Last week, Jessie Ware dropped her second album, “Tough Love,” in the United States. “Tough Love” is her second album, and the follow up to 2012’s “Devotion,” which received extremely high critical acclaim.
Ware follows in the R&B style of “Devotion” with “Tough Love”, though to slightly less spectacular results. While there are moments where “Tough Love” shines, the album is altogether not quite as dynamic as “Devotion.” “Tough Love” falls flat midway through the album as the songs start to blend together. Ware seems to get comfortable with her brand of R&B and pop, but that’s not to say that the album doesn’t recover, or that it does not start out well.
The first song on the album, the titular “Tough Love,” was also the first EP released in July. It easily captures Ware’ style with it atmospheric instrumentation and Ware’s voice crooning over the top of subtle rhythms.
However, the album gains its momentum with songs like “You and I (Forever)” and “Cruel.”
The groove that surged through “Devotion” appears again and gives the album life, as do the blues rhythms of “Say You Love Me.” Co-written with fellow-Brit Ed Sheeran, Ware’s soulful voice shines both when singing alone and when layered with harmonies. As she sings, “I don’t wanna fall in love/but you don’t even want to try,” every ounce of soul in her voice becomes apparent, expressing both strength and fragility. The song is also one of the most lyrically strong of the album.
Ware kicks the dance beats into another gear with “Want Your Feeling.” Adding seventies/disco influences with both the beat and the harmonies, the song infuses energy into the album.
However, Ware takes “Tough Love” in another direction with “Pieces,” as she belts “I had to shatter to pieces/you made me reveal myself” over strings, sounding reminiscent of contemporary Emeli Sandé. Ware continues the album’s energy with “Keep On Lying,” but her momentum begins to falter with “Champagne Kisses.” She finishes the album with “Desire,” which starts out slow but builds as Ware sings “take me as I am/don’t want to be left alone,” repeating her themes of love and longing.
While “Tough Love” has its moments where it seems to falter, it is still altogether a very strong album, showcasing both Ware’s songwriting and vocal talents. The sophomore slump was something that Ware deftly avoided. Her style is even more developed with this album, though it does to rely a little too much on what Ware and her producers know will work.
It’s an album that takes a little while to digest and appreciate; not an album that grabs the listener right off the bat, though some songs will. It will probably take a few listens with some good headphones before appreciation and realization start to set in. And it is certainly more elegant and subtle than many contemporary albums being released.
