Return of the Tender Lover
| Babyface
Return of the Tender Lover
Return of the Tender Lover is the eighth studio album from American R&B singer Babyface. It was released December 4, 2015, on Def Jam Recordings. The album pays homage to his classic 1989 album, Tender Lover and serves as the follow-up to his last album Grown & Sexy (2005). It is his first solo album of new studio material in 10 years. - Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
In the late 1980s and early '90s, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, along with songwriting partners Daryl Simmons and L.A. Reid, developed a form of pop soul that's as geometrically precise as it is weightless. His new album draws from that era, less a throwback than a micro-adjustment of an enduring formula.
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Rolling Stone
A master of R&B revisits his Eighties star-making moment on a smooth, gentle throwback LP.
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Consequence of Sound
The talent hasn’t wavered even after an extended hiatus, and the veteran status of Babyface helps to bring a legitimacy back to adult-oriented R&B.
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The Guardian
This is old-school R&B with a fine glass finish, the musicianship and production audibly expensive and the man’s voice so honeyed it presumably requires the attentions of worker bees.
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You Know I Got Soul
The album is full of love stories that Babyface is masterfully able to bring to life and make us feel through his vivid writing. Most importantly, in a time when there are so many struggles in life, this is the type of music you can put on and it will make you feel good.
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All Music
They've done so with a satisfying album that sounds as if its organic making necessitated little exertion.
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Wall Street Journal
Babyface’s new album is a collection of suave R&B and pop designed to charm people who like to slow dance and lose themselves in romantic music.
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Cryptic Rock
In Babyface’s forty-year career, he has accomplished more than many artists could dream of.
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The National
Babyface keeps the collection down to a tight nine songs that are a welcome return of an R& B master-craftsman.
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hifi Magazine
But Babyface’s “return” is a neat package of decent urban soul, even if it misses the mark of returning him to his place of prominence.
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Brent Music Reviews
Still, 10 years without a new solo album is a long time, but Return of the Tender Lover proves it’s was well worth the wait.
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Soul Tracks
Highly recommended.
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Soul in Stereo
Solid, but not up to the standard of his earlier releases.
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The Musical Hype
Overall, Return of the Tender Lover is fine adult contemporary R&B album.
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Anhedonic Headphones
It may not be as immediate or as interesting of a listen as last year’s Love, Marriage and Divorce was, but it’s still refreshing and comforting to know that the Tender Lover has returned (from wherever he was) and can still croon with the best of them.
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Herald Standard
Love seems to always be in the air whenever Babyface is around.
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Chitobakamo
It ballad and RnB mix is amazing plus Babyface‘s voice gives that sweetness feel to it. It’s a must listen album and to have.
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