Album Review: We Need to Talk: Love by Keri Hilson

Despite the drama, Keri Hilson’s talent has carried her throughout the years, and her latest work suggests she’s focused on her art three-part album release.

Courtesy of Audible Art Club.

Miss Keri, baby! At long last, Keri Hilson has re-entered the entertainment world with new-found energy. Known for her debut album, In a Perfect World, featuring “Energy,” “Slow Dance,” “Knock You Down,” and the catchy “Turnin’ Me On,” and her sophomore release No Boys Allowed, she’s a familiar name in music. Her past includes publicized feuds with other artists, which sparked reactions from the Beyhive and added a dramatic twist to her career. This release's structure is unique—Hilson plans to unveil it in three separate installments. This approach promises a gradual rollout of new music, keeping fans engaged over time. After such a long absence, We Need to Talk, with the first section being Love, represents a bold step forward for the artist.

To kickstart her long-awaited return, “Bae” marks her reintroduction to the music scene. Produced by Mel & Mus, the song carries a polished sound. Its warmth and sweetness shine through “Maybe it’s your fragrance/Wanna kiss you every morning/When you wake up/It’s a vibration…,” painting a picture of calm, passionate love. However, the Hurricane Chris vocal samples get distracting very quickly, and the other track, “Weigh Me Down,” is a dated uptempo track that doesn’t go anywhere other than being there to waste space on this nine-track record. However, everything else is rock solid. The collaboration between Hilson and Method Man creates on “Searchin” a dynamic interplay of voices that builds around Busta Rhymes’ vocal sample on “Victory,” each contributing to the overarching theme of seeking meaningful connections in a world where such bonds can be elusive. Through her evocative language and emotive delivery on the following track, Hilson effectively conveys the magnetic pull between two individuals, making a six-minute upbeat, steamy “Somethin (Bout U)” a highlight on the record.

Hilson’s songwriting captures the intensity of these feelings, blending vulnerability with a sense of urgency, which is the album’s positive. With “Naked (Love),” she strips away the layers of pretense to reveal her true self. The lyrics are an invitation to witness her in a state of raw honesty, as she declares, “I’ma strip off all my clothes, I’ma let you see me.” Among the project’s standouts, she tackles the courage it takes to confront one's own reality, as Hilson sings about taking the “red pill” and choosing to face the truth. Not to be confused with the exact song title on Timbaland’s Shock Value, “Scream” illustrates the intensity of the physical connection between the partners. The song’s content unfolds with an unfiltered portrayal of desire, as Hilson sings about being pushed to the edge of ecstasy (“Every time I get on, baby I'm all over it, all over this room”).

She also conveys a sense of control and agency in the empowering “Whatever,” as she takes charge of her narrative, inviting her partner to experience an intimate connection on her terms. Hilson reflects a desire for mutual affirmation and a fear of unreciprocated feelings on “Say That” over a slow-building beat with guitars coming to play. The song also touches on themes of insecurity and possessiveness (“You're so selfish, ‘cause you get jealous when nobody else comes close to me”) to convey the tension between wanting to be loved and needing reassurance. Will this project win over the naysayers? Probably not. While it’s not breaking the mold for R&B, Keri Hilson still can sing, and her writing blends vulnerability with strength, creating a dynamic portrayal of romantic interaction that is empowering and engaging.

Solid (★★★½☆)

Favorite Track(s): “Naked (Love),” “Somethin (Bout U),” “Scream”