Sex & Cigarettes

As a big Toni Braxton fan, naturally, I was excited when I heard the news of a new album.

 “Sex & Cigarettes” is Ms Braxton’s ninth album and her first solo project since 2014’s duet album “ Love, Marriage and Divorce” with Babyface. The album news came months after there was speculation that Braxton was involved with legendary hip-hop giant Birdman. There were even talks that their involvement was the inspiration behind the album and a few songs on it. The album features only eight songs which seem relatively short. However, each song packs a punch and has you falling in love with Ms Braxton’s unique voice all over again. I sat with the album for a while and here are my thoughts on each song. 

1. DEADWOOD -  This was the first single from the album. I personally love songs that have a heavy string lead and I think that some of Toni Braxton's best songs follow suit. This song has a heavy guitar and violin lead and I adore it. There's just something about those two instruments and Toni's voice that just gel extremely well. She sounds amazing as usual. Her tone is rich as it glides over the bass and it just keeps giving. The melody and the hook are very catchy, so it's not a hard song to sing along to. My favourite song on the album. 

2. SEX & CIGARETTES - Whoever this song is about, they got Toni out here cussing. When I first heard this song, I was taken aback because I'm like I don't know how I feel about all this profanity. This is a sad little ballad that floats over keys and violins. The lyrics feel like they could be a follow up to another Toni song, "Talking In His Sleep". It's very grown up and relatable. Overall, Toni sounds great but the song had to grow on me. 

3. LONG AS I LIVE - The second single off of the album. This seems to be most people's favourite. It has a very two-step feel to it and it's very bass driven. I like the song. It's a fun and upbeat sad love song. At first, I was a bit confused and especially after the video. I thought this is an "I got my heart broken" song, but you don't really think about that because you're jamming. I'm assuming that was the intent of the makers of the song. 

4. FOH - Do you know how over it someone has to be to tell you to get the f*ck outta here?? This song is basically what you all in a relationship be talking about on Twitter. When you text your significant other and they take forever to respond and all kind of mess start going through your head and then you get yourselves all worked up until you're just like f*ck it. It's funny really. I thought those things were only a thing for young people, but apparently, they aren't. 

5. SORRY -  I like the drums on this one. A simpler song compared to the others. I hear horns in the background which all a little funk to the beat. Not much else to say about it. 

6. MY HEART (feat. COLBIE CAILLAT) - Another favourite of mine. Again, very stringy. I love the melody and the background vocals. This song is probably the most "Toni Braxton" of all the songs on the album. Considering that Babyface had a hand in the writing and production, it comes as no surprise. It has that old school Toni vocal and feel, but it sounds new if you get what I'm saying. A jam. 

7. COPING - I feel like this song could be on one of those dance DJ's albums. I could see it being on like a David Guetta or Calvin Harris album. It's a new sound for Toni and I like that she's versatile enough to fit this new sound so well. Another favourite.

8. MISSIN' - Another song that I could be a pop crossover. It has that light upbeat rhythm that could easily be one of those songs you hear when you go shopping. Change the lyrics a little bit and maybe pick up the speed and it's a certified bop. Just like "Coping", it's a new sound for Toni and I like that she was willing to give it an honest try, because she nailed it. 

Overall, I think this album was a great project. It's short compared to her other albums, but it gets straight to the point and it does not disappoint. I love that Toni experimented with new styles and sounds for this album. It's great to see her versatile abilities and it just proves that she can keep up with the changes in music but still remain true to the thing that we loved about Toni Braxton in the first place. Her voice sounds as great as ever and I hope to see her live the next time she comes back to NYC. "Sex & Cigarettes" is a solid effort and I for one am glad that Ms Braxton is back making music and enjoying herself while doing so. And who knows, maybe after she and Baby get married, she'll be inspired to put out another project as good as this one.