Yung Bleu - Love Scars II (Album)
Yung Bleu has just delivered Love Scars II, his latest project out now via his own imprint Moon Boy University and EMPIRE.
Love Scars II is the sequel to Bleu’s 2020 project ‘Love Scars: The 5 Stages Of Emotions’, which featured 3x Platinum hit ‘You’re Mines Still’, which was later amplified with a Drake feature. In the words of Yung Bleu himself, this 15 track album “dives deeper … into situations that one may feel or experience in the midst of relationships and/or situationships.” This new project taps back into Bleu’s unique and consistent sound that had his fanbase engaged while simultaneously capturing a new audience. It is full of elevated lyricism over sonically pleasing melodies, creating another timeless R&B project from Bleu.
The album opens with ‘Casamigo Nights’, a sweet R&B track reminiscing about a previous lover, with Bleu lamenting “you’re too far gone, you’re too far to come back now”, wishing he could bring this relationship back from the brink. With soft guitar lines and reverberating backing vocals, the track makes for a smooth, soulful listening experience. Track two on the album is ‘Games Women Play’, a heartfelt piano ballad that touches on the ways in which both men and women play each other in a relationship, be that cheating or simply hiding their true feelings. Next up is ‘The Way You Rock’, an upbeat track that sees Bleu celebrate his feelings towards his love interest. The tune is underpinned by a bright guitar hook, complemented by modern, trap style drums to create a cheerful yet emotional love song.
Track four, ‘Lonely Winters’, is a touch more sorrowful than the previous tune, with themes of regret and loss pervading the track. Here Bleu remarks on the difficulties of losing his ex, with warm vocal melodies gliding over the soft twang of the R&B guitar riffs. The next track is ‘Waterfalls’, featuring US rap titan Ty Dollar $ign. This distinct, synth based composition forms the perfect bed for confident, sensual lyrics from the two rappers, with Bleu asserting that “there’s no feelings involved”. Next up is ‘Under My Spell’, an autotuned rap offering reminiscent of Future. With a repeated electronic synth riff alongside modern drum programming, this track leans more towards the classic US trap sound, and highlights the staggering versatility of Yung Bleu.
Midway through the album is ‘Distant Lover’, featuring Chris Brown. This track has a distinct R&B feel to it, with haunting guitar melodies alongside a hard hitting drumbeat. Bleu speaks of the joys of a previous love interest that has him repeatedly “coming back again”. Track eight is ‘Angel Dust’, with Bleu comparing his intense feelings of love to a drug high, crooning “this can’t be love it’s angel dust”. With vocals comparable to a young Lil Durk, Bleu displays an impressive level of vulnerability on this tune, offering his true feelings for the whole world to see. This heartfelt track is followed by ‘2AM In Dallas’, another trap inspired offering with signature melodic guitar riffs and booming 808s. With a relaxed, self-assured flow, Bleu flirts on the beat, sweet talking an exasperated lover. Track ten is ‘Can’t Help Who You Love’, which is a lush arrangement of keys and guitar as Bleu professes his love, regardless how misguided his intentions may be.
The next track on ‘Love Scars II’ is ‘Kissing On Your Tattoos’, yet another sensual serenade, full of echoed guitar licks and ambient synth lines, creating the perfect backdrop for Bleu’s raw vocal lines. Bleu celebrates the stunning beauty of his lover, singing “her body is a blessing”, over a slow, lofi-sounding drumbeat. This is followed by ‘Pussy Papa’, a bouncy R&B heater brimming with confidence, with Bleu touching on the hedonistic pleasures of the high-life. Track thirteen is interlude ‘You Got It’, another ode to the beauty of his lover and his feelings for her, oncluded with a voice recording from her reciprocating the feeling, commenting “I guess I just feel safe with you”.
The penultimate track on the album is ‘Till The Death’, an expression of Bleu’s commitment to his partner, with the artist softly singing “don’t nobody love you like I love you”, on top of chopped vocal lines, dulcet guitar melodies and punchy 808s. The final track is ‘Stingy’ featuring Chicago artist Tink, who offers a beautiful vocal hook which is dueted by Bleu, creating a lush vocal performance that concludes this gorgeous album perfectly.
With a diverse range of R&B and soulful bangers, Love Scars II is a stunning representation of Yung Bleu’s maturity as both an artist and individual.