Lloyd Fights Randy Newman For “Sexiest Release Of The Week” Crown

From time to time, we like to round up the all-important, all-summarizing last sentences of the biggest new-music reviews. This time out, we’re taking a look at writeups for R&B crooner Lloyd’s third album, Lessons in Love, which hits stores today.

• “Lloyd tries to come into his own on smooth ballads like the Bryan-Michael Cox-produced song ‘Year of the Lover’ and “I Can Change Your Life,” a piano-driven song on which he aims to sway a lady from her unstable relationship. Yet, both tracks lack the infectious hit capability as past hits like ‘Get It Shawty.’ ” [AP/Chicago Tribune]

• “Lloyd comes off as randy, rather than skeevy, in part because his music avoids the low-down grind. By current R&B’s slovenly standards, this is brisk stuff. But the crowning element remains Lloyd’s light voice. His flutter offers just the right stroke.” [NY Daily News]

• “Throw in help from Lil Wayne on the irresistible throwback single ‘Girls Around the World’ or playful ’80s references – including the reworking of The Outfield’s power-pop nugget ‘Your Love’ for ‘Lose Your Love’ or the Pet Shop Boys-influenced keyboards on ‘Have My Baby’–and Lessons in Love becomes a class worth taking.” [Newsday]

• “The U. of Love is always in need of good professors. Lloyd is still working on his résumé, though, and he’s not quite ready to assume the Barry White Chair of Romance.” [USA Today]