Album review: 'Love?' from Jennifer Lopez

As a judge on the revamped “American Idol,” Jennifer Lopez has staged a full-court comeback from the dark days of 2010, when her movie “The Back-up Plan” flopped in theaters and her single “Louboutins” withered on the radio. With “On the Floor,” the thumping lead cut from her new studio album, she’s even returned to the upper reaches of Billboard’s Hot 100.

Yet the remainder of “Love?” disrupts Lopez’s unlikely rebound narrative: It’s a limp, personality-free dance-pop collection with plenty of A-list collaborations (Tricky Stewart, RedOne, Lady Gaga) but none of the lightweight charm she once brought in hits like “Waiting for Tonight” and “Jenny From the Block.”

That lack of flavor won’t necessarily prevent these tunes from bolstering the newly lucrative Lopez brand; indeed, their very watery-ness may lubricate the transition into whatever phase her multimedia campaign enters next. But coming from a star whose weekly “Idol” pronouncements emphasize the value of charisma, “Love?” definitely disappoints.

Jennifer Lopez
“Love?”
(Island Def Jam)
One and a half stars (Out of four)

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—Mikael Wood

 

 

Comments

[Chabi]

I do not agree with this article. She grew up, don't get me wrong she's not an inspiration or an artist who stands for a special type of music. It does not mean she has no personality, it shows she wants to attract all kind of ears to sell, therefore reinforce her fame, and at the same time her income. She's a business woman, music to her, according to me, it's mostly about selling something than being an artist. I repeat, I am not judging. I do love her last song " I'm into you" !

[idexta'D]

i totally disagree this album gives me life love the 90's feel & latin flavor her best vocals to date & it's a lesson learn album that i can just dance to all day & night & she is a very inspring TRUE artist showing that u don't have to have an X-Tina voice to make it & stay in the music business QUEEN JLO

[orodrigu]

Totally disagree with this review. True she does not have the vocals of Mariah (early years) or Whitney Houston (early years), but she definitely has grown from, say, "Let's Get Loud". The new hit "Hypnotico" is sure to cement her dance music roots to mainstream radio.
Another artist repeatedly got these sort of reviews and is still around today, Madonna. I really feel like there is a concerted effort to drag Lopez down.

[E]

This album is not supposed to be deep, it just a really fun pop/ dance record. Really hope Hypnotico is a single. I def don't agree with this review.

[The Truth]

As whole, this album is NOT cohesive. She has a mix of pop songs and ballads. As singles, the songs could possibly do well (although only On the Floor has done well; I'm into you is doing horribly on iTunes and Billboard), but as an album, it doesn't mesh well. It's like she just put a bunch of songs together and just jammed it into the album. And her "less than stellar" voice does nothing to impress. Sure, she's beautiful, but this is an ALBUM, not a magazine cover.

PS. So disappointed with her dance bit on the I'm into you video. I was looking forward to seeing her really dance, but her dancing was underwhelming and lacked the moves she used to have.

[Carmen]

This article is gibberish. My least favorite songs are Good Hit, Im Into You, and Run this World because these are intended for the kids. Hit the Floor has no content, it is for the dance floor. Papi could be a dance song if you are into the latin groove. What is Love, Until it Beats No More, Starting Over, and Villain have great lyrical content and Jennifer sings them well. Everyone knows she is no Christina Aguilera but she sings them darn well. One Love has good lyrical content but she could have sang it better. Hypnotico and Invading my Mind are pop hits. It's okay if your not a fan and you don't want to jump on the bandwagon but do not keep discrediting her albums. Haters are so lame.

[no JLo fan]

Everyone knows Jennifer Lopez has a weak singing voice and even with top producers her new CD is flat and tired. On The Floor is so repetitive and the lyrics are so bland. We know she has danced all over the world - does she need to tell us in a song?! And, the rest of the songs are lackluster and have no depth whatsoever. JLO needs to stick to being a judge on American Idol where even the weakest signers are better than her.

[AK.Love]

She's still THE BOMB!

[Nanaberthaa]

Listened to the album today....It is POP RAP combo, very nasal...Every song sound's the same ...way to much background.And she is judging(hosting) Americal Idol...But I will say she can dance,,,,

[Stella]

You review this computerized J.Lo junk but avoid covering Stevie Nicks' beautiful new album (her first in ten years)?