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Tough Love
by
Tough Love Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 88 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British pop singer-songwriter was produced by Benny Blanco and Two Inch Punch.
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  • Record Label: Interscope
  • Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Adult Contemporary R&B
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The A.V. Club
    Oct 21, 2014
    91
    The only significant misstep on Tough Love is the plodding “Kind Of... Somtimes... Maybe,” which is just as hesitant and wishy-washy as its title suggests. In other words, it’s unlike the rest of Tough Love, which is sure-footed, propulsive, and breathtakingly confident.
  2. Clash Music
    Oct 7, 2014
    80
    She imparts yearning with such controlled restraint and lightness of touch it’s sublime.
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 22, 2014
    80
    All in all, Ware has gone the correct route with Tough Love.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Oct 27, 2014
    74
    Where Devotion contained only three or four songs with big, traditional choruses, Tough Love is built on them.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 13, 2014
    70
    Twinkly epic 'Cruel' is especially outstanding, while collaborations with Dev Hynes (‘Want Your Feeling’) and Miguel (‘Kind Of… Sometimes… Maybe’) save the latter half from drifting too far into languid MOR ballad territory.
  6. AllMusic
    Oct 20, 2014
    60
    Ware continues to express a multitude of emotions with superb elegance. The material, unfortunately, is on a lower plane.
  7. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Oct 14, 2014
    40
    It’s a record that masks its lack of content under swathes of super-hip production tics.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. thaleslucas
    Oct 21, 2014
    10
    "Tough Love" is one of the best albums of the year, of course! Jessie Ware's voice sound so great and powerful, in the same time, sounds quiet"Tough Love" is one of the best albums of the year, of course! Jessie Ware's voice sound so great and powerful, in the same time, sounds quiet and hopeful.

    "Say You Love Me", "You & I (Forever)", "Kind of...Sometimes...Maybe", "Pieces" and "Desire" are the biggest songs of the album, that give the best moments, with beats and lyrics so pretty and creative that can make the listener fall in love for the album.

    Jessie Ware really gave her best and did an album that is with na upper level far from her first, "Devotion". This is amazing!    … Expand
  2. skyrod
    Oct 21, 2014
    10
    Amazing vocals, amazing production and a great progression from the Devotion. I am a big fan of artists like Jessie. My favorite song is Keep on Lying
  4. digitallyrich
    Dec 3, 2014
    10
    as perfect a cd as a musician could want. thank you jon caramanica of nyt for your review of her live which got me to listen. i am nowas perfect a cd as a musician could want. thank you jon caramanica of nyt for your review of her live which got me to listen. i am now convinced she should see the celebrity adele did. too bad other talented artists today choose to waste their talents with the songs they record instead of following this path. this is a set of songs one can feel and sing and share joy with.… Expand
  5. Thales_Lucas
    Oct 21, 2014
    10
    With amazing lyrics, produtions and vocals, Jessie Ware did the best Pop album of the year. She is so creative and is really awesome. I reallyWith amazing lyrics, produtions and vocals, Jessie Ware did the best Pop album of the year. She is so creative and is really awesome. I really fell in love with it and I'm addicted.… Expand
  6. Banner09
    Oct 21, 2014
    9
    It's been a while we have not heard a such good soul album like Tough Love. It makes me think about the last album of Drake; Nothing was theIt's been a while we have not heard a such good soul album like Tough Love. It makes me think about the last album of Drake; Nothing was the Same. Surely, this album a tough work for Jessie Ware. Because the sounds is completely different like music now days. Moreover, Jessie have a perfect vocal on this album. Great Album!!! One of the Best for this Year… Expand
  7. WadeVS
    Oct 21, 2014
    9
    Ms. Ware once again proves that having poise, taste and talent will win out over cheap shock tactics. Working with a number of differentMs. Ware once again proves that having poise, taste and talent will win out over cheap shock tactics. Working with a number of different songwriters has diversified her sound ever so slightly. She is more confident and even seductive her. A highly polished, enjoyable sophomore effort.… Expand
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    3
    Sounding as pristine as usual tough love is a half effort follow up to the outstanding Devotion.

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed Album of 2014

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