LeToya Luckett is back, more confident, and much more fun with her second album “Lady Love.” After dropping her self-titled debut in 2006, this time around Miss Luckett not only flexes her vocal muscles but does a good job of it—which is more than we can say for a lot of singers these days.
The biggest difference between this album and her last kicks off with the self-assured lead single “Not Anymore.” Unlike the indecisive “Torn” (from her first album) this song makes up its mind from the gate even including an ode to women empowerment and “knowing ones worth.” Penned by none other than Ne-yo (who we all know is pretty much a master at flipping a sappy break-up song and making it sassy. I mean honestly Beyonce’s Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” are the stuff that dreams are made of) is perfect when you’re teetering on the edge of keeping your man in your life, or kicking him to the curb where he belongs.
Another track assisting in Luckett’s bold new expression is the up-tempo “She Ain’t Got.” Despite being a little psychotic in the lyrics, Luckett shows off even more of her confidence with the hook “Who is this chick that you thinks all that? Tryna’ take you away but I ain’t having that. I’mma put my foot down on homegirl’s neck to make her see that, she ain’t got nothing on me.” We all know that a woman sure of herself and her relationship doesn’t really need to be fighting some chick too keep her man….but every once in a while we have a crazy day, so this song gets a lyrical pass for being relatable.
Luckily it’s not all about fighting your man, or leaving your man, or hitting some female with a bat over your man, on. “Lazy,” is a perfect hybrid of both the vulnerability and fear of getting into a new relationship. Other standouts include “Regret,” featuring Ludacris, which can be best paralleled to a slower version of Beyonce’s “Upgrade You.” Now I know, Beyonce and LeToya (and all the rest of Destiny’s Child) are over, so it’s not fare to compare them, but the overall concepts are close.
Aside from a couple missteps like “After Party,” which is just lame (there’s really no other way of putting it) “Lady Love” is solid attempt and has a song for everyday of your “relationship week.” It not only goes through the emotions of an up and down love story, but is original enough to dance to, giving it a few extra points on the R&B scale.
My Picks: ‘Not Anymore’, ‘She Ain’t Got’ & ‘Lazy’….I also like ‘Lady Love’….
Make sure you pick up your copy of Lady Love in stores or online today.
LeToya’s pictures are beautiful ! ! !
her pics are pretty nice
i wish her well on her album sells
=]
GREAT REVIEW Latifah, I always like your reviews (& J.Dakars). This album was better than I expected and Letoya is exuding confidence and positivity! Great buy.
JUST GOT HER ALBUM TODAY STILL LISTENING TO IT SO FAR IT’S HOT.
I already have my copy of the album…I picked it up at 9:30am this morning! And I LOVE IT!!!!! Do yourself a favor,— go and pick up Lady Love!
This album was better than I expected!! I’m soooo proud of her, very good look! Definitely worth buying (Don’t do bootleg)…hers and Keri were definitely two good R&B CD’s for this year….H-Town in the building by the way!!!!
I will actually be purchasing! I love “regret”
LAZY IS A REAL LADIES ANTHEM
and tears is wonderful
Just got my copy. The album is great! She has a few album fillers but def a classic and step up from her last album. It actually has a true classic R&B vibe with great vocals. Its great, def worth a buy
I love that she is back in the game! Definetely supporting. Do it Toya!
Worth a listen
Just be GOOOOOOOOOD To Meeeeeeeeeeee
This track shooot way up my ranking after her belting after the bridge. QUALITY vocals on that I love the feel of this track.
The whole Album is easy on the ear…
Lady Love: Great 80’s vibe to bump ya head to.. Love the intro to the song 4/5
She Aint Got: Super crossover track which could work very well in europe and globally more so than USA. Great energy! 4/5
Not Anymore: I actually wondered why this was a single at 1st but all the catchy parts of the song made it grow on me and I appreciated the meaning of the song but not my 1st single choice. 3/5
Lazy: Out of the 1st batch of songs from the Lady Love era this one really impressed me and i was dying for it to be a single as I thought that this has a perfect blend of R&B with a Pop edge. Style of wording and strong vocals make this one of my top songs = 4.75/5
Good To Me: This suits LeToya’s voice soo well the arrangement with that “prince & dream” sound. The vocals after the bridge just made my head stand up & say DAMN!!!! LeToya has come far with full voice stamina vocals and is on full display. 5/5(vocals made this mark)
Over: Silky smooth R&B song telling it as it is if Mr. Man messes up real BAD. Very strong album track = 4.5/5
Regret: Hip-Hop/R&B fusion of Excellence as i love the attitude that L.Luck is bringing to this track. Ludacris fits this soooooooo well & brings out a hot verse. For Regretful ones, this is a punch in the face for ya’ll who “still tryin to get back” lol = 4.75/5
I Need A U: Sensual, sexual, sexy, tingling, soothing, smooth, satisfying, deep, yearning, steamy, fulfilling. This is not only to describe the song, but to also compliment how GREAT LeToya’s voice sits on the song YUMMY DESSERT. 5/5
Take Away Love: Love the mood of the beat as another old school 80/90’s soul vibe with that hint of bluesy/jazz. UK’s own Estelle adds her Hip-Hop swagger on the track as well as giving Lady Elle some good advice. ‘Toya sings so smoothy in her comfort zone and just sounds in her element showing off her range in a relaxed manner. Very cool album track = 4.5/5
After Party: Hot vibes and feel good track to jam to. 3.75/5
Drained: Commercial friendly track which compliments the albums direction. It also treats the newer pop fans with this type of song and gives a more verstaile side of LeToya in a different way to the standard R&B. 3.5/5
Tears: BIG!! LeToya took this track up to different levels with the harmonies, vocal arrangements and takes this way past the Asia Cruise version.
Vocals are very much settled to effectively shine on the song and nothing is overdone which makes this a Hot R&B track which just flows to pleasure us fans. 5/5
Matter: LeToya blended her writing skills very well with Marsha Ambrosius on this songs. Silky smooth R&B album filler with pretty vocals and runs. 4/5
Love Rollercoaster: Cool Mims track with Toy adding her sweetness and swagger onto the track..
No sure y its on the album but the more the better lol. 3.5/5
Dont Need U: Strong pop/rnb song with big vocals and a display being strong willed. 4.5/5
Swagger: Love when LeToya does some H-Town hip hop styled tracks and still loving this track. Lady Love season started with this buzz track. “it’s the T-O-Y-A everybody knows”. 4/5
GROWTH IS SUPER & VOCALLY WAY ABOVE 1ST ALBUM THIS IS A HOT & SOLID Album & Worth It..
Great Album!!!
loving to album!! she came strong and fierce!
I bought the album and it is dope.
I LUV KETOYA, I STILL BELEIVE SHE WAS KICKED OUT OF DC CUZ SHE IS PRETTIER THAN BEY & POSED A THREAT!! I WILL COPP THAT 2 DAY!
I can’t wait to buy this album. After hearing many of the songs on the album, it is sounds like a HOT one. I love Letoya and wish her much success on this project. I’m mad it is not getting much promotion. She has stepped it up vocally as well.
That was a great review. Your writing skills are awesome. I may even get the CD.
I bought my copy this morning and i LOVE it. The other comments are correct by saying its a lot better than you would expect. But i am a dedicated Letoya fan and she has defintely matured on this album. I hope she sells. Go pick it up yall its really good.
Luv Luv Luv the CD, I am proud of her. Out of all the Desitny girls, she is doing her own thing with the music and her look. I”m proud of you. I bought two copies.
Good Luck Toya!!
Good Album!!! B+
Pleasantly surprised by this one. I thought this would be more pop but it fits really well in the R&B pocket. I can appreciate that she chose not to hide behind the prodcution and make her voice the focus of this album. Two stand-out tracks that aren’t singles are “Over ” & “Tears”. “Afterparty,” &”Drained,” seem unnecessary. “Good To Me” may have to grow on me though. Overall it’s a solid album.
I tried to order the CD on Bestbuy’s website, but it’s listed as “backordered”, I hope that is a good sign.
So, I downloaded it from itunes, and got an extra song. I wanted to have the physical copy deliverered to my house. I guess I’ll have to go out and get one from the store now.. lol
As for my review of the album. I listened to the whole thing. WOW… WOW… WOW… WAYYYY better than I thought it would be. I liked her last album, but this album is much better. She is indeed more confident, and it shows in her vocals for sure.
Toya is really telling different stories of love and pain on this album. REAL R&B. Go GET THIS ALBUM!!!!
‘Toya, do your thaaang!!!
Great R & B Album! She takes me to another level with her vocal style and maturity! I am hopeful she sells more than expected in her 1st week.
Bought it today at Target… $9.98 you can’t beat that!
Wish you much success Toya!!!
I think its a great album, its sad because people will sleep on it because its not what their use to from a real R&B artist. I really hope LaToya does well!!!
No.12 TJ lol at swaggaJackin my review lol but its all good..
V. Good Album and definately a hot R&B album..
It’s good to see great R&B coming back like Ginuwine’s album & Now This Lady Love
This is a big step up from debut album which was cool back in 06 reppin her H-Town..
Loving Obvious, This Song . No More, So Special All Eyez & Gangsta Grillz.
Singing much more purely this time with less accent twag in her voice. Belting is on point.
I find it funny how Not Anymore is not even in my top five on this album but hopefully they recover from that and get Regret & mayb Lazy as next couple singles.
Good To Me, Regret, Tears, Lazy, Over I Need A U & Lady Love My Top fav’s but album very well put together
I will be picking this up!!! Letoya’s last CD with Torn was nice. I like this one even more with the tracks I’ve heard so far. We support you TOYA!!!!
nobody is checking for this insecure chick she got lucky with her first album nobody cares anymore
defo not getting this album…
She looks beautiful in her pictures and I’m glad she released a new album nice to her someone different.
Left it on the shelf.
People have the tendency to overlook LeToya’s music because everyone is too busy paying attention to that other member of the now defunct girl group Destiny’s Child (what’s her name… Beyonce, I think hehe). Her first album was a solid effort and a good introduction to what she is capable of, even if all the songs weren’t great. Now, with some more experience under her belt Letoya doesn’t fall victim to the sophomore slump. Yeah, there are 15 tracks, but it’s not about quantity over quality. The production values are great, and LeToya’s singing ability has definitely grown over time. Whether she’s showin’ her “hood” side on tracks like “She ain’t got” or tellin her lover what it is she needs on slow jams like “Good to me”, the album shines. Every hip hop and R&B enthusiast is sure to find something they like on this album. It’s doesn’t hurt that she’s such a pretty girl, too. Give this album a chance and you won’t regret it!
Just got my 2 copies from WalMart. Listening to the album right now. LeToya has so much more confidence in this album. I love it! My favorites are Lazy, Regret, and Tears. Overall, I love the album. Go pick it up if you haven’t.
I’m proud of LeToya holdin her own, I love her music. I will be getting my copy today. 4 all the DC haterz she will always be a part of the original group. She has moved on past all that drama & so have the other girls. Stop being so negative. Follow that H-town chic LeToya on twitter @letoyaluckett. Follow me @DymeDiva84 ya dig
Great Album!!!! Do it Letoya!!!
I NEED to go to the music store later on this evening bc I am really lovin these songs by Letoya that Ive hear soo far (((I need A u))) is on Repeat at the moment on my computer,,,, man this is my JAMMM ….. I normally dont buys CD”S be today she will be the exception
she is so BEAUTYFULLLLLLLLLLL
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When I get the money, and time, I will be buying Lady Love. =]
THIS IS ALBUM IS BANANAS!!!! I love it from start to finish. Me and my homeboy had a listening party late last night at the crib. It was very good and she has grown alot. I love the song with Estelle and Luda. GOODLUCK LETOYA!!!!
I l really enjoy the cd but am i the only one who doesn’t see the parallels between “Regret” and beyonce’s “Upgrade U?” The reviewer said they are very similar.. I don’t know how the hell one would think the they are alike… in terms of sound and theme.
my songs are
over
i need u
regret
take love away
matter
tears
i think i might just burn those on a mixed cd. lol
THe CD is amazing ,a big step up from her first album. I liked how she did a little bit of experimentation(lady love, she aint got) but still kept it R&B.
“Lady Love”? Very interesting title. I wonder if she is subliminally speaking about l*sbianism? I see that she has the egg-shaped earrings on in honor of the love goddess Ishtar and she has her arms crossed in honor of the god Osiris and her spiritual transformation. I’m guessing based on all that, that “Lady Love” will be her “alter-ego” (the name of her demon) like “Sasha Fierce”.
#43..
They are similar in lyrical content, basically of how they splurge on their man..
LeToya talk’s about when he was with her she was icing his wrist, giving him swag, buying him a car and such. Kinda like the things Bey mentioned in her song.
The photos of LeToya of FAB!
i adore this album…better than the first!
Listening to it on itunes right now…
Still torn about it. She stepped it up. Songs are catchy….
I dunno…she just screaming a lil too much song after song. Like even on slow songs, her voice is ready to fight somebody….
Strange coz she was always soft with it. It needs a balance. Scream on some, whisper on smooth tracks.
Dunno still like it though. Lots of good tracks. A rarity in todays game even with big artists.
Okay!
I will buy the album. I think so far this year, this is the best put together album from a female artist in “R&B/Pop” It flows. Concept-wise, sonically. It’s well put together.
I am shocked!
her pictures look really nice
It deserves a listen on Itunes
@nicholas ryan
I don’t get the comparison either.
ALBUM
SLAYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Wanna hear R&B in the truest form???? Pick up your copy today!!!!!
GET IT TOYA!!
Toya love u MA! DO ya thing!!
All I gotta say is AALIYAH should have been in the background….none of these singers are touchn my girl…lets represent the time music was real and original.
i am listening to lady love right now!!! i had to go support letoya and cop this cd. my faves are not anymore, tears, i need a u, lazy, dont need u, and regret.
Well, its a pretty good album, but with the lack of promotion, I’m sure first week sales will suck. They’re too busy promoting Whitney.
*funny, “regret” just came on the radio and its pretty much my favorite song on the album, better be next single.
@ tj- hmm, Asia cruise’s “tears” shits all over letoya’s vocally. Asia is beast.