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”:  

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

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”: 

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!!!”

(continue reading…)

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!!!”

(continue reading…)