Album Review: Lucky Daye – ‘Table For Two’

Valentine’s Day is oh-so-close, which means its a time for the lovers and those the despise love. It’s also a time for people to get in their feels and put on a particular-playlist or an album that will hit their emotions like a rollercoaster. Just in time, Lucky Daye has delivered the perfect recipe of music to cater to that crowd.

On his third EP, Table For Two, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is on a quest to expose the ins and outs of relationships. Following up his 2019 debut album Painted, Lucky pairs himself with a who’s who in female R&B on the seven tracks that form the project. The set opens with the intro “Ego Trip,” which plays as an online interactive experience that could be a play on online dating and communication. “How Much Can a Heart Take” follows with an opening verse from underrated singer and Grammy-award winner Yebba, finding the two singing about the feeling of what it’s like to have those change of heart moments that can creep up in a relationship. “On Read,” which features one-to-look-out-for Tiana Major9, is pretty self-explanatory – we’ve all been at that point in either the talking stage or relationship where the other person reads the text and leaves your mind wandering like an unwanted cliffhanger when they don’t respond at the time you truly need them.

“It’s s shame tryna force something good that would not be good, be good” sings Lucky and UK singer Mahalia on the mellow “My Window” that has a sound found amongst the UK R&B scene. The track samples Ann Peebles’ “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” which would later be the sample behind Missy Elliott’s breakout 1997 solo debut single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” The interactive intro makes a return in a short interlude that has Lucky trying to press his luck on a dating site only to be denied access. “Access Denied” is somewhat of a little island-vibe where he’s face-to-face with Ari Lennox on the groove that gets inspiration from Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love (Love Song).” Queen Naija lends her sweet vocals on the warm “Dreams,” finding the two not wanting to wake up from a love that feels too real. The track was also previously on Queen’s late-2020 debut album missunderstood.

“Nobody comes before you/There’s no way that you need more/If I’m willing to give you all of me” proclaims the New Orleans-born singer on the bouncy ending track “Falling In Love” featuring up-and-coming singer to be on the watch for, Joyce Wrice. The 90s R&B vibe of the song closes out the project perfectly as it brings home the point of giving love a chance with no fears.

Lucky has always been great at picking his collaborative partners over the years, either on his own works or with others on theirs. Table For Two is no different as he perfectly pairs himself with some great female R&B singers from all different ranges to give the EP a female perspective that balances everything out. At just a little over 23 minutes in total, the 35 year-old is pretty much open to the challenges that comes with love and ready for his own Valentine’s Day boo. Now Lucky can truly reserve a table for two on this solid EP that will have listeners yearning for more music soon.

Table For Two is now available on all streaming platforms and digital music retailers via Keep Cool/RCA Records.