In Love & War(Def Jam)

Back in the summer of 2002 Amerie asked everyone around the world the burning question “Why Do We Fall in Love?” . The R&B songbird has uncovered a lot in her career since then. Now Amerie shares her most deepest thoughts about the trials of tribulations of love with her fourth studio offering In Love & War.

Fine horns kick off the sassy “Tell Me You Love”. Amerie raspy voice wreaks such confidence on this uptempo opener. Amerie without hesitation shouts toward the middle “Tell Me You Love Me!” “Just Tell Me You Love Me!” like a female James Brown.

“Why R U” is a infectious throwback cut and lead single for the album. The Buchanans produced track has a beat reminiscent of early 90′s R&B and Hip Hop. Amerie sensually croons that he’s no good for her , but there’s something about him that keeps her coming back. Interestingly enough, Amerie begins to question herself in the chorus “Why are you the only thing that I care about? Why are you the only thing that I care about? Why are you the only thing I think about? Why are you the only one?”.

In the opening line she belts out “My head is clear, I’m so surviving”. It’s about empowerment on the soon to be everyone’s anthem “Swag Back”. While she may be hurting from the breakup, it’s evident that Amerie is finally moving on and regaining what is rightfully hers.

Arguably the standout of In Love & War is the dangerously funky “Higher”. The Warryn Campbell production incorporates the sounds of old school Rock and Roll with a splash of R&B flavor. Amerie asks the in the fierce chorus “Do you feel like a man? Cause you got my heart in your hand. And you took me high as you can. Higher just to drop me off”.

Cockiness and confidence raids through Amerie’s voice on the experimental Sean Garrett record “Heard Em All”. Popular go-to rapper Lil Wayne lends his clever delivery on the “Heard Em All” remix.

Other notable guest appearances on Amerie’s In Love & War include rapper Fabulous on the trust related song “More Than Love” and a fitting duet with talented singer Trey Songz. On the relate able “Pretty Brown” Amerie and Songz passionately fight to hold onto the once good, now slowly dwindling relationship.

Overall In Love & War stands as Amerie’s most experimental work to date. A huge departure from the days of the All I Have, In Love & War shows a more confident and sassy side to Amerie-one we hope to see more of in the future.

Grade: B+

Images: Def Jam