LOVEHATE - THE DREAM
R&B rookie the Dream has already proved adept at penning ultra-catchy tunes. Exhibit A: Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Exhibit B: J. Holiday’s “Bed.” The same elements that made those songs such irresistible hits are what make this singer/songwriter’s debut so impressive: lingering melodies, plenty of “ehs” and even a few “ellas.” Realizing that repetition is the key to catchiness, Dream transforms the simplest phrases (”Playin’ in her hair,” “Shawty is a 10!”) into memorable, sometimes unconventional hooks, bound by steady drums and “FutureSex” synthesizers. Such cuts as “Falsetto” and “Purple Kiss” reflect his sultry side. And like labelmate Ne-Yo, Dream knows to avoid cliche. Where others might go the nursery rhyme route, he opts for multisyllable mouthfuls and metaphors. Minus the last two tracks, one a Rihanna duet, “LoveHate” is a disc sure to stick in your head.
