Artist: SWV
Album: I Missed Us
Released on: April 17, 2012
In 1992, SWV were signed by producer Teddy Riley and set out to take the R&B world by storm with their debut It’s About Time, which was certified triple platinum. The third single “Weak” from the debut was the group’s first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as, the R&B chart and will go down in history as one of the best songs of the 90s. Now back with their fourth studio album and first release in fifteen years I Missed Us via Mass Appeal Entertainment.
The album kicks off with “Co-Sign” and I felt it was a good opening single. When I first heard the track, I thought SWV had not missed a beat. The arrangement, the vocals and the melody were all signature elements of SWV’s sound. Also, I was really glad to hear lead vocals from Lelee this time around. The next track “All About You” flowed in effortlessly. The song really made me remember the 90s basement parties I had. With Fat Man Scoop being the hype man of the track, the song really felt as if they had a party session in studio. The vocals were really nice and I love that the track contained an interpolation of one of my favorite songs ever “Peter Piper” by Run DMC. On “Show Off” the ladies displayed that they can still hang with today’s generation. Sonically, the track is modern, yet still contains their classic sound. The verses are started with the lyrics of “Come and Talk to Me” by Jodeci and the formula reminds me of Beyoncé’s ”Party.” With “Everything I Love,” the ladies of SWV sing to the men in their lives vowing to be there through any trials that may come and I love the bridge section where Coko showed off her upper register and of course, incorporated some of her traditional riffs and runs.
“Do Ya” featuring Brianna Perry is another uptempo on the album. I could have actually taken the song without the rap because I did not feel it made the track any better. I loved the horns, but overall, this is the only song on I Missed Us that I felt was ill-fitting. With “The Best Years,” production was lacking, as well as, vocal dynamics, the song just seemed to be an album filler about being naive in love. However, the title-track “I Missed Us” was a standout moment on the album. I loved the track as soon as it began with the scats and the cadence on the verses. The song gave great nostalgia and reminded me of their previous album releases. Another favorite of mine that held the same momentum was “Better Than I.” The hard-hitting instrumental, harmonies, lead vocals by Coko and Taj’s rap made this track one of the very best on the album. Everything was completely in sync and I loved it.
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Tags: Music Reviews, SWV
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