After many delays Tamar Braxton has finally released her third album ‘Calling All Lovers’ which features 16 tracks including her current single “If I Don’t Have You” which leads the whole project instead of “Let Me Know” featuring Future, honestly it wasn`t doing much for her at all I can see why they had to replace it.
The album kicks off with “Angels and Demons” is a smooth dancehall mid-tempo number that very reminisce of Jazmine Sullivan`s chart topping single "Need U Back" as the mixture of reggae and soulful vocals comes together so beautifully, it finds her singing about the ups and lows that all couples deal with "We’re sinners. we’re losers, we’re winners, we love..." But honestly this song is very mediocre, it’s lacking something. I think it needed a strong rapper feature to tight it all up perfectly.
She follows it up with “Catfish”, an mid-tempo number that features a sample of SWV’s ’90s hit “Right Here (Human Nature)”, the song is loosely based on MTV show that regularly exposes fakes in the world of online romance. Tamar breaks down all the phony guys out here acting all brand new and you know that they ain`t about that life right there: "I know when your momma stay, your sister keep asking bout me. Don't front, for the 'gram babe, them pictures be all about me, there's something about you that I just can't explain. Got me all in my feelings, while you're playing this game. I was round, I was down for you and we both know it's true, why you acting brand new?"
The doo-wop-inspired number “Simple Things” truly kicks off the album for me as it sees her channeling the greats Mary J. Blige, Patti Labelle and Aretha Franklin, pouring her heart out singing about the importance of the little thing in life - the appreciation of the love from her man not all the material things:"I love me a good man, who love to take care of his good woman but I don't think you need to go on out here. And kill yourself over, no car, no house, no jewelry because at the end of the day baby while you chasing all that, I'm really chasing you."
“Broken Record” is one of the biggest highlights of the album as it`s a piano driven number that creates a solid foundation for her as she reflects on heartbreak, “Where do I go from here?” she asks herself. She emotionally expresses what most of us have experience in our relationships, where you`re fully committed to someone who keeps on breaking us to pieces till we decide to pick ourselves up and move on but we keep on coming back and giving them more chances only to realize that we are only hurting ourselves: "I done seen this here before, did not cry not one time more. But I'm standing here all be myself, I tried my best to make it work. I prayed so hard that this wouldn't hurt but I'm still standing all by myself, do you like when I'm undone?..."
“Never” proves to be a great follow up as Tamar gives her unappreciative lover the boot and declares that he’ll never feel her love again "You treat me like I'm nothing, you take me for granted, you're tripping, walking round here like I owe you something. Always going out my damn way, just to keep you happy. Well since you wanna act like that I swear you'll never kiss my lips again..."
“Circle” is another highlight and honesty needed to be the single from the jump as it`s her strongest track on the album, it`s a very emotional ballad that finds her singing about a toxic relationship that has her trapped in a cycle of heartbreak. "You drug my heart through the ground, left it all battered and bruised. I’m done fighting this battle with you, I can’t keep going in circles...." Her vocal performance is simply outstanding , especially when she hits the high note towards the end.
“If I Don’t Have You” is a smooth mid-tempo number with a piano driven production that also features a classic old skool vibe to it. She sings about an ex that she loved that wasn’t in love with her, leaving her feeling like she is in a relationship all by herself: "It's way too late to start things over, can't seem to get it together. We try, and we try, but we won't look wrong dead in the eyes, let's try and make it right, cause I don't wanna fight. Can't see myself without you in my mind, please don't say you're done with me cause you're my baby..."
“Raise The Bar” is a sexy-sultry number that features production by DJ Camper, it finds her falling head over heels for her new man who has proven to be worthy of her love: "Ooo don't know what I did before, I met your sexy ass and changed the score. I couldn't ask for more than who you are, cause baby you, you, you, you raise the bar..." The vocal arrangement throughout is extremely solid and is very reminisce of Beyonce`s track "Rocket".
“I Love You” is a perfect follow up as it`s a smooth breezy ballad about a loving relationship where she and her lover bring the best out of each other: "I'm so lucky, I can't believe I'm with the man I saw in my dreams. Your kiss feels like a summer day, got me so open in every way..."
“Making Love” is a sensual number perfectly made for the bedroom as she invite her lover for one-on-one between the sheets: "I want you to love on my body don't stop this groove, boy tell me what you're fantasizing. Tonight I'm on stage for you, cause every time I think of you and all the sexy things we do, I can't get enough of you..." I love the fact she sang most of the song in her lower register which totally captured the steamy and passionate message.
“Love It” is one of those songs you wish was longer as it`s a straight banger, very playful and seductive number with scattering beats and a sexy backdrop which all comes together beautifully, it find her reminding her lover that no other woman’s loving can compare to hers: "I'mma tie your hands around your back, c'mon daddy, tell mommy how bad do you want it, want it just like that. Cowboy, you want me to saddle my pony, play truth or dare, touch me right there...."
“Must Be Good To You” is Tamar`s "Blow" as it is a self-empowering and bold number that finds her confidently reflecting on her self worth and love that keeps her man coming back for more: "Ain't you so surprised? I done blew your mind. Make your eyes roll back like it's '95. Is it good, is it good to ya? I bet you didn't think it'd make a fool of ya cause I know it's that good to ya...".
“Free Fallin’” powerful ballad that is heavily inspired her husband Vincent Herbert as it finds her singing her heart out about experiencing love so real and pure that it got her feeling like she is on top of the world and doesn’t want to come down: "I feel a rush over me, every time that I hear your name. You're my reflection, you're such a blessing, I couldn't picture me without your frames. Since you've arrived, it's like everything's different, you're the piece of my life that's been missing..." She beautifully showcase her vocals even further, by displaying a expansive sonic range.
“King” is a soft piano driven ballad, it talks about her lover who she believes is the most deserving man she knows: " I believe you're my king and I believe in my king, so let my love surround you.." I honestly found this track to be extremely boring and forgettable with a slow pace.
“S.O.N.” is a mid-tempo number that finds her expressing that she doesn’t want to fight over petty things with her man but would rather make love: "We already know you ain't gon' leave, so stop acting like you got the power, while I'm in the shower. We already know where you gon' be, boy stop frontin' and let's make this movie starring this booty, I want sex over nonsense."
She closes the album with “Coming Home” which is her “There’s A Stranger In My House” as it finds her missing the man she once knew so well and she wants him back so badly: "Boy you look the same but I don't know you at all, it's like your number changed cuz you don't answer when I call, oh. Did I say something wrong? Did I not put it on you? I'm living with a stranger. You're lying here but it feels like you're gone, I'm missing you come home....."
While her single choices were weak, the album overall turned out to be a great offering, not better than it’s predecessor ‘Love & War’, but she managed to showcase phenomenal vocal growth especially when she sung emotional records that allowed her to fully connect and relate so the listener can feel that connection as well.
Rating: 3.8/5
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