Matching the intimacy of its predecessor, Marsha Ambrosius’ Friends & Lovers delivers candor in droves (“So Good”, “69”) where Late Nights lacked.  The content is more in touch with her time as half of the British soul twosome, Floetry, while the vibe musically is similar to that of Late Nights. “La La La La La” is an intimate portrayal, cleverly paying tribute to Minnie Ripperton’s timeless “Loving You”, and a tasteful display of Ambrosius’ vocal range.  She effortlessly shifts between intimacy (“Your lips, I wanna kiss you/ Like there’s no tomorrow, like the world is ending/ I just wanna be with you”) and vulnerability (“My skin feels good against you/ You’re touching me in places I forgot existed in me/ I felt you then I melted”), a testament to her renowned songwriting abilities.

Unlike her debut solo Late Nights & Early Mornings, which was entirely centered on Ambrosius, Friends & Lovers extends an invitation to a select few guests.  As such, featured artists are expected to augment the artist’s vision, but unfortunately the enlisted register as minor ripples.  Five years after her departure from Aftermath Entertainment, producer turned label head and mogul Dr. Dre appears on the album’s second single, “Stronger”.  Dre leads with a solid sixteen, but the added hip hop influence is noticeably out of place on the Sade inspired mid tempo.  The collaboration also brings the momentum built to a screeching halt, calling into question the inclusion of certain songs on the overextended album.

The conflict displayed throughout the album likely played out as much when deciding on the album’s final tracklisting.  The minimalistic “Shoes” crisply weaves the album’s concept into a four minute plus storytelling gem.  The soulful mid tempo visits the scene of the crime, post romp that will call forth memories of Andre 3000’s “Where Are My Panties” interlude.  Whereas the latter detailed a calm inner engagement, Ambrosius is decidedly disheveled, torn between the choice of physical gratification and self-preservation of her blossoming feelings.  With Friends & Lovers, Ambrosius’ motivations are pushed to the forefront: an unfamiliar feeling of intimacy, developed from desire, and watered with the faint glimmer that hope brings.

Highlights—Cupid [Shot Me Straight Through My Heart] La La La La La; OMG I Miss You; Shoes; So Good

Skip—Love; Streets Of London; Stronger