Couples Can Relate to Tamar Braxton’s ‘Love and War’ Album

Tamar Braxton is maintaining her musical presence and showing the world her seriousness as a musician with her sophomore album, “Love and War.”

Braxton delivers an album that speaks to anyone who has ever been in a relationship while still giving fans, such as India Whaley, a fourth-year English student from Columbia, S.C., pieces of the personality viewers may have seen in her reality shows or interviews.

“I’m expecting some of her flare,” Whaley said. “It’s love songs similar to her sister but with different characteristics.”

The opening song, “The One,” which is also the second single of “Love and War,” gives listeners an old-school feel as Braxton sings about her man being “the one.” The feel-good song samples The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” It is the beginning of the love story told throughout the album, letting her love know that no matter the circumstances, Braxton “don’t want nobody else.”

The first half of “Love and War” consists of songs that showcase Braxton’s talent while allowing anyone in a relationship to understand the topic of songs such as “Stay and Fight.” However, Braxton mixes in songs that will have listeners scratching their head, such as “One on One Fun.”

The more upbeat, pop-like songs are a weak point on this album. While you would not necessarily skip them if they came on, the songs are not very memorable.

Braxton told fans on her Instagram that the next single will be “Hot Sugar,” which is the best of her upbeat songs as she describes what she does to have her man “chase her all around the house.”

The second half of the album pushes away from the pop-like music and goes back to the rhythm and blues sound with topics listeners will love and relate to.

“Pieces” is made for anyone who has ever been in a relationship wanting more while the other person was on a different page. And those who are working on a relationship with a person who has his or her walls up will feel what Braxton is saying in “Where It Hurts.”

The album’s final tracks, “Prettiest Girl,” “Sound of Love,” and “White Candle,” are softer songs dealing with happier moments in relationships. “Prettiest Girl” will put a smile on any woman’s face as she thinks of that one person who makes her feel pretty no matter what she is wearing.

Braxton ends the album with “Thank You Lord,” a humble song about how she would not know where she would be if it was not for the Lord changing her life. It will make listeners think of the ’90s when R&B artists would often end their albums with a gospel song.

If listeners have ever been in a relationship or wanted to be in a relationship, Braxton has a song on “Love and War” for them. All may be fair in love and war, but all is definitely good in “Love and War.”