Love and music

Romancing is Musiq Soulchild's game, so it's refreshing that a label shift from Def Jam to Atlantic hasn't infringed upon his wily ways.

His fourth album "Luvanmusiq" offers more gentlemanly tunes, served sunny side up.

The first single on this album, "B.U.D.D.Y," may be a mid-tempo, hip hop-influenced song, but do not get discouraged by it. "Luvanmusiq" is an album rooted in traditional R&B and is intended, for the most part, as bedroom music.

While the bedroom is the perfect place for music to flow, the album is a bit one-dimensional. However, if you are already a fan of Musiq Soulchild, then you may not be disappointed. For those discovering the soul child for the first time, his meshed style of love and music will either impress or bore.

"Luvanmusiq" is essentially a retread of the first three albums. With his soft, deliberate, vocal style remaining fully intact, the lack of variation indicates the need for some creative growth.

"B.U.D.D.Y," in which Musiq tries to persuade a woman to get to know him better, is by far the album's best, and most different, song. A few other tracks manage to be mildly pleasing. "Betterman," about a woman who's good enough to make a guy want to improve himself, and the faster paced "makeyouhappy" and "ridiculous" are delightfully different.

Musiq Souldchild seems to be one of the more thought provoking R &B writers. While his songwriting is strong, his vocals need some fine tuning. He has a narrative style in which he tells stories through music, which are usually on-point and engrossing.

A big trademark of Musiq is the run-on title, such as "takeyouthere" and "greatestlove," which is fitting since the album plays like a run on sentence. The tempos of the songs change occasionally, but after listening to all 12 songs, it is hard to scrounge up the energy to give it a second thought.

Although "Luvanmusiq" rates pretty low in the excitement and thrill departments, its subtle romantic charm just may grow on its listeners.