Maybe this is an unfair assessment of Michael Bublé, but he’ll probably be forever known as the guy the Christmas song guy. He even jokingly dissed that reputation on the Graham Norton Show while on press tour for love. If he’s not known for his Christmas songs, he’s known for “Haven’t Met You Yet,” a song going on a decade now that carried him to Grammy-winner status.
To be fair, if there’s a song to be remembered by, a soulful and upbeat anthem of hopeful romance is a good one. Bublé just hasn’t been able to re-ascend to that level.
Nobody But Me produced some solid tracks a couple years ago, and here we are again with love, another fine entry in Bublé’s oeuvre. Fine is all it is, though.
Had love been released in the 60s, it would have it the world on fire. It’s a perfect R&B mixtape. Bublé’s flourishes as a modern crooner do wonders for a few tracks but leave something desired in context of today’s music landscape.
Any other year, seeing an album with “La Vie en rose” would be an instant hit. Bublé sings it as a duet with Cécile McLorin Salvant, a dazzling jazz artist in her own right, but the whole production pales in comparison to Lady Gaga’s A Star is Born rendition.
“When You Smiling,” another classic that’s been covered too many times to count finds itself in Bublé’s hands. It’s probably best known for being used to comedic effect with Mel Torme in Seinfeld, and Bublé doesn’t do any favors for the song itself. Like a number of tracks, it’s a bit over-produced and has his trademark “Let’s go!” to introduce instrumental interludes.
The standout track has to be “My Funny Valentine,” though. It’s not necessarily the best of the album — Bublé’s originals belong in that category — but tonally, it’s completely distinct and feels a bit out of place. Still, it would be a welcome James Bond theme as such a powerful, and mysteriously brooding piece.
Still, there’s little to complain about Bublé’s vocals, and when he dials back the production like with “Such a Night” to update a deep cut from the Four Seasons, love rolls on all cylinders.
For as passionate as he is about classic R&B and crooners, his original tracks are the standouts and best serve the album’s title and goals as a love letter.
Bublé only holds one writing credit with “Forever Now” which harkens back to his prime of Crazy Love, holding back the big band swing, opting for piano paired with a couple of strings. It’s a refreshing ballad in the middle of the track, right on par with the opening song “When I Fall in Love,” the most Bublé-iest track of them all.
It’s a more mature “Haven’t Met You Yet” driven by a Christmas-like orchestral with a mellow and patient Bublé, allowing listeners to really contemplate their own experiences and hopes. Definitely not the earworm like his career-defining chart-topper, but a welcome addition to his oeuvre.
love tries to check off too many boxes but in the end, doesn’t help Bublé prove himself either as a strong enough original voice or even a curator. His boyish charm and voice carry what the whole production cannot, but that’s not enough today.
Overall Grade: 6.5 out of 10
