“Don’t Need U”

This song is very catchy,and also very poppy.  On this record LeToya details the last stages of getting over a failed relationship, “…And baby I stayed with you so long that I lost myself, now who would’ve thought that someone so independent, become [darn] submissive…” She even reveals that she sometimes misses her ex, however she is convinced that she will get through it, because she no longer requires his presence, “So I’ll stare at your picture for the last time, to ease my mind; this time I won’t even break down and cry…”

This song has the message, and overall feeling that is inherent to an anthem.  It has that reverberating and empowering chant “don’t need you, don’t need you, don’t need you, don’t need you no more” that is sure to remain lodged in your head.  The vocals are as effortless and well executed as ever, with the ad-libs being consistently well done.

This song makes me somewhat sad, because I know that once it comes on, I’m very near the end of the album.

Singswell”s rating: I give this a 4/5

LNN team: 4.5/5

Listen and buy “Don’t Need You”:  

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“She Ain’t Got”

The first time I heard this song, it was un-mastered and my initial reaction was that this song was far too poppy for my tastes.  Eventually I was able to hear the mastered version, and hearing it in a much higher/finalized quality changed my mind about this record.

This is definitely a different/risky song for LeToya in more ways than one.  I applaud her for stepping out of her comfort zone to do this record; the production and the chorus have pop smash written all over them.  So when I learned that this would be released as the 2nd single I was actually surprised, yet excited.

The song is pretty well written, “Must don’t wanna leave cuz you ain’t gone, you’re a puppy on a leash time to come back home; I done let you out to play but you ain’t playin’ fair, you done met this little stray bringing flees ’round here…” and the ‘swing batta batta batta’ is definitely catchy.  Overall this is a great song, however because it is such a departure for LeToya, and because it reachs out to a broader audience, a different approach must be taken to promote this record.  Sadly Capitol Records either was unaware of this fact, or they simply didn’t care.

While it has received some spins, at press time this song still hasn’t taken off the way we all thought it would’ve/should’ve.  It’s too bad because it is a great record, much better than a lot of the current music. This too belong on a “workout” play-list.

Singswell’s rating: I give this a 4/5

LNN Team: 4.3/5

Listen and Buy “She Ain’t Got”:

Watch the “She Ain’t Got” Video

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“Swagger”

I’m so tired of the term “swagger” in all its various forms (swag for instance), but I don’t mind it here.  This song was leaked to the internet in 2007, and at one point it was even rumored to be a first single for the “Lady Love” project.  This song represents for the hip-hop/h-town loving crowd, who may have been fearful that LeToya had completely abandoned her “H-town Chick” signature sound.

It features Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, and Bun B; LeToya proves on this track that she can hang with all the boys.  She doesn’t rap on the song (obviously) but her singing is almost like a freestyle.  Her “swagger” was in full effect on the song, “I’m back at it been gone for a minute, busy galleria shopping and runnin’ my own business; had to shake a couple haters, haters thought I was finished; they say time is money so I’m stacking every minute…”

At one point LeToya even shouts out her former friend and bandmate Beyoncé, which is fitting since Beyoncé and LeToya are the only members, past and present, of Destiny’s Child with any type of “swagger.”  The production on the song is stellar, and the beat makes it a great addition to any “workout” play-list.  This joint sounds especially nice in the car.

Singswell’s rating: 4.5/5

LNN Team: 4.5/5

Listen and buy “Swagger”:  

Album comprehensive review coming in a few.