Although Lloyd’s five-year run with The Inc. initially served as a fitting platform for the street-R&B singer, there was always a sense that his potential reached far beyond what Irv Gotti and company were granting him. Now a cohort of major producer Polow Da Don’s growing Zone 4 camp, Lloyd has access to the tangible elements of music that can help him transition into a more polished artist.
At its best, King Of Hearts displays Lloyd’s growth and likewise improved vocal control that the 25-year-old hadn’t fully acquired on his 2008 release Lessons In Love. From his airy, charming voice effortlessly gliding throughout the infectious “Cupid” 
to his seductive performance complete with a muted trumpet and delicate guitar strums on “Naked,” Lloyd sings within his range and does it with such a confidence that you’d want to give him the R&B crown without deliberation.
It comes as a surprise then when he neglects this insight on “Shake It 4 Daddy” with a tumultuously strained wailing hook that airs on the side of annoying. Though bold in approach, this vocal blunder detracts from Polow’s otherwise upbeat production. With that said, this same courage he has built up also provides him with the inspiration behind “Angel,” arguably the standout track of King Of Hearts. Lloyd has never taken on the task of doing a straight-forward ballad. It’s evident here, however, that the “Southside” crooner is capable of constructing intimate serenades – a style often overlooked in an era of Pop-R&B-Electro records that burn more radio airtime. Suffice to say, he’d be foolish to omit this from his repertoire on future releases.
While it’s clear that Lloyd has a good amount of friends in the music business, a handful of tracks become so cluttered with guests that the end results bear a repeat listen. The enlivened bass thumping on “Bang” can’t save Tity Boi’s staccato rhymes, Lloyd’s allusions to Chef Boyardee, nor the flagrant verse from Salo that aimlessly attempts to copy Nicki Minaj. Then on “Luv Me Girl,” Lloyd is outshined by R&B counterpart Chris Brown as they both use the same uninspired delivery to lure girls from the club to their bedroom. Pile on a repetitive hook and the record is ripe for the recycle bin in the left hand corner of your screen. The album-closing “World Cry” goes off the deep end as Keri Hilson, R. Kelly and K’naan join together for an out-of-place performance that sounds like it was sponsored by Red Cross. In retrospect, Lloyd would have been better off with another between-the-sheets type of record like “Lay It Down” than insufficiently taking on a socio-political stance.
More sexual than sensual, King Of Hearts fulfills the bare minimum of love, lust and heartbreak, all the while showcasing Young Goldie’s affinity for the female body. He still hasn’t entered into the same reliable pantheon that has made the likes of Trey Songz, The-Dream and Usher trustworthy acts, but with glimpses of him singing beyond his years, Lloyd is closer now than he ever was.
what about shabazz palaces new LP review instead this shit
sean u joker!
watch that clip …
you have to see whats real music is and what LPs you need to review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djFrCb03-OI&feature=relmfu
I love R&B but this is pretty terrible compared to Lloyds other albums. There is maybe 3 songs worth actually listening to in my opinion.
Armor of God drops, Planet C.O.B. drops, Salvation drops…and DX reviews an album worse than any of these just to notice that it’s pretty lame!
The songs I’ve heard thus far sound good. I give it to young Lloyd, he’s come a long way and he’s entertained effectively in my opinion. He may not be Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Mario or Usher’s match but he holds his own. He needs a few more hits and better song writers along with a variety of R&B producers………..better luck next time Lloyd.
Lloyds king of heart album is a 4.5 at least. Whoever wrote this article sucks ass. Im a DJ and R & B is wack in todays world. The World cry track is hot. About time someone starts trying to make sense. Instead of making this rappers think waht they are saying is okay and glorifying that bull. Yep. Im from the old school
yes i agree totally. Many artists stray from good R&B songs but Lloyd has remained consistent to form while his vocals have gotten better over time. GREAT ALBUM
It’s a great album to me. So is the rest of his albums
Fresh beats and good voice, enough for a good mainstream RnB album !
This is me, and I don’t give a fuck about Lloyd.
Lloyd Is The Best.. He Has Crazy Vocals..Best Voice In Music. King Of Hearts Is A Great Album..Hands Down Point Blank Period Start To Finish Album Is Super Hot..
Lloyd Is The Best.. He Has Crazy Vocals..Best Voice In Music. King Of Hearts Is A Great Album..Hands Down Point Blank Period Start To Finish Album Is Super Hot
Lloyd Is The Best..He Has Great Crazy Vocals..Best Voice In Music. King Of Hearts Is A Great Album..Hands Down Point Blank Period Start To Finish Album Is Super Hot
Lloyd Has The Greatest Vocals.. This is a Great Album Hands Down from start to finish..Every Song.. I cant stop listenig to it..Great Album From A Great Artist
lloyd is underated !!!!
im gona download this…if its good then i’ll buy it lol. but 2 songs ive heard sounds pretty good.
I like all 3 but the third is real good
Everyone has their opinions of which songs Lloyd should have or should not have put on the album and every writer thinks he’s got the answer..BUT this album is DA BEST HANDS DOWN of any R&B counterpart in his lane! Keep up da good work LLoyd. THIS album is nothing less than amazing!!!
I really loved this album! It was a mix of all the old things I’ve loved from past albums and new things I really like, too. This really showed maturity. GO BUY THIS!!! (Deluxe Explicit, of course)
Lloyd always delivers and has grown tremendously. You can not deny the infectiousness of the beats and his vocal ability shines through on this album. King of Hearts is a great addition to your collection and I highly recommend getting the deluxe edition because the bonus tracks are excellent.
I think that this album deserves nothing less than 5! From Southside to King Of Hearts Lloyd has shown growth as an artist. You can listen to this album straight through without skipping a track! Taking risks by adding songs like Dedication To My Ex and Shake It 4 Daddy which have some risky lyrics shows that he can make songs outside of the slow love making songs. World Cry is an amazing track which once again is something we are not used to hearing from Lloyd and i think that’s what makes this album a great one. He shows diversity in all his songs. None are the same in sound. As far as the features on the album i think that it just added to the enjoyment of listening to it. Lloyd was not outshined by any of the features he added. And for the record Salo isn’t copying Nicki Minaj, when i hear her voice she actually reminds me of Fergie. Overall King Of Hearts is a great album with the features and diversity of songs that adds to the quality making it even better. Lloyd is Sooooo underated and this album deserves a 5!
King Of Hearts Is Amazing Album..Lloyd’s vocals are incredible in every song.Lloyd is a great, true artist who has always stayed to true to his music and fans. Lloyd never conforms to what radio,other artist, media, records label consider real music (which is whatever sales records). Lloyd makes real R&B Music..Lloyd is a different artist then Chris Brown, Trey Songs, Usher, but Vocally Lloyds Kills All 3 of them. Lloyd is not mainstream, hes to talented to be just mainstream. King Of Hearts gives variety from Naked sensual and Be The One street. Over Great Album Hands Down Period.. Best Voice In Music Period..
I can honestly say that King of Hearts is the BEST ALBUM out this summer!!!! I have not yet stopped listening to the album. Its on constant repeat everyday all day!!! Soulful, sensual,and sexy altogether in one amazing album. Real R&B at its finest!!! Very talented and yet charming to the max 🙂 I must advise evryone who does not have the album please go and buy it!!!
I like turtles
this some ggay shit
Fuck outta here.
How can we ban this man from making music? I miss Irv Gotti.
The only song worth listening to is cupid
you must not be a true lloyd fan
Average album, not as good as the Young Goldie EP he released prior. Only songs worth listening to are Bang and This Is 4 My Baby..and I was a big Lloyd fan
LOOOOOOve Lloyd’s music R&B is just not the same anymore he’s 1 of the few left. I woulden’t be me if i didn’t keep it 100 i love all of his albums but my all time favorite is Street Love!! But this is hot though i rate it 4 stars. I also wanna say this albun is alot different then the others.
It was cool.