Toni Braxton & Babyface / Love, Marriage & Divorce
The name of the album sums it up rather succinctly. This is a collection of music created to singularly reflect the trials and tribulations of a relationship, particularly its aftermath. The pairing of singer-songwriter-producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and eight-time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton couldn’t have been more fitting for the album considering they have had their fair share of marriages and divorces between them. While Love, Marriage & Divorce can be considered a comeback record for both artists, what’s more thrilling is the fact that, for Braxton, this is her official return since she announced her retirement from music early last year.
The first single, piano ballad Hurt You, nicely sets the tone of the album with Babyface crooning in the opening verse: “Here we go again/Loving you has caused me so much pain/But you don’t see it, you never see it” followed by Braxton’s response: “So why apologise/I was just doing what I had to do, baby/An eye for an eye.” Then the duo switches to a regretful mode, singing in unison: “God knows I never meant to hurt you.”
Sweat is a sensual jam with a not-so-subtle message about make-up sex (“So if you really wanna fight, we can take it to the bed tonight”), while Roller Coaster brilliantly portrays a love-hate relationship between confused lovers (“But I need you, can’t stand you/I don’t want you, but damn you/Back and forth, and back/What should we do?”).
Then there are solo numbers arranged in a playful sequence, starting with Babyface’s well-wishing I Hope That You’re Okay which Braxton basically shrugs off on I Wish, singing “I hope she gives you a disease/So that you will see … Not enough to make you die, but only make you cry/Like you did to me.” Similarly, I’d Rather Be Broke finds Braxton still in a spiteful state of mind, saying how she’d rather walk away than to wait “on your dime/and get lovin’ half the time”.
Bringing the whole thing full circle, the two finally reunite on the mournful closing track, The D Word, where they both find it hard to move on from the relationship they were once in.
Love, Marriage & Divorce may not necessarily reinvent the wheel, but it’s a proof that both R&B veterans are still on top of their game even after two decades in the business. The chemistry here is more than tangible, thanks to Babyface and Braxton’s enduring friendship forged early on in both of their careers. What’s more, there’s enough groove and sass to counterbalance the sentimental and nostalgic, and for a concept album that focuses heavily on the dissolution of a relationship, this is a clever and well thought-out move.
THE PLAYLIST
Stoondio/ Sam Kan (Once)
Last year, we got to welcome the arrival of bedroom musician Chotika “Toon” Kamwongpin, who later released her debut album under the moniker Stoondio. Now she’s sharing with us a new song called Sam Kan (Once), which will supposedly (and hopefully) be included on her next album. As with her previous material, it’s a smooth, simple pop jam wrapped around earnest songwriting about being in a healthy, understanding relationship (“If we’re both still here tomorrow/Respect will help save the days and we’ll be here forever”).
George Michael/ Let Her Down Easy
It’s been a decade since George Michael’s previous record, Patience, but this year he’s set to break the silence with the release of his sixth studio album, named after his recent tour, Symphonica. The first single, Let Her Down Easy, is a cover of Terence Trent D’Arby’s 1993 hit of the same name, and Michael delivers a faithful rendition (well, the two artists already sound alike to begin with). Due out next month, the new album is said to feature studio versions of songs performed during the aforementioned tour as well as original material and more covers.
Lily Allen/ Air Balloon
After giving us Hard Out There a few months ago, the English songstress continues to keep her fans satisfied with a follow-up single, Air Balloon. Co-written by Shellback (One Direction, Taylor Swift), the song is much less daring than her first cut, albeit brimming with irresistible summery bounciness and a slice of escapism. “Come meet me in the sky/I’ll be waiting for you/And we can’t hear what they say/Up in my air balloon” she sings over the playful, finger-snapping beat. While it’s not officially confirmed, it looks like Air Balloon will appear on Allen’s yet-to-be-named third album.
will.i.am (featuring Miley Cyrus, French Montana and Wiz Khalifa)/ Feelin’ Myself
With guest spots on French Montana’s Ain’t Worried About Nothin’, Mike WiLL Made It's 23 and will.i.am’s Feelin’ Myself, it’s clear that the former Disney star is desperately trying to prove her MC skills — among other things. Here, Miley Cyrus teams up with Wiz Khalifa and French Montana to deliver a catchy club anthem as part of will.i.am’s re-release of his 2013 album, #willpower. And as you can probably guess, Cyrus still raps about the same old antics she’s been touching upon of late (“poppin’ molly” and getting “on the floor just to make that booty twerk”).
Adult Jazz/ Am Gone
If you’re looking for a slightly quirky new band to get into, Leeds-based outfit Adult Jazz might very well be it. Having been compared to Dirty Projectors and James Blake, the quartet creates an unpredictable piece of music with blues and jazz influences laced with seemingly aimless melodies. Then all of a sudden, the song morphs into a consistent, wonderfully textured jam with a fantastic guitar work to match whereas the elements of surprise are kept intact throughout. Frankly, we haven’t been this excited about a band in a long while. n
