On her breakthrough record, Devotion, Jessie Ware claims she “didn’t really know what [she] was doing then,” which is incredibly hard to believe considering how majestic that album was. She possesses a much darker, more brooding tone that is rarely seen among pop albums these days, almost like a mash between Beyoncé and James Blake.
“Tough Love” has a much more minimalist touch than the songs that comprised Devotion, heightening her impressive vocal register and glimmering tonality. The sparse drum patterns allow Ware to flourish and fully experiment with her angelic voice. Though her debut’s title might have indicated a need to offer her entire spirit to another, Ware sounds much more self-empowered on this single. As she coyly sings at the track’s chorus, “That’s called tough love,” it’s evident Ware is more knowledgeable of her abilities than ever before.