Keri Hilson | We Need to Talk: Love Review

By Bea Willis

Keri Hilson’s legacy as an R&B powerhouse is multifaceted. Known for penning chart-toppers in the early 2000s and later finding solo success with tracks like “Knock You Down,” Hilson vanished from the spotlight after No Boys Allowed, a project that revolved around her lyrical assertiveness and vocal confidence. The gap between that release and We Need to Talk: Love reflects personal evolution and shifting industry tides. In a landscape now dominated by SZA, H.E.R., and Summer Walker, Hilson enters with the weight of production agility and contemporary R&B.

Across the album, Hilson exhibits a vocal palette that is in line with the present-day R&B sound, with effects and processing. Her timbre remains silky and nuanced, with an upper-register control that evokes emotion. On “Bae,” she threads melodic motifs over a syncopated trap-inspired beat, using melismatic turns sparingly.

Tracks like “Somethin (Bout U),” a mid-tempo ballad with retro-soul leanings, show her ability to inhabit a lyric emotionally. Her phrasing uses subtle vibrato and breathy textures. Relative to her past albums, Hilson now leans less on vocal acrobatics and more on storytelling through tone. The sass of “Scream” has transformed into something that combines electro-pop and R&B, soulful, grounded, and steeped in experience.

The album’s thematic core rests in the complexity of relationships. “Weigh Me Down” navigates ambiguity with lines like, “Head in the cloud, feet off ground, This love is everything right now,” energized with connections and desire, touching on physical love with poise.

Hilson will embrace cliché if it offers textured phrases that suggest emotional intelligence. “Say That” is especially strong, using layered metaphors to paint a relationship’s presence.

The album weaves analog warmth with modern elements like sub-bass drops and stuttering hi-hats. “Searchin” uses glitched vocal samples as part of its harmonic landscape, merging form with content in compelling ways.

Mixed by a team including Tony Maserati and Jaycen Joshua, the sound is polished without being sterile. The vocal sits center-stage without losing texture, ideal for how to shape a mix for clarity. “Grateful (Intro)” stands out as the album’s daring production moment. With chopped-and-screwed effects and an synth line that flirts with avant-R&B while still remaining accessible.

We Need to Talk: Love is a articulate return for Keri Hilson. It avoids chasing trends and instead offers listeners a vocal technique that is refined with songwriting and production that hybridized for a today’s contemporary R&B sound.

Artist: Keri Hilson
Album: We Need to Talk: Love
Label: Audible Art Club / Create Music Group

Release Date: April 18, 2025

About the author

Bea Willis

Author

With an unwavering passion for music that began at the tender age of five, I embarked on a journey of self-expression through the piano, later expanding my repertoire to the guitar and the art of singing. As a seasoned performer in cozy coffee shops and harmonious choir ensembles, I've immersed myself in the diverse tapestry of musical genres, seeking to uncover the intricate qualities that strike a chord within our souls.

Beyond my personal experiences, my journalistic pursuits have led me to explore the stories and inspirations behind the melodies we hold dear. As a music journalist, I aim to delve into the heart of each composition, shedding light on the creative minds that have shaped the soundscape of our lives.

In my downtime, you can find me serenading my loyal canine companion with heartfelt tunes on the guitar or indulging in retail therapy to enhance my ever-growing wardrobe. Songwriting holds a special place in my heart, and I yearn for the day when I can share my creative talents with the world. Until then, my passion for uncovering the emotional power within music continues to drive my insightful reviews and analyses, as I journey through the rich landscape of melodies that move us.