Resurrected Music: Jessie Ware - "Tough Love"

Jessie Ware sleighed me on Nicki Minaj's "The Crying Game" so I delved a little deeper and realized her sophomore effort, "Tough Love" hadn't made it onto my radar and therefore missed a review. This album is so peaceful like listening to a seashell. I could most definitely listen to the waves of her vocal ocean all day long. This is truly therapeutic.

Check out this track-by-track review of "Tough Love":

1. "Tough Love"
When your heart becomes a million pieces...if that isn't the very definition of "tough love"! The title track is serene and beautiful as Jessie speaks directly to her interest of choice, explaining her wants, needs, and the realities of love. Amen sister.

2. "You & I (Forever)"
Nothing but drums and guitar licks. I love a simple instrumental if you have the vocal savvy to carry it. Although it's a nice and relaxing song she doesn't do anything spectacular.

3. "Cruel"

This song, though just as mellow as the first too tracks, is laced with a sense of urgency that grabs your attention almost immediately. The claps and the drums are irresistible and her lyrics pack a punch as well. "Never knew our love could be so cruel/It's not just what you say, it's what you do

4. "Say You Love Me"

I was waiting for Jessie to give me alllllll the vocals and she did. YES! And then she through in that choir a la Mariah Carey. Sleigh.

5. "Sweetest Song"
Can you hear it?/I could hear your song forever/You're the sweetest, sweetest song/I could hear your song forever

6. "Kind of…Sometimes…Maybe"
The reality of missing someone when you really don't want to admit it. That feeling is the pits. Miguel with the whispery cameo though...

7. "Want Your Feeling"
This has an old school feel yet it sounds like it was ripped straight from the book of "Blood Oranges", and rightfully so given that Devonté Hynes had a hand in writing this track. The 'Saturday Night Fever' tease is real...

8. "Pieces"
I had to shatter to pieces/You made me reveal myself, reveal myself/Now that you no longer need them/Then give them to someone else Girl...I just...

Without a doubt my favorite song thus far...

9. "Keep on Lying"
Slightly uptempo, which is a welcomed changed. She compares her situation to heaven in hell while crooning Keep on lying to me/Keep on lying to me darling

10. "Champagne Kisses"
In this song, Jessie is absolutely crazy about a guy for whatever reason and she wants him to keep doing all the things that he is doing to make her love him. Whose fault is this that I'm crazy about you?

11. "Desire"
Take me as I am/Take me as I am/I don't want to be alone She better give me VOCALS. The falsetto she is giving is so beautiful. I get that everyone isn't a power singer. Jessie, for sure, knows her voice, how to use and control it. PERFECT ending.

This album is very slow and, detest though I may that concept, it actually works for her. I don't feel sleepy or annoyed. It's just an all around pretty album. Very acoustic. The most cohesive album I've heard in a while. Nothing spectacular. Nothing to write home about. Just pretty. Dassit. But that's okay if that's what Jessie Ware was going for. I'll definitely add it to my musical rotation.

Natasha Marie
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