Baby Braxton, aka Tamar Braxton, the youngest of the Braxton quintet, debuted her long awaited sophomore effort, Love and War, this week. Braxton’s first outing, her last full length studio recording, was 2000’s Tamar which garnered lukewarm audience reception. One might say the then tepid commercial performance was to be expected as big sis, Toni, was at the time a resident at the top of the Pop and R&B charts.
It’s a different tune this time around however. Fans of WE tv‘s smash hit, Braxton Family Values, got introduced to the saucy Tamar who emerged as the show’s breakout star and since developed a following of fans affectionately known as tamartians. The frenzy prompted the network’s spinoff hit show featuring Tamar and hubby, heavyweight Producer and Lady Gaga Manager, Vincent Herbert in the series, Tamar and Vince.
Love and War is a carefully curated R&B record who’s delivery is apropos in an era that has (thankfully) seen a recent resurgence in that genre. The set features powerhouse ballad and title track, Love and War, leadoff track and summer smash, The One, plus drop-it-to-da-flo, twerk worthy, Hot Sugar.
No longer in the shadow of her super star sister, it is palpable Braxton has a point to prove on this album. She shows formidable vocal prowess on most of the cuts and shines on slower tempo tracks, Stay and Fight, All The Way Home, Pieces and White Candle.
Love and War sizzles from track to track. There are no filler songs to skip and it flows quite nicely. Careful though, it’s mildly addicting. I’ve had it on heavy rotation and can’t quite seem to be able to tear myself away from it. Give it a spin. It’s brilliant.COM
Yapping with Yomi 
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