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The soft flutters and twinkling synths of Devotion, the title track from Jessie Ware's debut album were the perfect introduction to an album that was one of 2012’s finest collections, an album packed with charm, passion and Ware’s soulful, classy tones. Her sophomore album Tough Love opens in a similar fashion with the haunting arrangement of its own title track. The question is, has she managed to match or exceed the expectations of her fans? Does Tough Love continue perfection? In a commercial landscape littered with so much crap, Jessie Ware is a Goddess, perhaps even a saviour of contemporary pop music. Her debut album came along at a time when pop music had become more predictable than ever and the charts had become less about quality and more about brands churning out continuous money making singles with lazy lyrics and overused producers.
She may not be a producer herself but her ear for a melody and a heady synth arrangement is mesmerising. Tough Love has made clear sonic and vocal progress from her days on Devotion. Ware stated in an interview that she tried different ‘things’ with her voice on this album and it’s apparent from the incredible title track and its unexpected falsetto and the likes of Say You Love Me; Co-written by Ed Sheeran, this is Ware at her most exposed, most emotive and there are moments where her voice is startling. Then you have the echoing riff of Miguel collaboration You & I (Forever); its simple chorus is complemented by understated vocal delivery and gorgeous background harmonies and listen out for the sumptuous vocal riffs in the middle eight which are my album highlight. Then there's the awesome Cruel, an Okumu (co-writer of Devotion) and Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Little Boots, Haim) production with a killer chorus, synth beats and string arrangement.
Vocal layering makes itself more audible on this album and at times its incredible. The layers on Keep On Lying and Desire are stunning and the former is melodious genius with echoes of classic R&B. Her ear for a solid chorus is obvious on Want Your Feeling, simple yet quirky enough to be one of the album's most memorable moments.
The album oozes a sultriness, a seductive tone that she never seemed confident enough to exploit on her debut. Kind of... Sometimes... Maybe is a thick beat slow jam, one of Tough Love's finest moments and her vocals flow smoothly over the deconstructed arrangement with ease. Sweetest Song is an R&B/funk infused number that almost threatens to disco a la Imagine It Was Us. Then there's the wonderfully eccentric Champagne Kisses, echoing Prince and 80s flavour and euphoric falsetto vocals that trump even those that surprised us on the lead single.
Tough Love isn't perfect. Yes it's unlike anything else around at the moment because Jessie Ware is unlike any of the artists populating the Radio 1 Playlist. As gorgeous as the likes of Say You Love Me and Pieces are, they just feel too straightforward for an artist like her. They cast aside the unexpected arrangements of her debut for simple, paint by numbers pop. Where tracks like Still Love Me and Swan Song were pleasant surprises, these new tracks just feel predictable. They'll serve as her biggest hits no doubt, due to their accessibility, however it's a shame that the more quirky moments won't get the same recognition.
Tough Love is a bloody romantic album. Whether it's glorious head spinning love or chest ripping heartbreak, the album is overflowing with sentiment. At its best it's incredible, perfect even and at its worst it's still beautiful. The R&B vibes of some tracks give the album a more commercial feel than its predecessor, something that is both complimentary and detrimental to the whole experience. It's not an instant love affair for me, but I'm getting there and I'm sure in the end it'll be the 'glorious head spinning' kind.
4 / 5
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