15 Songs Filled with Considerable Love | Playlist

6. Anthony Hamilton, “Love is the New Black”

  Love is the New Black • My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 2021

After a five-year hiatus, Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton returned with   Love is the New Black at the end of September 2021.  On the third single from the LP, “Love is the New Black”, he maintains utmost consistency and relentless soulfulness.

“Love is the New Black” serves as the opener, setting the tone.  Being true to Hamilton artistically, it features old-school production, in a retro-/neo-soul style ( Cardiak and WU10).  As far as the sounds, I love the keys, dramatic, lush strings, and the percussion-fueled groove –DECADENT! Furthermore, I love the fact that the instrumental intro percolates for a good 30+ seconds.  Of course, Anthony does his thing as always, delivering expressive, soulful vocals and romance-driven songwriting/theme.  Furthermore, he delivers utterly sublime ad-libs. While the aesthetic is familiar, with Hamilton in his niche, there’s contrast too.  Worth noting, “Love is the New Black” features only one section, the chorus:

“I know where I’m goin’
You know where it’s at
One thing that’s for sure
Love is the new Black.”

Once again, Mr. Hamilton comes through.

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7. Zara Larsson, “Talk About Love”

Ft. Young Thug

  Poster Girl • Record Company TEN / Epic • 2021

“You know I’m down to go anywhere / But I told you I don’t wanna go there…” Hmm, where doesn’t Swedish singer Zara Larsson want to go on “Talk About Love” ( Poster Girl, 2021)? Well, it’s complicated considering it entails L-O-V-E, sigh. “Talk About Love” was written by Amy Allen, Dewaine Whitmore, Jeffery Lamar Williams, and Mike Sabath.  Sabath delivers the slick production work including cool, colorful, and warm synths, as well as rhythmic, trap drums.  The instrumental intro is quite lovely.

It all works to Larsson’s favor, who serves up beautiful, clear vocals on her verse.  She shines most on the chorus, which is incredibly catchy.  Here, her vocals sound particularly strong when harmonized. Additionally, her ad-libs are sweet.

“I don’t wanna talk about love (Yeah)
I don’t wanna talk about love (Yeah)
I just wanna keep us right here in the moment
Why you gotta go get lost in еmotion?”

As for featured guest Young Thug, he provides stark contrast to Larsson on the second verse. He’s melodic, though remains an acquired taste – idiosyncratic, for better or worse. All in all, “Talk About Love” is an enjoyable pop record, suiting young Zara Larsson extraordinarily well, highlighting her strengths.

8. Asbjörn, “(Love Like a) Teenager”

“(Love Like a) Teenager” • Embassy of Music • 2021

Perhaps Danish pop musician Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen) is more popular in Denmark and Europe in general.  That said, more folks here in the United States need to check out this incredibly talented artist.  Terkelsen delivers a surefire bop on “(Love Like a) Teenager”. Vocally, he sings incredibly smooth and beautifully.  He never forces things, singing with incredible ease and an exquisite tone.  When his vocals are harmonized, man does it make the ears perk up! Besides his own suave vocal performance, the vocal production is sweet too.  You know what else is sweet? The production, a collaboration between him, Tom Stafford, and Rob Rox.

Terkelsen has a slick, backdrop to paint those sweet, tuneful melodies atop, with some inspiration from the 90s.  That backdrop includes keys, synths, and drum programming.  One rad musical feature, for the music theory nerds out there – there’s a modulation! A rarity in popular music these days, but more folks need to bring it back. Finally, you can’t mention “(Love Like a) Teenager” without highlighting the songwriting. Asbjørn delivers the goods bringing lyrics that are infectious and personal.

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9. Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler, “this is how you fall in love”

brent ii • Republic • 2021

“This is how you fall in love / Let go and I’ll hold you up.” Aww, what better subject matter than love for a pop duet? Continue with that excerpt, please! “So, pull me tight and close your eyes / Oh, my love, side to side” Ah – chorus that exemplifies sheer perfection to the nth degree! On “this is how you fall in love” from brent ii, Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler join forces delivering a radiant song all about L-O-V-E.  The chemistry between the two is superb, while separately, they sound sweet as well. Zucker and Cutler both wrote and produced this sub-three-minute gem.

On “this is how you fall in love,” Zucker delivers a gorgeous vocal performance; his tone is impeccable.  He sings with incredible authenticity; he sounds expressive, nuanced, and tender.  One of his best moments is incredibly subtle, when he sings “Oh” on the pre-chorus (it recurs post-second verse). The same praise can be bestowed upon Cutler, who appears on the second verse.  Notably, she has an expanded sound palette accompanying her, as well as getting a lift via layered vocals.  Cutler’s second verse serves as the transition to loftier heights for “this is how you fall in love.”  Even as the record ascends to a fever pitch, Zucker and Cutler’s ‘duet section’ intentionally brings things back down – a great thoughtful touch. “This is how you fall in love” possesses both a degree of simplicity as well as a degree of utter satisfaction.

Also appears on :
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10. Billy Porter, “Love is On the Way”

Untitled • A&M • 1997

Broadway actors have some of the best voices in the game – FACTS!  That said, it is often difficult for Broadway stars to translate into the mainstream.  Billy Porter discussed his unexceptional music career in depth in his superb memoir, Unprotected.  At the time, Porter had been in several Broadway productions, was considered incredibly flamboyant (remember it was the 90s, so, perceptions were different), and making him the ‘male Whitney Houston’ as he describes in his book was always going to be tough sale.  Regardless, Porter did release an album via A&M Records, Untitled in 1997, and it features a soaring ballad tailor made for him, “Love is On the Way.”

“Love is On the Way” was written by Denise Rich, Peter Zizzo, and Tina Shafer, with Zizzo producing.  The sound is adult contemporary R&B – that signature 90s sounding love-oriented ballad.  The difference is, Porter has one of the biggest voices you’ll ever hear – or have NEVER heard, unfortunately.  He exhibits control and poise on the verses, showcasing the sheer beauty of his instrument.  By the chorus, he soars, showing the sheer power of his instrument – power that gives chills.  Backed by choir, Porter hearkens back to his Pentecostal church roots, giving ample soul.  Add to the magnificence a range few males have the gift (he’s a tenorino). “Love is On the Way” was originally his song, BUT a bigger name – Céline Dion – ended up recording it for her album 1997 album, Let’s Talk About Love.  In essence, the version many have heard is by the Canadian pop icon as opposed to Porter.

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11. Lana Del Rey, “Let Me Love You Like a Woman”

Chemtrails Over the Country Club • Interscope • 2021

“Let Me Love You Like a Woman” arrived as the promo single for Chemtrails Over the Country Club, the seventh studio album by Grammy-nominated pop musician, Lana Del Rey, back in 2020.  The record begins as a piano ballad with more instruments eventually added.  Even so, the record never erupts into anything over the top. As always, Del Rey delivers expressive vocals.

As far as the narrative of the songwriting, on the first verse, Del Rey is totally ready to leave LA. That said, she wants him to leave with her. On the chorus, she lays out potentially sweet romance, including the titular lyric and “Talk to me in poems and songs.” Once more, on the second verse, she shares her desire to leave, but asserts it’d be no fun without him.  She brings nostalgia on the bridge:

“We could get lost in the purple rain
Talk about the good ol’ days
We could get high on some pink champagne
Baby, let me count the ways.”

Additionally, sweetening the bridge is that upper register – some falsetto. The record concludes with the centerpiece, the chorus.

12. Aaron Frazer, “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love”

Introducing… • Dead Oceans / Easy Eye Sound • 2021

Aaron Frazer, a member of Durand Jones & The Indications, steps out on his own his 2021 debut album, Introducing…. Throughout the retro-soul LP, Frazer makes the best of a soulful backdrop and his ability to croon like an absolute boss.  He concludes Introducing… with arguably its most triumphant moment, the gospel/blues-infused ballad, “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love.”   

While Frazer continues to deliver a calm, cool, and collected vocal, on “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love,” it feels as if he brings more oomph and punch.  Maybe it’s the passion, coupled with one of the best production jobs Dan Auerbach serves up on the entire album.  If you can’t feel the passion on this one, well, you must truly have a heart of stone!

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13. Queen Naija, “Love Language”

missunderstood • Capitol • 2020

Queen Naija has some questions for you: “Can you read my love language / …When I need love and affection? / Could you read it when I need it?”  We bud, can you? “Love Language” appears as the lucky-number-seventh track on her 2020 album, missunderstood, which debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Prior to her questions on the chorus, Naija makes it crystal clear that he needs to be listening to her concerns:

“I got a little attitude right now
I got a bone to pick with you right now
Need you to put your fuckin’ phone down
And meet me up in this room right now.”

SHE’S NOT PLAYING.  Of course, she confronts him, tells him “You should practice what you preach,” while also highlighting the degree of pleasure (“No one’s ever got me wetter”). Woo! I’ll let the LOVE LANGUAGE speak for itself!

Also appears on :
Love Language: 3BOPS No. 1 (2021)

14. Mura Masa, “Love$ick”

Ft. A$AP Rocky

Mura Masa • Anchor Point • 2017

Mura Masa – what a compelling name for a musician, right? Definitely. The electronic music producer’s real name is Alex Crossan, and he hails from Guernsey (don’t feel bad if you don’t know where it is either).  Beyond some background, Mura Masa is best known for the song “Lovesick” ( Mura Masa, 2017) which features rapper A$AP Rocky.

How did this collaboration come about? Well Crossan provides some insight.  More importantly, he puts in some serious work on the production, which is groovy AF.  His backdrop is flavorful, blending hip-hop, Caribbean, and electronic cues seamlessly. Of course, it’s A$AP Rocky that crafts the ‘lovesickness,’ characterizing himself as a “lovesick fuck” multiple times.  Charming!

“Okay, she giving me love, but it fuck my energy up
Every time it’s finna be summer, only got the memories of us
And now we industry lovers, they making enemies of us
I mean, sometimes we in public, they drain the synergy from us…” 

Also appears on :
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15. Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You”

The Bodyguard – Original Soundtrack Album • Arista • 1992 

“If I should stay / I would only be in your way / So I’ll go, but I know / I’ll think of you every step of the way.” Sorry to every other R&B artist who released music in 1992.  Why? Well, the best R&B song of that year belongs to one woman and one woman only. Pretty amazing how Whitney Houston totally transformed “I Will Always Love You,” a country song written by Dolly Parton isn’t it?

There’s not much commentary needed for this record – it speaks for itself.  This is the greatest of Whitney Houston’s many, many hits.  At her best, who could out-perform her?  The best moment is the modulation (key change), where from then on, Houston goes to a completely different level. No matter who sings this masterpiece in the future, there will only ever be one definitive, truly iconic version.

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