CD Review Preview Link, SWV’s “Still”

SWV, dresses

…….The years brought personal and professional changes, with only Coko remaining in music as a solo R&B and Gospel artist, but a lucrative opportunity to reunite for fans overseas saw the trio reconnect in 2005. Years later, after touring with musical peers like Jodeci and Blackstreet, SWV made it official with the release of their engaging and aptly-titled 2012 CD, I Missed Us, and rode the momentum into a WeTV reality show, SWV United. It was a publicity goldmine and allowed fans to relate to their adult issues, but the constant focus on industry woes and internal angst threatened their reboot. SWV ultimately decided to give the people what they wanted, getting back into the studio to create their fifth studio album, Still.

The cover displays three close and confident women, glammed up to the gods and hitting their strides as individuals and artists. What isn’t so apparent, however, is the breakneck speed in which the music came together—one whole week. Conceived to coincide with the heightened profile of the previous reality show, Still follows the arc of their 2012 release, except there’s more lead vocal sharing this time around. Taj’s throaty contributions are the most distinctive of the two, prominent on the come-hither mid-tempo, “Let’s Make Music,” and the roller-skate-ready groove “On Tonight.” LeLee’s is more subdued in tone, but just as affection on the edgy kiss-off, “Leaving You Alone” and the nostalgic bluesy turn of a ballad, “When Love Didn’t Hurt.”

Does that switch-up mean the sound has also changed? Hardly. Their lushly layered three-part harmonies…..(click here to read the full review at soultracks.com)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Previous Post Next Post

Leave a Reply

You may also like