Album Preview: The-Dream "Love King"
It's almost like R&B isn't even a singular genre anymore. Singers borrow more hip-hop swag than ever and rappers continue to try flexing their vocal chords (take the last album we previewed, for example). But if one guy is trying to keep rhythm and blues alive, it's The-Dream. His previous two projects are often hailed as modern classics and rank as personal favorites around Complex, so naturally, there's a lot of anticipation for Love King. Terius Nash's third and possibly final LP doesn't hit stores until June 29, but we got the chance to hear it early. Keep reading to check out our album preview and see if it lives up to the hype...
"Love King"
Complex says: The first single from the album of the same name. It's basically a 2010 R&B version of Jay-Z's "Girls, Girls, Girls." Dream runs through a list of all the different types of women he keeps on deck and describes what makes each of them so special. This has been out for a while, but it still sounds great as an album opener.
"Make Up Bag" f/ T.I.
Complex says: Here's another record that's been available online for weeks now. The message is simple: if you piss off your girlfriend, a $5,000 handbag will fix everything. We'll stick to singing about that, bro.
"Love Again"
Complex says:
"Sex Intelligent"
Complex says:
"Sex Intelligent (Remix)"
Complex says: The original segues into the remix and Terius decides to rap on this. It's cool, but carries on a song that we essentially just heard for a bit too long.
"Yamaha"
Complex says: Track six lives up to its title with Prince-inspired '80s synths sprinkled all over the place. Too bad the synths are the only thing Prince-inspired, because this is probably the weakest of the bunch so far.
"Nikki Part 2"
Complex says: The sequel to "Nikki" from Love Hate. "Me and my new girl was cool, but now I'm having doubts," The-Dream sings. Sounds like every guy we know when they get a new girlfriend who isn't as hot as their last one.
"Abyss"
Complex says: The well-planned sequencing continues. The previous track flows seamlessly into "Abyss" but it's a lot less exciting. This is one of those angry, breakup records in theory, but it comes across as filler when the disc is actually spinning.
"Panties To The Side"
Complex says: "Panties" is one of those raunchy sex anthems that it feels like we've been waiting the entire album to hear. It's reminiscent of the space sound we heard on "Walking On The Moon" on the last album. "Commando" is the best, but if she's gonna wear something, Terius got the right idea.
"Turnt Out"
Complex says: Here we get the horned-up approach that we started to hear on the last track, and it's done even better. The-Dream makes uses of his classic falsetto before the mid-song breakdown. This is one of those songs girls put on their "Sex Playlist," which means we're all for it.
"February Love"
Complex says: Just when the pace was starting to pick up, things slow down again with this wintery love ballad. Clocking in at over six minutes, this is a bad look for the summertime.
"Florida University"
Complex says: This is a track you hear and wonder when it'll hit radio. "Florida University" is probably the album's best song, thanks in large to its irresistibly catchy chorus and slick workaround for the FCC. The production has a nice pop sheen and the revenge-laden narrative is fun to follow. There's a couple girls who'd get the "Florida University" if we saw them again.
"Veteran" (For Deluxe Album Only)
Complex says: The first of five bonus tracks. It's about the club, but it's so laid-back that we don't see it ever getting played there.
"Priceless" (For Deluxe Album Only)
Complex says: A tribute to those girls who have their ish completely together. At over six minutes, it's another long one, but it's far more tolerable than "February Love."
"Take Care Of Me" (For Deluxe Album Only)
Complex says: A piano-heavy ballad that's pretty mellow until the chorus and its accompanying electric guitars kick in. It's not bad but there's a reason it's a bonus track.
"All Black Everything" (For Deluxe Album Only)
Complex says:
"Sorry" (For Deluxe Album Only)
Complex says: The final bonus track is almost entirely acapella. The "It's Too Late For Sorry" part gets a little repetitive. We always apologize to our ladies once, and if she doesn't accept it, we replace her.