Album Review: Beautiful Pain by Tyrese

Inspired by Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs In the Key of Life,’ Marvin Gaye’s ‘Here, My Dear,’ and the mourning of his divorce, Tyrese lets his soul cry with the most complete album of his career.

Courtesy of Voltron Recordz, LLC.

Following his marriage to Samantha Lee, the relationship’s dissolution became a central theme in Tyrese’s music. This period of his life was marked by emotional turmoil, which he channeled into his work, crafting songs that spoke of love, loss, and introspection. The narrative around Beautiful Pain isn’t just about the music and how Tyrese communicated his experiences through various media. For instance, his discussions on platforms like The Breakfast Club, where he premiered the emotional short film for his last single for the LP, “Wildflower,” show his willingness to share his vulnerabilities, connecting deeply with his fans.

As Tyrese navigated through his divorce, his music became a diary open to the public, capturing the complexities of love, the pain of parting, and the healing process. Each song on Beautiful Pain is a chapter in this saga, offering a glimpse into his emotional state and strength beyond the gimmicks. The single “Don’t Think You Ever Loved Me” reflects the doubts and realizations post-breakup. It’s a soulful ballad where Tyrese questions the authenticity of past affections, a theme that resonates with anyone who’s experienced the end of what they believed was true love. This track, along with “Love Transaction,” explores the transactional nature of relationships, where love is given expectations, often leading to disappointment when those expectations aren’t met.

His cover of “Wildflower,” originally by New Birth, takes on a new life in Tyrese’s voice. Dedicated to his late mother, this rendition is a tribute and reflection on growth and beauty emerging from pain. The choice to cover this song might suggest Tyrese’s own growth through his struggles, finding beauty in the pain, much like a wildflower. “Impossible” paints a picture of a man trying to understand where things went wrong, making it a relatable and emotionally charged piece for those who have experienced similar heartaches. “Poison” opens with an acknowledgment that, on the surface, the relationship appears to be going well, as Tyrese sings, “No reason to complain/As far as I can see/Everything’s good with you and me.” However, he quickly reveals his suspicions about his partner’s behavior, particularly on “every Sunday evening.”

Based on the album title, this album, for the most part, is based on the mourning of his ugly divorce. The songs may be triggering for some who can relate, but on the downside, it can be a disconnect if they can’t relate, and some song lengths could wear out their welcome. However, with the 70s soundscape, the quality is far from lackluster. “What Happened to Forever” traces the journey from hopeful beginnings to sorrowful present, highlighting the contrast between past dreams and current reality while touching on the complexities of co-parenting post-breakup, adding depth to its exploration of love’s aftermath.

Besides Lenny Kravitz and Le’Andria Johnson blessing the album, Tamar Braxton joins Mr. Gibson on “Neither One of Us,” which is a taken from Gladys Knights & The Pips, and “Bedroom Bully” showcases the chemistry he and October London have (he did additional vocals on “Love Transaction”). El DeBarge provides additional ad-libbing on one of the album’s best tracks, “Runaway,” as Tyrese depicts him grappling with the consequences of his actions, realizing too late the impact of his neglect and stubbornness on his partner. This follows through on “Unbelievable” with his raw emotions and genuine appreciation for his partner’s influence on his life, creating a touching and relatable narrative of love’s power to inspire change and foster a deep connection with Eric Dawkins and saxophone playing by Kenny G.

Throughout Beautiful Pain, Brandon ‘B.A.M.’ Hodge (Tyrese’s frequent collaborator) and David Foster take over the album’s production, which is lush, soulful, and filled with live instrumentation, with inspirations from Stevie Wonder’s Songs In the Key of Life and, most importantly, Marvin Gaye’s Here, My Dear. With “Rescue,” one of the select few that breaks up the sad content, Tyrese expresses gratitude for a transformative love that has saved him from emotional numbness and isolation. He describes his previous state of being “gone from all the pain” and “hard to turn to stone,” believing he was “better off alone.” However, he acknowledges that he was “drifting on the ocean” and “lost” until his partner “pulled [him] in.” The hook repeatedly affirms that his partner is his “rescue” and that “Nobody else could save [him].”

If you remove everything leading up to the album’s release with what you have seen on social media and not looking at the bigger picture, Tyrese released his most complete album in his twenty-five-year-plus career. The 1998 self-titled LP, I Wanna Go There, and even his previous release, Black Rose, were strong in their respective outing, but his seventh studio release, Beautiful Pain, is a saddening scrutiny of love lost and the lingering effect that follows. He grapples with the aftermath of a profound relationship, oscillating between cherishing the memories and confronting the harsh reality of its end. Tyrese describes his former love as “my beautiful pain,” a paradoxical phrase that captures the bittersweet nature of the experience as evident on the title track: “I’ll always have the scar/To remind me of who you truly are.”

Great (★★★★☆)

Favorite Track(s): “What Happened to Forever,” “Rescue,” “When It Was Over”