Album Review: Lianne La Havas’ Titular Album Is the Perfect Neo Soul Break-Up Record

Lianne La Havas’ first album in five years finds beauty and strength amidst a deteriorated relationship.

Written by C.S. Harper

Photo courtesy of Hollie Fernando

After the release of her acclaimed 2015 sophomore album Blood, Lianne La Havas vanished from the public eye. Dissatisfied with her last project’s lack of personal meaning, the British singer-songwriter took a five year hiatus. During this time, her grandmother and great-grandmother passed away, and she entered a new (now-ended) relationship. These drastic life changes inspired sporadic songwriting sessions over a ten month period that eventually led to her third studio album. As she recalled in an interview, “I learned so much in the last five years. It all eventually went into [Lianne La Havas].”

La Havas’ third record came to fruition during a period of growth and transition. According to the singer-songwriter, Lianne La Havas was inspired by, “the life cycle of plants… a seasonal thing that blooms, thrives, goes away, and comes back even stronger." The album also sees the singer-songwriter come into her own artistically, marking various firsts in her career. As her first self-produced record, it presents her creative vision in its truest form. In La Havas’ words, “[the album is] my reality and it’s driven by emotion. I dare say this is the closest I’ve gotten to a pure expression this far.”

The record opens with the full-length version of “Bittersweet.” One of the most soulful tracks on the album, it samples Isaac Hayes’ “Medley: Ike’s Rap Part III / Your Love Is So Doggone Good.” It also showcases some of La Havas’ most impressive vocals, ranging from sultry to powerful throughout the track. Despite the song’s sensual sound, it finds La Havas at the peak of her relationship’s demise. She intersperses the moments preceding and following the breakup throughout the track. She expresses uncertainty over her feelings for her partner in the verses, while she alludes to her personal growth during the relationship’s aftermath in the chorus.

Following “Bittersweet,” “Read My Mind” and “Green Papaya” take the listener back to the beginning of the relationship. La Havas reminisces about her first moments falling in love with her ex, having carefree sex, and declaring her devotion to him. “Read My Mind” presents her initial euphoria in the relationship through lush guitars and dreamy pianos. In a breathy voice, La Havas recalls her initial lust for her ex: “Pure joy when a girl meets a boy / Natural chemistry, oh, better believe / Could you possibly be any closer to me, boy?” “Green Papaya” builds upon these feelings by introducing her growing commitment to the relationship; accompanied only by a guitar and piano, La Havas solemnly sings, “Found heaven in you, promise to be pure and true.”

A collaboration with Mura Masa, “Can’t Fight” introduces a new upbeat sound in the album. Despite the track’s poppy guitar riffs and catchy vocals, its lyrics recount the beginning of the end. La Havas is conflicted about her love for her partner and the way he makes her feel, evident in lyrics like, “You’re pulling me back and now I’m going under” and “Can’t fight away this love.” In a similar vein, “Paper Thin” and “Out Of Your Mind (Interlude)” reveal a more flawed side of her partner. In the former, she comforts a loved one (presumably her ex) as he struggles with insecurities and self-doubt. “Out Of Your Mind (Interlude),” the most minimalistic track on the record, follows a different, more crass tone as La Havas repeats the lines “You’re out of your mind” to her lover.

Photo courtesy of Warner Records

To start the second half of the album, La Havas covers Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes.” She incorporates it seamlessly into the record, accompanying her signature mellow vocals with jazzy rock instrumentation. A central piece in the album’s breakup narrative, the song represents her struggle to stay in the relationship: “Why should I stay here? / Why should I stay?”

Returning to her guitar-driven neo soul sound, “Please Don’t Make Me Cry” details La Havas’ last attempt to save the relationship. Crooning “Stay for me, my heart on your sleeve / Tread carefully and I’ll never leave,” she begs him to stay with her despite their hardships as a couple. In the follow-up bossa nova track “Seven Times,” La Havas’ perception of the relationship becomes more down-to-earth. Although she accepts the reality that the relationship has come to an end, it devastates her: “All night, all day, I cry and pray.” In the meditative “Courage,” La Havas reflects on how the broken relationship has affected her. She is overcome with loneliness, and singing, “Courage, save me somehow / This is the only way out,” she calls upon courage to guide her.

La Havas’ emotional journey comes to an end in the seven-minute long “Sour Flower.” Its title references her grandmother’s metaphor for resolving problems; she’d tell her, “That's your sour flower, that's your problem, you deal with it.” La Havas has liberated herself from her sadness, focusing instead on self-care and self-love. Even though her pain will never fully dissipate, she has gained a newfound strength: “I’m not crying over you / When I cry, it’s ‘cause I’m free.” After this uplifting moment, the album closes with a short version of “Bittersweet.” The record has come full circle, and La Havas has freed herself from the past.

Lianne La Havas feels like the album that the singer-songwriter has been building up to her entire career. It takes the strengths of her trademark neo-soul style — her sweet vocals, evocative lyrics, and mellow guitars — and blends them together into a masterful record. From its production to its lyrics to its title, this album is the purest reflection of her artistic vision in her entire discography. She takes full control of her story, creating her most personal record to date.