While on the debut album LeToya let us know she was that “H-town chick” by using H-town Rappers and H-town production to convey that southern confidence (swagger if you will), on “Lady Love” she does no such thing. Instead, she opts to convey that swagger solely through her lyrics and vocal execution. “Lady Love” finds LeToya as “swagger” made flesh; confidence epitomized.

From the opening song all the way to the last, we are taken on a journey through all the ups & downs, and ins & outs of Love. I am actually surprised at some of the various perspectives LeToya takes with this album. Lady Love is a true R&B album with just a sprinkling of pop added for good measure. Lyrically the album is brutally honest and well constructed; vocally LeToya sounds better than she ever has, the growth is astounding; conceptually she thoroughly explores all the different tenets of Love.

The first single “Not Anymore” was not strong enough to be a single at all. A single is a song that is a standalone hit; however, within the context of the album “Not Anymore” fits perfectly. It serves a very specific role; it enables the story to further progress. It acts as a nice bridge that guides you to the more important and more interesting sites.

Thankfully, this album is replete with great material. There really is no need to skip anything. It has been awhile since an album that is capable of playing in its entirety has been on the scene. Initially when I learned that LeToya’s sophomore album would deal extensively with the subject of “love”, I assumed it would be slow and boring. While there are times when LeToya slows it down, it is NEVER boring. As a vocalist, LeToya shines her brightest on mid-tempos and ballads, as all true vocalists do. Songs like “Regret”, “Over”, and “I Need A U” find LeToya in rare form, and showcase some of the finest vocals on the album.

On the up-tempo side, “Lady Love” “Drained” and “After Party” display LeToya’s newfound ability to ad-lib effortless over intricate beats. It takes a certain level of confidence to handle an up-tempo in the proper manner, but as I told you, LeToya is confidence incarnate! Her conviction is astounding throughout this album; particularly impressive on the up-tempos. There are those who would argue that there aren’t “enough” up-tempos on this album but its quality over quantity. While there are only a handful of records classified as “up-tempo” present on Lady Love, they are all stellar. They serve their purpose excellently, and for that, I am content. She even manages to throw in the track “Swagger” as a bonus, which adds one more up-tempo for the dance floors.

The centerpiece of the album is the song “Tears”. The arrangements are reminiscent of the vocal intricacy found on “Full Moon” or “Aaliyah”. The song is a pulsating, intense, sexually charged record that takes the album to the next level. There are varying layers of vocals and harmonies laced throughout, and yet LeToya still manages to make it all cohesive. It would be regrettable if it were not a single in the future.

Overall, this is a very solid album. LeToya has shown exponential growth both vocally and qualitatively. “Lady Love” is a much more mature effort than the debut; it’s appeal is broader than that of “LeToya” as well. Fans will definitely be pleased, but more importantly, those who didn’t give LeToya a chance the first time around, will most assuredly check her out now. The inclusion of the song “Love Roller Coaster” may seem strange to some, but that song accurately sums up the entire “Lady Love” experience, “It goes up and down and around and ’round, it goes up and down, around and ’round and ’round and ’round we go!” Oh but what a journey it is!!

Best album of 2009; easily.

4.8/5

Listen and buy “Lady Love”.