(Album Review) SWV I Missed Us

Album release date: April 17th, 2012

Label: eOne Music/Mass Appeal Entertainment

Embracing the new with a touch of the old, SWV brings us through their 15 year hiatus on their fourth studio album I Missed Us.  In a time where R&B music has been relegated to sexing the “baddest chick in the club”, Taj, Coko, and Lelee, bring the rhythm back with familiar themes of unconditional love, fighting for a love that’s deep, and letting go. Not deviating too much from their ‘grown, sexy, and mature’ lifestyles, 90s’ signature sounds can be heard on the opening track “Co-sign” as well as “Show Off”, where these ladies are more aggressive in their approach on communicating what they want.  The song that holds its own is “Everything I Love”. Vulnerability at its core, it describes a love that’s unbreakable, at times taken for granted yet still finds you holding on. You’d put it on “everything you love.” With minimal features on this album, Miami’s own Brianna Perry, graces one of the more up tempo songs called “Do Ya.”

I Missed Us is their musical homecoming. Not feeling the pressure to conform, this album will find its place among their loyal listeners and those who are looking for more rhythm and blues.