Matter

“Matter” finds LeToya playing the role of the eager other woman, “…you got somebody who just ain’t gone cut it mayne, she don’t do what I do, she on her own thang; I wanna look out for you, do all the things she can’t…”

This record remains true to LeToya’s R&B foundation, her voice resonating with the production.  The vocal arrangements and melodies hit very hard, almost as though they were in a (friendly) competition with the beat.  It would be interesting to sit in on a studio session with LeToya, to have firsthand experience with the process she uses to come up with such vocal conviction.

I hate to keep mentioning LeToya’s confidence, but it’s so appropriate.  She’s clearly in the wrong pursuing a relationship with a man who is already in one, yet she confidently, and aggressively makes her feelings known.  She actually raises many valid points, “I know I’ve crossed the line but boy you let me go, knowing what I know now, I should’ve left it so…if she don’t love you as much as I do, she don’t matter no, don’t matter to me.”

Tell us how you REALLY feel LeToya!!  I’m very impressed with everything this track has to offer vocally, musically and harmonically;  particularly impressing are the soft-fading-out ad-libs LeToya does at the end of the song.  She transitions from singing with soulful fervor on the bridge, to an gradual, and beautiful subtlety as she brings the song to a close.  I’m very impressed with the level of technique and control she exercises on this one.  Another favorite.

Singswell’s rating: 5/5 Single Material

LNN Team average score: 4/5

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Regret

As soon as the beat drops for this song, it’s more than evident that it’s a hit.  The production is undeniably awesome; the vocals are flawless, the lyrics are audacious.  This is REAL R&B, “I made you cool, you wasn’t that dude, until I started FUCKING with you…” Alright now!

There’s that trademark LeToya confidence that we’ve all come to love, on full display.  I am enamored with how unapologetically and convincingly she delivers the vocals; you can tell that while in the studio, she had the “stank” face on as she sang these words so emphatically.  Just when you think the song can’t get any better or go any harder, Ludacris hops on and drops HOT verse.

LeToya and Ludacris on this song give us that 1-2 punch that’s so effective for a knockout.  As a true testament to this song’s hit potential, as of this writing,it has already charted at #51 on the R&B charts without having been officially released and without a video treatment.  If Capitol Records is smart (yall better pray for them) they will shoot a video for this song ASAP and push it hard!

Singswell’s rating: This song is a definite 5/5

LNN team average score: 4.7/5

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Love Rollercoaster

“Love Rollercoaster” is a nice collaborative effort with rapper Mims.  The subject matter deals with an apparently rocky relationship; hustling versus loving.  Mims argues that he loves both LeToya and his music, and further asserts that the music makes it possible for him to take care of LeToya.

Even still the money is obviously not as important as a strong healthy relationship, so LeToya affirms this notion singing, “I’m so tired of playing love roller coaster with you, cuz my heart can’t take this drama you be putting me through…” LeToya’s vocals sound great as usual, and she adds something special to the song.  There were rumors that “Lady Love” would feature a “solo” version of “Love Roller Coaster” that featured only LeToya.  This proved to be false, as this is the same version of the song that appears on Mims’ album.

Still this song is catchy, not one of my favorites but it’s still not the worst song on the album.

Singswell’s rating: 3/5

LNN team: 3.9/5

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Listen to “Matter”, “Regret” and “Love Rollercoaster”: