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.

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“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.

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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.

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“Tears”

“What are you doing?! How did we get here?! What is this feeling!? Tell me it’s mine…!” YES! “Tears” is by far the BEST “baby maker” on the album! “I Need A U” while exceptionally done, is like foreplay compared to “Tears” which is UNDENIABLY the main event!

LeToya is experiencing such a blissful moment of ecstasy that she has apparently lost all sense of her surroundings. The music, the melodies, the lyrics, the background vocals, the harmonies, and the lead vocals are all teaming with a sensuality that is orgasmic in nature. The music/production of this song meets the writing/vocals seamlessly; this song palpitates and emanates in such a fervid manner, that it’s almost unbearable. You may even find yourself inattentively panting as you listen to this record.

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This track is another example of a great “riding in the car” type of song.  The production is very smooth and LeToya’s vocals and lyrics complement the track really well.  Estelle sings the background vocals on this song and offers a rap toward the end of it.  This song opens with a dialogue between LeToya and Estelle, which sets the tone of the record.  Apparently LeToya is in a relationship with a guy who she is trying to let down easily.  He is desperately clinging to a relationship that is clearly over. LeToya is trying spare his feelings, but instead she is forced to completely remove her love, in order for him to get the point.

I can appreciate her trying to let him down softly, but as often is the case (as in this case for example) some people just can’t take the hint; “You want this love, I can’t give ya, no between the sheets boy I made this bed; try as you may I ain’t trippin’ sex is over I’d rather sleep, instead….boy I got to go.” The song makes it clear that LeToya has stepped her ad-lib game way up.  The ad-libs on this song are very soulful, and at one point she even gives us a Fantasia-like growl. You better sang girl!

Singswell’s rating: I give this a 4/5

LNN Team’s rating: 3.5/5

Preview “Take Away Love”:  

Also a personal favorite of mine, it is another of the more pop-friendly records. The production is once again A+, several different elements are built into the track that enhance the harmonies and melodies. LeToya brings her A game with the vocals to this track, ad-libs are tight, melodies are infectious, lyrics are honest. Everything you could ask for and more in an uptempo are present.

My favorite thing about this song is the amount honesty and vulnerability in the lyrics. The perspective from which LeToya originates on this song, is that of the guilty party in the relationship; “did some things I know that I’m gone regret, caused you pain since the day we met, now you barely got anything left, cause I was draining your love…no it ain’t easy to just forget, it’s not your fault baby you were the best…I was just draining your love.” WOW! There aren’t many songs in existance that are this honest and apologetic, “You used to try to save us, I was the one who played us, I was the one who made us, fall apart…”

Even though this song is very uptempo it is also very somber. There is pain in the delivery of the vocals on this record. It makes for an awkwardly satisfying experience; on the one hand you find yourself rocking to the beat, yet as you listen to LeToya pour her heart out, you are overcome with sadness. It’s bittersweet. This is track #11, and usually at this point a CD begins to slow down (quality wise, this is where album filler is inserted) and get dull; not with “Lady Love.” This album is screaming classic at this point…

Singswell’s rating: I give this song an emphatic 5/5, single material!

LNN team’s rating: 4.7/5

Listen to “Drained”:  

Full song on LeToya’s myspace page

This song opens to entrancing music, soft but well executed ad-libs, and oh so seductive whispers. Vocally LeToya is at her finest, her pristine tone on full display even while she’s singing ever so softly. This is another favorite of mine, I’m especially in love with the melodies on the verses and the ad-libs; the lyrics reveal a side of LeToya that is both vulnerable and yearning, “when I’m lying all alone in my room, tossing, turning don’t know what to do…I need a you…I want somebody to come ease this pain, baby please tell me your name…I need a you.” Conceptually this is sung from the perspective of a woman who is lonely and seeking the comfort and intimacy of a special guy. The problem is that she doesn’t know who this guy is; the mystery man has yet to appear in her life, and subsequently this song is dedicated to “whoever you are, wherever you are.” As the song progresses, it’s steadily pulsating, and building towards a climatic conclusion.

When we arrive at the bridge, the oh-so-sexy electric guitars kick in, adding a new dimension to the music and sensuality of this record. “I Need A U” is an excellent example of how to make a song sexy and seductive without being raunchy. This song stays on repeat.

Singswell’s rating: I give this one 5/5, single material!

LNN Team: 4.9/5

Preview “I Need A U”: 

After Party

This song has a serious bass-line, that really makes it JAM! As soon as the track starts, you find yourself moving your head, and getting into the groove. The production on this song is phenomenal, and I can see this heating up dance-floors across the world. This is a pop-tinged R&B record done very well. Another personal favorite (I have a lot of favorites on this album, which speaks volumes about the collective high quality of “Lady Love”) that stays on repeat.

Conceptually this song is cleverly constructed; replete with metaphors and analogies throughout. LeToya likens the end of a relationship to the end of a party; she sings, “…It’s my last dance with you, when the party’s over there’s an after party, and there will be an after you, there is an after you, to the after party…keep it moving to the after party!!!”

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“Lazy” is one of the more pop-friendly R&B records on the album. On this song, LeToya is lamenting the emotionally draining process of loving someone. She sings about her heart being “lazy” and not being up for the effort required to enter into and maintain a good relationship. One can respect the honesty of this song; she thoroughly anticipates and refutes the objections being raised about her opting out of the love game; there is no convincing her otherwise. She makes it abundantly clear with both the lyrics and vocal delivery that she is truly not interested in love at the moment. I’m sure a lot of people will be able to relate to this song. At some point or another we’ve all come to the conclusion that we simply can’t be bothered with love.

Singswell’s rating: 3.5/5
LNN team’s average score: 4.5/5

“Over” is one of my personal favorites from this album.  As soon as the track starts we hear LeToya in the background very faintly and distantly singing “Oooooooooveeerrrr…” introducing you to the enchanting quality that is inherent to this song.  The music has a powerful subtlety that is perfect for the conversational tone of the vocals and lyrics.  In a very uncompromising way, LeToya makes it clear that if her man steps too far out of line she will NOT hesitate to end the relationship; on the bridge she sings, “I’ll put up with a lot, I’ma give it all I got cuz hard times only make us closer…Gonna play the fool I’m NOT; before you go too far just stop; cuz I promise that it’ll be over…”

LeToya really takes her time with the vocals on this song, ensuring that every warning, and every word, is emphatically delivered.  The most ingenious thing about this song conceptually, is the fact that it’s sung from a hypothetical perspective; Her man hasn’t even done anything wrong, yet LeToya is being upfront about the consequences for his actions before he can even THINK of cheating! Were this an average song, it would only address the cheating partner after the fact.

This is pure R&B at it’s finest, no question about it!! Over’ is definitely single-worthy.

I give this song a 5/5

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