1 isMaxwell’s BLACKsummers’night).

Rating: 4 out of 5

Celebrity Bug’s Key Tracks: “Lady Love”, “She Ain’t Got Shit On Me”, “Not Anymore”, “Good To Me”, “Over”, “I Need A You”, “Take Away Love” and “Don’t Need You.

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DJ Booth

She might not admit it, but it’s got to annoy LeToya Luckett whenever she sees “previously of Destiny’s Child” attached to her name; meaning she must be constantly annoyed. Even though it’s been nearly a decade since LeToya left Destiny’s Child, she’s still routinely talked about in the past tense. It’s like if I was always referred to as Nathan S, formerly of Thurston Middle School (except replace “middle school” with “most successful female group of all time”). For better or worse, LeToya’s drive to establish herself as a solo artist is the story of an artist’s struggle to shift the world’s view of her from the past, to the present and into the future.

With her second album, Lady Love, Luckett takes another step away from her Destiny’s Child roots and towards becoming, simply, LeToya. Unfortunately, the momentum she established with her successful debut album was largely squandered when she got lost in the merger shuffle between Virgin and Capitol Records, but, if I can be allowed a cliché, better late than never. Like her first album, Lady Loveis an always high quality work that consistently showcases LeToya’s bright future as an R&B talent. Long story short, you might as well get to know LeToya, because if Lady Love is any indication, she’s going to be part of the musical landscape for a long time to come.

Letoya’s first album consistently brushed up against the more hip-hop side of R&B, a rap flirtation that continues on Lady Love. Just take the lead single She Ain’t Got, an electronically soaked track with street foundations. LeToya more than capably hits the high notes on She Ain’t Got, but it’s her fierce personality, not her voice, that makes the track remarkable. “’Bout to put my foot down on homegirl’s neck” are not the words of a pop princess. Even more hip-hop-esque is the album’s bonus track Swagger, a banger that embraces her H-Town roots with guest verses from Bun B, Slim Thug and Killa Kyleon. It’s fascinating to hear LeToya hold her own next to such trill gentlemen and I would have loved to see more of this side of her on the album, instead of tracks like the formulaically radio-friendly duet with Mims Love Rollercoaster. By contrast, the Ludacris-assisted Regret is much better, partially because LeToya gets back to showcasing her unique style, and partially because Luda just doesn’t make bad tracks. Either way, Lady Love proves once again that LeToya can easily hold her own next to anyone holding a mic, a skill that’s essential to success in today’s game.

Ultimately though, Lady Love is more of a mid-tempo R&B album than a hip-hop hybrid. Case in point Not Anymore, the album’s most traditional ballad. LeToya doesn’t have a powerhouse voice, and it shows most prominently on slower tracks like Not Anymore or the break-up anthemOver. Not everyone needs to do passionate break downs like Keyshia Cole, but it helps, and LeToya just doesn’t have the vocal firepower to really make the track cry. Instead LeToya’s real home is in the mid-tempo department, a fact proven time and time again on Lady Love. Take Away Love is one of the album’s best tracks, a supremely smooth song featuring Estelle, and Good to Me reminds me of something off of Usher’s Confessions album, a densely layered track that manages to be serious and sexy at the same time. Speaking of which, Lady Love passes my “every good R&B album needs at least one baby-making track” test with I Need A U, a breathy and burning track that should set the sheets on fire. (Remember when I said LeToya’s not as good slowed down? There’s one notable, very notable, exception on Lady Love). I just want to go on the record saying that I could definitely be A U, if you catch my drift LeToya. I’m just saying, think it over.

Lady Love isn’t a perfect album, at times it feels uninspired and overly deliberate, but it’s clearly the work of a woman coming into her own as an artist. So just how good is Lady Love? Let’s put it this way: From now on I’m not going to attach a “formerly of Destiny’s Child” onto LeToya Luckett’s name. She will finally be, simply, LeToya. She’s earned it.

Rating: 3.5/5

Nathan S.

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My Mood Is Music

It’s been three years since LeToya released her self titled debut album and proved to the world with her hit single “Torn” that she could make it beyond Destiny’s Child. That album left her fans yearning for more and on Lady Love Ms. Luckett truly delivers on all fifteen tracks.

Lady Love takes you on an emotional journey of a once passionate and loving relationship that has gone wrong where quite frankly she has become fed up. You also hear the thoughts of a chick that is ready to give her all to a man, but only if he is deserving since she has been hurt way too many times before. In other words “ice-box” is an understatment for where this girl’s heart used to be if you get my drift. While listening to this album the lyrics will come to life in songs like Not Anymore(produced and written by Ne-Yo), Regret, and Lazy where it becomes evident that play time is over and that the games must come to a end.

In addition to ballads Letoya also gets the party started with songs that include her current single She Ain’t Got, Lady Love, and After Party. With special appearances from Mims, Ludacris, and Estelle this album will bring pleasure to your ears. When listening to music people want to hear their story be told even when they don’t have the ability to sing. LeToya has put together a classic album that any or everyone can relate to, especially females, making the title of her project Lady Love more than appropriate and suitable for the occasion.

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Concreeteloop

LeToya Luckett is back, more confident, and much more fun with her second album “Lady Love.” After dropping her self-titled debut in 2006, this time around Miss Luckett not only flexes her vocal muscles but does a good job of it—which is more than we can say for a lot of singers these days.

The biggest difference between this album and her last kicks off with the self-assured lead single “Not Anymore.” Unlike the indecisive “Torn” (from her first album) this song makes up its mind from the gate even including an ode to women empowerment and “knowing ones worth.” Penned by none other than Ne-yo (who we all know is pretty much a master at flipping a sappy break-up song and making it sassy. I mean honestly Beyonce’s Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” are the stuff that dreams are made of) is perfect when you’re teetering on the edge of keeping your man in your life, or kicking him to the curb where he belongs.

Another track assisting in Luckett’s bold new expression is the up-tempo “She Ain’t Got.” Despite being a little psychotic in the lyrics, Luckett shows off even more of herconfidence with the hook “Who is this chick that you thinks all that? Tryna’ take you away but I ain’t having that. I’mma put my foot down on homegirl’s neck to make her see that, she ain’t got nothing on me.” We all know that a woman sure of herself and her relationship doesn’t really need to be fighting some chick too keep her man….but every once in a while we have a crazy day, so this song gets a lyrical pass for being relatable.

Luckily it’s not all about fighting your man, or leaving your man, or hitting some female with a bat over your man, on. “Lazy,” is a perfect hybrid of both the vulnerability and fear of getting into a new relationship. Other standouts include“Regret,” featuring Ludacris, which can be best paralleled to a slower version of Beyonce’s “Upgrade You.” Now I know, Beyonce and LeToya (and all the rest of Destiny’s Child) are over, so it’s not fare to compare them, but the overall concepts are close.

Aside from a couple missteps like “After Party,” which is just lame (there’s really no other way of putting it) “Lady Love” is solid attempt and has a song for everyday of your “relationship week.” It not only goes through the emotions of an up and down love story, but is original enough to dance to, giving it a few extra points on the R&B scale.

My Picks: ‘Not Anymore’, ‘She Ain’t Got’ & ‘Lazy’….I also like ‘Lady Love’….

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Associated Press (AP)

Music Review: LeToya Luckett delivers edgy CD

By MELANIE SIMS

LeToya Luckett calls it like she sees it on her sophomore disc, “Lady Love.” The smoldering mix of tracks features a confident, straight-talking 28-year-old who proves she’s miles from her Destiny’s Child persona of the past.

Luckett coos a breathy plea for the kind of man her life’s been missing on the sexy “I Need A U.” And on the echoing “Over,” Luckett confidently warns her mate about what would happen if his fidelity ever came into question.

It’s not that Luckett is simply edgy, it’s that she’s believable — peppering the disc, and a song like “Regret,” featuring Ludacris, with just the right amount of toughness (and a choice word or two, justifying the CD’s explicit label).

The singer’s vocals are solid, and production crisp — making even missteps like the somewhat cheesy “Drained” forgivable.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Luckett keeps it honest on “Lazy,” when she confesses disappointments in love have left her no energy for “getting to know you, what you like to eat and what you like to do.”

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IamChase

On August 25th, LeToya will release her second solo album, Lady Love.  The disc is a ballad-centric compilation that stays true to LeToya’s traditional R&B-ballad signature style as evidenced on her self-titled first album, while displaying growth both musically and (in particular) vocally.  Although the few uptempos on the record (”She Ain’t Got…”, “Take Away Love”, “After Party”, “Love Rollercoaster”) lack the Houston chopped/screwed dirty hip hop flavour of the club songs on her debut, they veer more towards a poppier, guitar-fused sound.  The bonus track “Swagger” is a nod to her previous uptempos, featuring Bun B, Killa Kyleon & ex Slim Thug, and while LeToya isn’t on the song enough for it to warrant being a proper track on the album (thus making sense why it’s relegated to ‘bonus’ status), it is a nice throwback to bangers such as “Gangsta Grillz” and “Tear Da Club Up” that were highlights on her first disc.  Of Lady Love’s upbeat tracks, single “She Ain’t Got…” is the standout, a gutsy declaration to a cheating boyfriend that ain’t nobody better than Toya.  The electric guitar adds extra fuel to her fiery performance, and the hooks of “Swing batter batter batter” + “She ain’t got shit on me” are addictive.  This may be the most poppy LeToya has ever gone, but it’s still got an added punch and bite that most pop tracks lack.

But as stated at the beginning of the review, the album focuses mainly on ballads, and there is a wealth of stellar-quality material here.  From the airy vocals of the title track that opens the album (although I can’t help thinking of this track as an extended intro to the album, so blown away is it by “She Ain’t Got…” that immediately follows) to “Lazy”, which appears to remake Rihanna’s “Rehab” with better lyrics and far better vocals, where LeToya sings that “her heart’s a little lazy” after so much drama with love and relationships (I can relate!).  The vocals on this disc are far improved not only from her debut, but seem to position LeToya as a rising powerhouse (something which is quite surprising, since she never sang lead in Destiny’s Child and the kind of vocal prowess she displays on the album has barely been hinted at before).  One thing is for sure, when Beyoncé stated in the Destiny’s Child interview that “LeToya was more or less tone deaf, she was more of a rapper than anything”, she was fucking lying.  I’m sorry, but if LeToya is a rapper, she is the best-singing rapper to walk this earth (no disrespect to Lauryn Hill).  Listening to the standout “Good To Me”, where LeToya lists her reasonable desires in a partner and pleads that she is tired of being disappointed, the vocals explode throughout the song, with sustained notes and riffs both sounding impressive.

As well as competent belting, LeToya also takes risks with her voice.  On the sensual “I Need A U”, LeToya spends most of the song in an airy whisper, which compliments the slow-as-molasses beat and sexy lyrics to create a perfectly seductive listen.  Nevertheless, the best tracks are those which show that LeToya knows her strengths.  First single “Not Anymore”, while a straightforward radio ballad, is addictive and raises up the listener as LeToya repeats “I don’t want it anymore… I know my worth and you can keep that drama”.  The audience is exhorted to just sing along and feel empowered as LeToya kicks her boyfriend to the kerb, and even the rote production (a collaboration with Bei Maejor & Ne-Yo, that echoes his own style) serves the song well.  And album closer “Don’t Need You” is a laid-back closer with a beatbox element in the production.  It is another sing-along affair, where LeToya discovers that she is better off on her own.  Happiness doesn’t mean that you need another to be with you all the time.

“Over”, “Matter” and “Regret” (a sexy, laid back track that rewrites Kelly Rowland’s “Ghetto” and improves it tenfold, with a melody and hook that is actually memorable) all represent strong ballads that repeat the same theme, of the wronged girlfriend realising that she is the better one.  The fact that nearly all of the songs on this album cover the same theme does get a tiny bit monotonous, although songs like “I Need A U” and “Love Rollercoaster” are a refreshing change in that they are optimistic.  Generally though, this album is the perfect listen for after a breakup, and it’s practically impossible to imagine that LeToya didn’t write this album in response to her failed relationship with Slim Thug.  All that I can say is that, without wishing more relationship drama on LeToya, she clearly creates her best material when she’s unhappy with love… This album is clearly one of the albums of the year, since it doesn’t try to be dance of any other genre to get more radio play… it is solid R&B, with no weak tracks and stellar vocals.  Even if the themes aren’t too varied, it makes the album cohesive and one that you can listen to from beginning to end without skipping.  The ballads have enough variety in the production not to sound alike, and the hooks are memorable and get stuck in your head after only a couple of listens.  In 2009, music has become so disappointingly bland, false and heartless that every good album is a highlight that we really have to cherish.  I recommend that we all cherish LeToya’s Lady Love, because not enough artists nowadays are making music this strong and consistent.  A fantastic sophomore album.

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Toya’s World

Toya from Toya’s world was not really consistent with her review. Praising the songs while under-rating them going as far as listening to someone’s comment and re-adjusting her 4/5 overall score to 3.5/5. I mean if you believe it’s a 4. Why you gone change it because of some hater. Anyway here is her review

Letoya Luckett returns with her sophomore album, ‘Lady Love’, which will see an official release on August 25th. The project, which leaked as early as yesterday, sees the former Destiny’s Child singer laying down a new chapter in her musical diary. The album boasts a collection of heartfelt ballads, uptempo stompers and infectious anthems that effectively exudes production. At the same , she scratches the surface by exploring new directions with her music, and stepping carefully out of her comfort zone. The 28--old Houston native puts much emphasis into her songs by conceptualising the ups and downs that come with love and being in a relationship, offering an album that’s both thrilling and on time for its audience.

Lady Love: Produced by Ron ‘Neff-U’ Feemster

This bassy uptempo number opened up the album nicely which entails lots of swag over an 80’s-inspired retro beat. Not bad. Rating: 3/5

She Ain’t Got Shit On Me: Produced by Corey Bold & co-written by Letoya Luckett, Andre Merritt & Chris Brown

A woman-scorned tells her cheating fella that his new missus lacks all the things she has; a typical reaction from a hurting female. Toya brings you some of that H-Town swagger on the uptempo highly charged club banger. It consists of a staccato synth opening, electric guitars, heavy drums, maximum bass and more keyboard synths. This direction is the most pop Toya has ever gone and certified to spill all over those dancefloors. The song is with fiery lyrics, chiding vocals and great overall delivery. Plus, it really is a lyrical beatdown. Swing batta batta batta. Catchy. Rating: 3.5/5

Not Anymore: Written by Ne-yo & produced by Beimaejor

The piano-synth midtempo served as the album’s lead single. It emphasises Toya promptly making her point about kicking her disloyal boyfriend to the curb. It has an empowering nature to it with it’s no-nonsense lyrical content and stern vocal tone. One of my female anthems of the summer. Rating: 3.5/5

Lazy:

This bassy number grew on me big time. I didn’t love it at first. I was quite dismissive of the song on first listen but can’t get over how radio-friendly it is. Toya has decided she’s had enough and that her heart has become lazy to love. I am glad I gave this a chance and now I think it’s hot. I just love how the beat builds up. Rating: 3.5/5

Good To Me:

The Prince-inspired percussions in this make it sound like The Dream produced it. I can definetely hear his style in this. Plus I am shocked at how much she is belting on this but then she IS pleading for the guy to treat her right. Also, she is warning him not to try and appease her by offering materialistic gifts. Nice track. Rating: 3.5/5

Over:

This is a gorgeous R&B midtempo ballad with pretty piano melodies. I love everything about it, from the arrangements to the vocals. Toya warns her man that if he ever did the dirty, their relationship would not survive. I want this to be the third or fourth single should she choose one. Rating: 4.5/5

Regret: Produced by Tank and Jerry ‘Texx’ Franklin

Toya gloatingly tells her ex that he’ll regret leaving her. I had an inkling of an idea that the Ludacris-assisted laidback song sounded familiar but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then it dawned on me that Tank went and recycled Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ghetto’. This however has more spunk with its 808 drums in the chorus. Not a favourite of mine but potentially decent. Rating: 3/5

I Need A U:

Pure sex! Who said Janet Jackson is the only one that knows how to churn out a sexy baby makin slow jam with the breathy light vocals? During parts, she belting out in her full vocal register. But then, when the electric guitars kick in midway, that’s the climax. Pure brilliance. Rating: 4/5

Take Away Love:

This track features some verses from artist Estelle. It’s one of those chillback R&B grooves but not one that I care for in particular. It’s about Toya finding herself in a dilemma and trying to find a of getting out of a relationship she’s not happy in. I’m not a fan of Estelle so this did not my case at all. Rating: 2.5/5

After Party:

This track is very much an upbeat R&B party jam. The vocal runs in this remind me of Amerie’s vocal styling but without the grating. The song is very contemporary but also different and shows off a more colourful side to the singer. Rating: 3/5

Drained:

Toya acknowledges taking a relationship for granted and therefore begs for forgiveness. The background synths gives the song that nice pop crossover appeal. Very Danity Kane in its production. Decent. Rating: 3/5

Tears:

I heard the demo to this last year when it was done by Asia Cruise. I loved it then. I love it more now. This is some real throwback R&B. All the true R&B heads will enjoy this one. It’s very laidback and Toya does the song a lot of justice as she emphasises the strong effect a man has on her emotions. Rating: 3.5/5

Matter: Written by Marsha Ambrosius & produced by Warren ‘Oak’ Felder

Since this is a straight up R&B filler with basic instrumentation, I would say that it’s not a song I particularly care for. It’s not a bad song but it sounds like a track that would stay on the album. Rating: 2.5/5

Love Rollercoaster:

This is actually a Mims track which Letoya featured on as the hook singer. They both flow nicely over a generic 90’s R&B beat. Once again, another album cut that is strictly filler. Rating: 2.5/5

Don’t Need You: Produced by Mad Scientist

The anthemic R&B midtempo shines through with its pretty piano melodies, beatbox sounds and light drums. Vocals sound great and once more, she’s singing about leaving behind a dead weight relationship. Hotness. Rating: 3.5/5

Swagger:

The snappy track is the album’s bonus and has Houston twang written all over it. The song references Beyonce’s ‘Upgrade U’ and features Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug and Bun B. I can understand why it’s a bonus track and not a main album cut. It sounds too much like a mixtape song that she is featured on (she doesn’t dominate the song enough). Rating: 2.5/5

Verdict: This was a really solid contemporary R&B album. Whilst it is a lot more commercial than her last album, she didn’t stray too much from her signature style. I’m glad because I might have had a fit if she went towards the electronic/dance pop direction like everybody else. The album really surprised me. More chillingly is how much vocal growth I could hear in these songs. She so stepped it up! My only gripe would be that the subject matter on a lot of the songs were starting to sound very monotonous and the production on some of the songs began to sound too similar. Other than that, this album was very impressive.

Original Rating: 4/5 (re-adjusted to 3.5/5)

Standouts: Lazy, Not Anymore, She Aint Got, Good To Me, Over, Don’t Need You, I Need A U and Tears

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Magazine Now

Houston’s R&B diva Letoya Luckett returns with her adventurous sophomore album Lady Love. Impressively, Luckett stretches her sound with edgy productions in tunes such as “I Need A U” and the title track; though, her theme continues where her debut left off. Instead of dealing with a cheating love, Luckett empowers herself to be the triumphant queen heading out the relationship in “Over” and “Take Away Love” (featuring Estelle). She even taunts her former paramour in the process with “Regrets” with a smack down boasting by Atlanta rapper Ludacris. Do not test the Houston songbird after you hear the chin-checking “She Ain’t Got” because the cutie will handle business bigger than her “Swagga.” Despite all the verge-of-breaking up songs, there’s the light-hearted “After Party” and love-searching “Good To Me” to round out the album.

As a sophomore LP, Luckett delivered an album that commands you attention from beginning to end with themes of love that will suit almost everyone. The misfortune of Lady Love is that the slept-on “Not Anymore” was chosen as the lead-off single.

4/5

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Examiner

LeToya Luckett returns with her brand new albumLady Love and offers an array of songs that will compliment the music lover in everyone.

Following-up with her last effort LeToya that has been certified platinum by the RIAA, Lady Love is sure to be the perfect sophomore album for R&B fans that have been pinning away at receiving music worth pressing play.

The album opens up with the track “Lady Love” that shares it’s name with the album. The beat on the track is fast-pumping and hypnotic allowing the ears to soak up the ever-changing beat all the while witnessing LeToya’s voice float on the track like a light-weight feather. “She Got It” plays on a Pop meets R&B feel while “Lazy” will more than like be one of the ladies anthem for 2009.

The fan favorite “Regret” featuring Ludacris, that seems to follow a similar beat pattern of Gospel duoMary Mary’s song “God In Me”, allows the Houston-native to have a little fun with her voice effortlessly hitting high notes. One of the gems on Lady Love is “Take Away Love” featuring the English-sensationEstelle. The track has a tinge of classic R&B embedded in the melody and has chart-topping potential as a single.”Love Rollercoaster” featuring Mims caps the album off displaying LeToya riding the harmonized beat  going toe-to-toe vocally as rapper Mims keeps up lyrically.

Lady Love embodies the sounds of the present with just a splash of R&B that reigned supreme in the 90’s. The tracks are very diverse playing on not just love but, heartbreak and break-ups. The album shows LeToya’s ability to think out the box and to bring to R&B music something different than the vast majority. Lady Love is an ideal album to add to your R&B collection.

LeToya Luckett’s Lady Love gets 3.5/5.

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You can post reviews you find on the internet in the comments and perhaps add your own as well. LNN review coming soon.