Album Review: Sade - Soldier of Love (4/5)

Some things never change...the scent of Old Spice, the taste of Colonel Saunder's chicken and the sound of Sade. It's been just over 9 years since they released their last album, Lovers Rock, in late 2000, but Soldier of Love picks up right where that left off, which wasn't that much different from where the band left off from their prior album, Love Deluxe. And the 8-year span between that and Lovers Rock was almost as long as between their last and current albums.

But knowing what you're going to get doesn't make it bad, and on Soldier of Love, Sade continues to deliver their unique style of laid back, romantic adult-pop music. As if it isn't obvious from their album titles--the word "love" or a variation is always featured--Soldier of Love once again mines for its material all variations of love stories both sad and hopeful, although judging from the general minor keys of the album, probably more of the former.

Opening the album is a trio of lovelorn ballads, scored with weeping strings and electric guitar melodies. Ditched by a guy she's still in love with, Sade Adu laments dramatically on “The Moon and the Sky” that "you left me there dying, but you'll never let me go." Yet she soldiers on, literally, during the title track (“I’ve lost the use of my heart, but I’m still alive…still looking for the light”). To emphasize the militaristic metaphor, the song has a rather heavy bass beat for Sade, as if kissed by a Timbaland production (he had nothing to do with though, as they produced the album themselves). Her resolve breaks on “Morning Bird,” an even sadder piano and strings-based song about romantic abandonment (“the ghost of my joy won’t let me be”).

The downer of an opening lifts for “Babyfather,” which is my favorite song on the album. “Kiss of Life” and “By Your Side” provided uplifting moments for Love Deluxe and Lovers Rock respectively, and “Babyfather” does that trick here. It’s a really sweet song—a mother telling her child about how she fell in love with the father.

The joy doesn’t last though, followed by downright gloomy “Long Hard Road,” scored with mournful strings and given a dose of hope only in its closing lyrics. Slightly country tasting “Be that Easy” is still a downer but has a gentler, more comforting arrangement. “Bring Me Home” picks up the rhythm but not the downbeat sound.

“In Another Time” is another clear highlight. Perfect for a slow dance, the song provides a long instrumental section for the piano, strings and finally saxophone to really shine. “Skin” has a nice laidback groove, and final track, “The Safest Place” slows the tempo way way down for a satisfyingly mellow finish.

For a band that doesn’t really make music consistently anymore, getting a new Sade album feels like a real treat. And Soldier of Love doesn’t disappoint.

Best: Babyfather, In Another Time, Soldier of Love, The Moon and the Sky