Jessie Ware – Tough Love
4/5
British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware has harnessed her powerful vocal talents and unleashed them in her sophomore album Tough Love. Infusing together R&B, pop and electronic, Ware’s musical style is the missing piece in the music world.
She credits the success of her album to the handful of star-studded collaborators, such as Miguel and Ed Sheeran to name a few.
The title track “Tough Love“ opens up the album with Ware’s soft, yet dynamic vocals serenading amongst a spacious dub track. Giving beautiful another name, “Tough Love” is a hauntingly soulful track that leaves the listener with a contrastingly dark and warm feeling.
“You and I (Forever)” is a soul-pop track that was co-written with Miguel, and it shows; standard love lyrics and catchy pop hooks are the building blocks for the second song. With a little more step in her voice, Cruel is a similar sounding track, with a sweet combination of pop and R&B.
The grace that is Jessie Ware’s voice is channelled exquisitely in the song “Say You Love Me“, which was co-written by Ed Sheeran. The swaying melody, and the honest and meaningful love lyrics are unmistakable characteristics of Sheeran, but Ware does more than enough to make it her own.
Seductive and alluring, “Kind of…Sometimes…Maybe…“ is a playful track that brings a live a late 90s R&B style with a contemporary flare with electronic instrumentation. The choruses of “ooh ooh” are enough to make anyone fall in love with her voice.
One of the last singles to be shared in advance of the release, “Pieces“ is a dramatic and powerful music performance from Jessie Ware, demonstrating her dynamic range through serene verses and booming choruses.
Bringing the album to a close, “Desire” plays it cool with a slow and hypnotic dub track, and gifting the listener with two Jessie Wares through the magic of audio production.
Listen to the full album via Youtube.
Buy the album here.
