{{Use American English|date=February 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox album | name = LoveLaws | type = studio | artist = TT | cover = TT - LoveLaws.jpg | alt = An image of a woman leaning backwards on a wooden chair in front of a beige-colored wall. Her arms are suspended; her right foot is missing a shoe. Uppercase text in a black serif font above her reads "TT". | released = {{Start date|2018|05|18}} | recorded = 2010–2018 | studio = *House on the Hill (Los Angeles) *Mr. Dan's (London) | genre = *Downtempo<ref name="kalx">{{cite web|url=https://www.kalx.berkeley.edu/news/kalx-weblog-theresa-wayman-tt-interview|title=KALX WEBLOG: Theresa Wayman (TT) Interview|work=KALX|publisher=Regents of the University of California|last=Phoenix|first=Stormy|date=July 11, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> *trip hop<ref name="hp">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/forbidden-fruit-2018-hot-press-meets-warpaint-ahead-of-the-festival-22464535|title=Forbidden Fruit 2018: Hot Press meets Warpaint ahead of the festival|work=Hot Press|publisher=Osnovina|last=McGoran|first=Peter|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> *electronica<ref name="law">{{cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/the-best-local-indie-rock-punk-albums-of-2018-10117145|title=The Best Local Indie Rock/Punk Albums of 2018|work=LA Weekly|publisher=Semanal Media|last1=James|first1=Falling|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> *art pop<ref name="aoty">{{cite web|url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/genre/141-art-pop/2018/american-songwriter/|title=American Songwriter's Best Pop Albums of 2018|work=Album of the Year|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | length = {{Duration|m=40|s=44}} | label = LoveLeaks | producer = *Theresa Wayman *Ivan Wayman *Dan Carey *Money Mark | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = LoveLaws | type = studio | single1 = Love Leaks | single1date = March 7, 2018 | single2 = I've Been Fine | single2date = April 5, 2018 | single3 = The Dream | single3date = May 4, 2018 }} }} '''''LoveLaws''''' is the debut studio album by the American musician Theresa Wayman. It was released under the pseudonym TT on May 18, 2018 on LoveLeaks, Wayman's own imprint. Produced over an eight-year period, ''LoveLaws'' style deviates from the music she created as a member of the indie rock band Warpaint and features a more electronic sound influenced by downtempo and trip hop. The album's lyrics explore several themes relating to the concept of love, including motherhood, self-empowerment and both romantic and platonic love.
Wayman self-produced ''LoveLaws'' with her brother Ivan, with additional production contributions from Dan Carey and Money Mark. It was recorded in several locations, including Wayman's home studio and Warpaint's personal studio in the United States and Carey's studio in London, England. Wayman only performed a small number of dates in the U.S. and England in support of ''LoveLaws''{{'}} release, including appearances at Amoeba Music and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Further promotion for ''LoveLaws'' included online sessions for Baeble Music in the US, Revista Martin in Mexico and Matches Fashion in England. Critical response to the album was largely positive.
==Background== Theresa Wayman initially began learning piano as a child, aged 10, in Eugene, Oregon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voxamps.com/Warpaint|title=Theresa Wayman of Warpaint|work=Vox|date=April 2011|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> After she "dabbled in guitar" as a teenager, Wayman "got really serious" about music and songwriting, learning both guitar and drums by 21-years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://altmusic.about.com/od/interviews/a/Interview-Theresa-Wayman-Of-Warpaint.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115041958/http://altmusic.about.com/od/interviews/a/Interview-Theresa-Wayman-Of-Warpaint.htm|title=Warpaint Interview – An Interview with Theresa Wayman of Warpaint|work=About.com|publisher=IAC|last=Carew|first=Anthony|date=November 24, 2010|archive-date=January 15, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> In 2004 she formed the indie rock band Warpaint in Los Angeles, California, with whom she released three studio albums—''The Fool'' (2010), ''Warpaint'' (2014) and ''Heads Up'' (2016)—to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/person/warpaint|title=Warpaint Music Profile|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
In 2010 Wayman began the process of composing and recording solo material by "daydreaming about making music" using ideas that were "brewing since [she] was a teenager".<ref name="aur">{{cite web|url=http://music.theaureview.com/interviews/interview-theresa-wayman-opens-up-and-explores-emotional-terrain-with-solo-album-lovelaws/|title=Interview: Theresa Wayman opens up and explores emotional terrain with solo album ''LoveLaws''|work=The AU Review|publisher=Heath Media|last=Fuamoli|first=Sosefina|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref><ref name="lmt">{{cite web|url=https://thelastmixedtape.com/2018/05/14/interview-it-was-a-personal-journey-expressing-a-different-side-of-myself-theresa-wayman-talks-to-tlmt-about-her-solo-album-lovelaws/|title=Interview | "It was a personal journey, expressing a different side of myself" Theresa Wayman talks to TLMT about her solo album 'LoveLaws'|work=The Last Mixed Tape|last=White|first=Stephen|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> She subsequently began learning to use the digital audio workstation Logic Pro by Apple, utilizing the application's drum machines and creating loops. Among the earliest tracks written by Wayman was an embryonic version of "The Dream".<ref name="aur" />
Since Wayman was not signed to a record label as a solo artist, she was "free to experiment in whichever direction [she] wanted to" with her initial ideas for ''LoveLaws'', as there was no release deadline to meet. She subsequently spent a further eight years writing and recording ideas for the album, which she called a "luxury".<ref name="axs">{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/interview-warpaint-s-theresa-wayman-releases-solo-effort-lovelaws-130944|title=Interview: Warpaint's Theresa Wayman releases solo effort 'LoveLaws'|work=AXS|publisher=The Anschutz Corporation|last=Teo-Blockey|first=Celine|date=July 8, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> Describing the situation, Wayman said: <blockquote>"Usually I'm up against time and money [but] with this, I didn't have that pressure. I did get to set things aside and wait to see how I felt about them later; if they had a longer shelf life then I knew it was right."<ref name="aur" /></blockquote>
==Recording== {{multiple image | total_width = 350 | footer = Wayman (''left'') was ''LoveLaws''{{'}} main producer, as well as her brother Ivan. Dan Carey and Money Mark (''right'') co-produced and performed on two tracks each. | image1 = Warpaint at SPIN party at Stubb's SXSW 2014--17 (15658118750).jpg | alt1 = A brown-haired woman onstage sings into a microphone held in her right hand. | image2 = MoneyMarkGuitar.jpg | alt2 = A man in sunglasses onstage performs on an electric guitar. }} ''LoveLaws'' was recorded intermittently over an eight-year period from 2010 to 2018 in various locations,<ref name="lovelaws">{{cite AV media notes|title=LoveLaws|others=TT (Theresa Wayman)|year=2018|type=Album notes|publisher=LoveLeaks|id=LL001CD}}</ref> including Wayman's home studio;<ref name="am">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tt-mn0003298924/biography|title=TT | Biography & History|work=AllMusic|publisher=RhythmOne|last=Buchanan|first=John D.|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> House on the Hill, Warpaint's personal studio in downtown Los Angeles, California; and Mr. Dan's, Dan Carey{{'}}s studio in London, England. Wayman was the album's main producer, with further co-production from her brother Ivan and Carey, both of whom also performed as multi-instrumentalists. Ivan Wayman co-produced eight tracks; Carey co-produced two ("I've Been Fine" and "Too Sweet").<ref name="lovelaws" />
Beastie Boys collaborator Mark Ramos Nishita (Money Mark) was brought in by Wayman during the later sessions for the album. Instead of rearranging or reproducing the existing tracks, he and Wayman spent the sessions "just jamming", with Money Mark instead contributing "some really beautiful lines" that Wayman could then cut and paste throughout the album. Money Mark co-produced two tracks ("Love Leaks" and "Tutorial") and contributed electric piano on "Tutorial" and the synthesizer line in the chorus of "Love Leaks", which Wayman then further rearranged as the song's introduction.<ref name="axs" />
All three other members of Warpaint were also part of the ''LoveLaws'' recording process. "Take One" features bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg, who Wayman instructed "to go crazy" during the song's instrumental bridge; "Safe" features drummer Stella Mozgawa, who Wayman "asked for some input" and who contributed synthesizers and drum fills;<ref name="diy1">{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2018/05/16/tt-i-used-the-pain-as-an-art-form-instead-of-letting-it-distract-me-from-my-music|title=TT: "I used the pain as an art form instead of letting it distract me from my music" | Features|work=DIY|publisher=Sonic Media Group|last=Siregar|first=Cady|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> and "Too Sweet" features vocalist Emily Kokal singing "made of a lover", a lyric previously used on the Warpaint song "Biggy" from the band's eponymous second studio album four years prior.<ref name="lovelaws" />
Wayman spent the final year-and-a-half of the ''LoveLaws''{{'}} production taking "all the bits and pieces" produced since 2010 "and putting it together" with Ivan.<ref name="fj">{{cite web|url=https://fashionjournal.com.au/music/15-minutes-warpaints-theresa-wayman-solo-project-tt/|title=Warpaint's Theresa Wayman talks us through her solo project TT|work=Fashion Journal|publisher=Furst Media|last=Oswald|first=Eve|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> "Safe", which begins with a dialogue between a man and a woman whose voices are reversed, was originally intended to include sampled dialogue from a scene in Alfred Hitchcock{{'}}s 1954 film ''Rear Window''. Wayman said "it matched up perfectly" and "felt like it had to be there",<ref name="axs" /> but was ultimately replaced by dialogue recorded by Pete Checkvala and Wayman.<ref name="lovelaws" /> The final sessions with Ivan included the rerecording of several of the album's vocal tracks; the final song to be completed was "The Dream".<ref name="axs" /> ''LoveLaws'' was subsequently mixed by Ivan and Shawn Everett and mastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters in Los Angeles.<ref name="lovelaws" />
==Composition== {{quote box|width=30em|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|align=left|"I think it’s a mood album. Like having a fireplace on. You can put it on and pay attention to it or just have it on in the background and feel good."|source=—Theresa Wayman describing ''LoveLaws''<ref name="dj">{{cite web|url=http://dujour.com/culture/warpaint-theresa-wayman-debut-solo-album-lovelaws-interview/|title=Interview with Warpaint's Theresa Wayman on Debut Solo Album: Warpaint's Theresa Wayman Gets Dreamy|work=DuJour|publisher=DuJour Media|last=Caminiti|first=Kasey|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>}}
''LoveLaws'' contains ten tracks, nine of which were written by Wayman. Of the nine tracks she penned, two were co-written with collaborators. "Mykki", the album's opener, was co-written with her brother Ivan Wayman and Joe Base; "Dram" was co-written with Ivan. One track ("Sassafras Interlude") was written and performed by Ludivine Anneliz, also known as "Sassafras". A multi-instrumentalist, Wayman performed several instruments on the album, including guitar, bass, synthesizers, samplers, piano, electric organ and both acoustic and digital drums.<ref name="lovelaws" />
''LoveLaws''{{'}} musical style has been noted for deviating from Wayman's "rather guitar-heavy roots" in Warpaint,<ref name="aur" /> with more of an emphasis on samples, "dark and moody synths",<ref name="diy1" /> "sparse beats" and "Lynchian electronic noise";<ref name="lmt" /> Wayman herself has described the album as "a lot more electronic … and maybe more gentle" than Warpaint's sound.<ref name="bm">{{cite web|url=https://www.baeblemusic.com/concert-video/baeble-hq/tt.html|title=Video: A Baeble NEXT Session With TT|work=Baeble Music|publisher=Baeble Media|date=April 4, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> In particular, Wayman has cited the use of soundscapes by trip hop bands Portishead and Massive Attack as an influence on the album's sound,<ref name="mfau">{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/were-always-juggling-racing-to-the-finish-line-warpaints-theresa-wayman-on-musicianship-motherhood-yearning-for-the-right-answers/|title='We're Always Juggling & Racing To The Finish Line': Warpaint's Theresa Wayman On Musicianship, Motherhood & 'Yearning' For The Right Answers|work=Music Feeds|last=Wehner|first=Cyclone|date=May 15, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> as well as soul artists Al Green and Sade,<ref name="fm">{{cite web|url=http://fault-magazine.com/2018/06/fault-in-conversation-with-warpaints-theresa-tt-wayman/|title=In conversation with Warpaint's Theresa 'TT' Wayman|work=FAULT Magazine|last=Parkes|first=Jennifer|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> and the Icelandic musician Björk.<ref name="mfau" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/arts/2018/05/25/news/warpaint-guitarist-theresa-wayman-tells-us-about-her-debut-solo-album-lovelaws-1336005/|title=Warpaint guitarist Theresa Wayman tells us about her debut solo album LoveLaws|work=The Irish News|last=Nerssessian|first=Joe|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> Wayman dubbed the album's genre as "bedroom folk"<ref name="cz">{{cite web|url=http://controlzine.com/interviews/interview-theresa-wayman-tt-warpaint/|title=Interview | Theresa Wayman (TT, Warpaint)|work=Control|last=Kissane|first=Ash|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> while several publications have described it as downtempo,<ref name="kalx" /><ref name="fj" /> trip hop,<ref name="hp" /><ref name="axs" /> electronica,<ref name="law" /><ref name="am" /> and art pop.<ref name="aoty" /> Wayman, although stressing she did not consider ''LoveLaws'' a work of ambient music, said that the album "fulfills the definition of ambient music in the sense that it's very mood driven and creates something to feel and think to and experience on a physical level."<ref name="cz" />
Initially, Wayman wrote stream of consciousness-style lyrics for the songs on ''LoveLaws'' and avoided "revising music or lyrics in the pursuit of a raw, unfussy sound." However, during the process of "polishing ideas" for the final versions, she reworked several lyrics,<ref name="bm" /> approaching them by "wondering about … how to reconcile these different aspects of my life that don't necessarily go together".<ref name="aaa">{{cite web|url=https://aaabackstage.com/interview-tt/|title=Interview: TT|work=AAA Backstage|publisher=GD FRNDS|last=Mathison|first=Emily|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> Wayman attributed the life-change of becoming a mother to her approach to songwriting with a newfound energy, acknowledging "It makes me get closer to the dreams I’ve always had. It makes me remember who I really am."<ref name ="diy">{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2018/05/16/tt-i-used-the-pain-as-an-art-form-instead-of-letting-it-distract-me-from-my-music|title=TT: "I used the pain as an art form instead of letting it distract me from my music"|work=DIY Mag |publisher=DIY|last=Siregar|first=Cady|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> Originally the songs on ''LoveLaws'' were "break-up ballads and aspirational love songs", which Wayman claims were her "romanticizing about having the perfect relationship when in real life, I wasn't able to have any relationship". Over the course of writing, the songs' subjects and themes "naturally expanded to include different influences",<ref name="dj" /> including motherhood,<ref name="axs" /><ref name="dj" /> self-empowerment,<ref name="dj" /><ref name="cz" /> and self-love.<ref name="lmt" /><ref name="dj" /> Wayman confirmed the overarching lyrical themes of ''LoveLaws'' as romantic love, but emphasised that "it's all kinds of facets of [love]",<ref name="bm" /> including platonic friendships and the concept of unconditional love, both "of the past and what [she had] been going through".<ref name="cz" /> Wayman's lyrics have been noted for their "emotional openness",<ref name="axs" /> which she herself commented on, claiming the album as a whole "evokes emotion more than being an intellectual album."<ref name="aaa" />
==Release== ''LoveLaws'' was released on May 18, 2018 in the United States and Europe on LoveLeaks, Wayman's own imprint, and distributed by Caroline International.<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/03/theresa-wayman-warpaint-solo-album-lovelaws-love-leaks-stream/|title= Warpaint's Theresa Wayman Announces Debut Solo Album LoveLaws as TT, Releases "Love Leaks"|work=Spin|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|last=Gaca|first=Anna|date=March 7, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> The album was made available for streaming and digital download on several online services and issued on CD in both regions. A limited-edition rose-colored gatefold LP was released only in Europe.<ref name="rt">{{cite web|url=https://roughtrade.com/gb/music/tt-lovelaws|title=TT – LoveLaws|work=Rough Trade|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> A Japanese CD pressing was distributed by Hostess Entertainment Unlimited and included a bonus track, "So To Be Forgot".<ref name="jp">{{cite web|url=http://hostess.co.jp/releases/2018/05/HSU-10188.html|title=LoveLaws|work=Hostess Entertainment Unlimited|language=Japanese|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> ''LoveLaws''{{'}} artwork was designed by Wayman, featuring photography by Delaram Pourabdi.<ref name="lovelaws" /> Explaining the album's title, Wayman said she thought of it as "a good concept to build an album from. I was feeling ruled by love and romance, and also seeing love as being a fundamental of life in so many ways."<ref name="fm" />
An album launch was held at Everyman Kings Cross in London four days prior to ''LoveLaws''{{'}} official release. Hosted by Pitchblack Playback, a company who host album listening sessions in a pitch-black environment, the event included a question-and-answers session with Wayman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.everymancinema.com/film-info/pitchblack-playback-tt-lovelaws-premiere-qa|title=Pitchblack Playback: TT 'LoveLaws' Premiere + Q&A|work=Everyman Cinemas|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> In further promotion of the album, Wayman performed online sessions for Baeble Music in the US,<ref name="bm" /> Revista Martin in Mexico,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92jSyJePac|title=#MarvinEncore presenta a TT|trans-title="#MarvinEncore presents TT"|work=YouTube|publisher=Alphabet|author=Revista Martin|language=Spanish|date=March 7, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> and Matches Fashion in England between March and October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.matchesfashion.com/intl/5carlosplace/watch?film=theresa-wayman-warpaint|title=5 Carlos Place: Watch: Theresa Wayman, Warpaint|work=Matches Fashion|publisher=Apax Partners|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> She also appeared as a guest and performed on BBC Radio 4{{'}}s ''Woman's Hour''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09y6zbr|title=''Woman's Hour'': Xanax, Warpaint, Prison, Period taboo|work=BBC Radio 4|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
Three singles were released from ''LoveLaws''. The lead single, "Love Leaks", was released on March 7, 2018—the day the album was announced.<ref name="spin" /> The second single, "I've Been Fine", was released on April 5 with an accompanying music video directed by both Wulf Anderson and Wayman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2018/04/05/news/tt-aka-warpaint-member-theresa-wayman-releases-new-video-for-ive-been-fine|title=TT AKA Warpaint Member Theresa Wayman Releases New Video for "I've Been Fine"|work=mxdwn|last=Turner|first=Ashley|date=April 5, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> The third and final single, "The Dream", was released on May 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2018/05/04/news/tt-theresa-wayman-releases-ethereal-new-song-the-dream/|title=TT (Theresa Wayman) Releases Ethereal New Song "The Dream"|work=mxdwn|last=Lyle|first=Gina|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
Wayman made a conscious decision to not continuously tour in promotion of ''LoveLaws'', citing the struggles of Warpaint's constant touring as a reason.<ref name="cz" /> She instead performed a small, six-date tour of England from May 17 to 23, 2018 supporting Nick Mulvey and performing a headline show at the Pickle Factory in London;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicandriots.com/tt-theresa-wayman-of-warpaint-shares-new-video-for-ive-been-fine/|title=TT (Theresa Wayman of Warpaint) Shares New Video For "I've Been Fine"|work=Music&Riots|date=April 5, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> the following week, ''LoveLaws'' placed at number 38 on the United Kingdom's Official Record Store Chart.<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20180525/530|title=Official Record Store Chart Top 40: 25 May 2018 - 31 May 2018|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> Several small shows in California were subsequently announced between June and October, including appearances at MOCA Music at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Amoeba Music in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moca.org/program/moca-music-tt-featuring-theresa-wayman-from-warpaint-wives|title=TT featuring Theresa Wayman from Warpaint, WIVES (Brooklyn), Current Joys, and Honey Power DJs|work=MOCA Music|publisher=Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/upcoming/detail-4455/|title=Live Shows at Amoeba – Upcoming Shows – TT (Theresa Wayman of Warpaint)|work=Amoeba Music|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Music ratings <!-- Aggregate scores --> | ADM = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9365/TT-LoveLaws.aspx|title=LoveLaws by TT reviews|work=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | MC = 70/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/lovelaws/tt|title=LoveLaws by TT Reviews and Tracks|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> <!-- Reviewers --> | rev1 = ''American Songwriter'' | rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="as">{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2018/05/tt-lovelaws/|title=TT: ''LoveLaws''|work=American Songwriter|publisher=ForASong Media|last=Horowitz|first=Hal|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Clash'' | rev2score = 7/10<ref name="cm">{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/tt-lovelaws|title=TT – LoveLaws | Reviews|work=Clash|publisher=Music Republic|last=Gray|first=Josh|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev3 = ''DIY'' | rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="diy2">{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2018/05/18/tt-lovelaws-album-review|title=TT – LoveLaws | Reviews|work=DIY|publisher=Sonic Media Group|last=Wright|first=Lisa|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Hot Press'' | rev4score = 6/10<ref name="hp2">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/album-review-ilovelawsi-tt-22287025|title=Album Review: ''LoveLaws'', TT|work=Hot Press|publisher=Osnovina|last=Steiger|first=Sam|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev5score = 7/10<ref name="lobf">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/theresa-wayman-reapplies-the-warpaint-on-an-impressive-solo-debut|title=TT – ''LoveLaws'' | Album Review|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=May 12, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Loud and Quiet'' | rev6score = 8/10<ref name="laq">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/tt-lovelaws/|title=TT – LoveLaws – Album review|work=Loud and Quiet|last=Gatward|first=Tristan|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/tt-lovelaws-review|title=TT – 'LoveLaws' Review|work=NME|publisher=TI Media|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Q'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="qm">{{cite journal|title=TT – LoveLaws|journal=Q|publisher=Bauer Media Group|issue=July 2018|page=118}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Skinny'' | rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="ts">{{cite web|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/tt-lovelaws|title=TT album review: LoveLaws|work=The Skinny|publisher=Radge Media|last=Hawthorne|first=Katie|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> }} Upon its release ''LoveLaws'' received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 70, based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="mc" /> ''Clash'' writer Josh Gray praised ''LoveLaws'' as "refreshingly honest"—in particular its lyrical "frankness" and "intimacy"—but criticized the album as "more of a messy entry scrawled across the pages of a personal diary than it is a pristine, thought-out postcard". Gray summarized that "occasionally [the album's] composition feels scrappy or unfinished, but this doesn’t particularly mar the experience of listening to it", rating it seven out of ten.<ref name="cm" /> In a four-out-of-five-star review for ''DIY'', Lisa Wright drew comparisons to Warpaint's releases and said ''LoveLaws'' "feel familiar yet riddled with something slightly sadder", concluding that the album was "an even more personal exploration of [Wayman's] affective talents."<ref name="diy2" />
''Hot Press'' rated ''LoveLaws'' six out of ten, with Sam Steiger writing that "the overall mood is claustrophobic—the aural equivalent of a deep-sea journey … Enveloped in icy, Stygian depths, the sounds resonate with exaggerated meaning"; Steiger called the resulting sound "cool, downbeat and languid."<ref name="hp2" /> Writing for ''The Line of Best Fit'', Ross Horton referred to ''LoveLaws'' as "a resounding success", praised the album's "mastery of dynamics" and selected "The Dream" as the album's highlight, calling it "a groovy, down-tempo banger with thudding percussion sounds, densely layered atmospherics and Wayman's distinctive murmur"; Horton awarded the album a seven-out-of-ten rating.<ref name="lobf" /> ''Loud and Quiet'' reviewer Tristan Gatward called ''LoveLaws'' "a resounding and devastating collection of songs about motherhood, loneliness and romance in an unromantic age" and "lyrically astute pop with shattering confessionalism", ultimately rating it eight out of ten.<ref name="laq" />
In a four-out-of-five-star review for ''NME'', Andrew Trendell said ''LoveLaws'' was "so driven by Wayman's personality, vivid lyricism and adventurous flair that it deserves to exist within its own realm", praising the album's "crisp production and open-hearted approach" and further calling it "a record not only to be listened to from start to finish, but a 'headphones' album if ever there was one."<ref name="nme" /> Katie Hawthorne of ''The Skinny'' rated the album four-out-of-five stars and said Wayman's "imagination is startling and singular". She referred to Wayman's songwriting as having a "slippery, shimmering quality", selecting "I've Been Fine", "Dram", "Safe" and "Too Sweet" as highlights from the album.<ref name="ts" />
In a three-out-of-five-star review for ''American Songwriter'', Hal Horowitz noted the album's preference for "atmospheric programmed beats, synths, piano and bass" over Wayman's usual use of guitar, adding that the resulting sound was "often throbbing, sensual … augmented by suggestive lyrics." Though further praising the album's "personal and riveting" lyrics and "enduring, durable and somewhat ageless vibe", Horowitz claimed ''LoveLaws'' "seems caught in a time warp of sorts" due to its "melodramatic tendencies" and "often creepy robot-on-narcotics sound".<ref name="am" /> ''Q'', in another three-out-of-five-star review, was similarly critical and said ''LoveLaws'' "feels like an act of introspection that's gone too far, one that might have benefited from a breath of fresh air, a trip outside its head."<ref name="qm" />
==Track listing== {{Track listing | total_length = 40:44 | all_writing = Theresa Wayman, unless otherwise noted | title1 = Mykki | writer1 = {{hlist|Theresa Wayman|Ivan Wayman|Joe Bates}} | length1 = 4:10 | title2 = I've Been Fine | length2 = 4:01 | title3 = Love Leaks | length3 = 6:02 | title4 = The Dream | length4 = 3:57 | title5 = Tutorial | length5 = 4:38 | title6 = Dram | writer6 = {{hlist|T. Wayman|I. Wayman}} | length6 = 4:39 | title7 = Safe | length7 = 4:38 | title8 = Sassafras Interlude | writer8 = Ludivine Anneliz ("Sassafras") | length8 = 1:19 | title9 = Take One | length9 = 4:18 | title10 = Too Sweet | length10 = 3:54 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese CD<ref name="jp" /> bonus track | total_length = 44:53 | title11 = So To Be Forgot | length11 = 4:09 }}
==Personnel== All personnel credits adapted from ''LoveLaws''{{'}} album notes.<ref name="lovelaws" />
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Performers *Theresa Wayman – vocals {{small|(1–7, 9, 10)}}, synthesizer {{small|(1–3, 10)}}, guitar {{small|(2, 5–7, 9)}}, bass {{small|(1, 3–7, 9)}}, piano {{small|(2–4)}}, drum machine {{small|(1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)}}, drums {{small|(5, 9)}}, sampler {{small|(5, 7, 9)}}, Hammond organ {{small|(10)}} *Ivan Wayman – synthesizer {{small|(1, 6)}}, strings {{small|(1, 4)}}, drums {{small|(3, 4, 9)}}, drum machine {{small|(6)}} *Joe Bates – vocals {{small|(1)}} *Dan Carey – drum machine {{small|(2, 10)}}, guitar {{small|(2)}}, Swarmatron {{small|(2)}}, synthesizer {{small|(10)}} *Guro Gikling – bass {{small|(2, 10)}} *Money Mark – harmonium {{small|(3)}}, synthesizer {{small|(3)}}, percussion {{small|(3)}}, electric piano {{small|(5)}} *Alex Belmonte – guitar {{small|(3)}} *Stella Mozgawa – drums {{small|(7)}}, synthesizer {{small|(7)}} *Anjolee Williams – additional vocals {{small|(7)}} *Pete Checkvala – additional vocals {{small|(7)}} *Graeme Blevins – clarinet {{small|(7)}} *Ludivine Anneliz ("Sassafras") – vocals, guitar {{small|(8)}} *Jenny Lee Lindberg – bass {{small|(9)}} *Emily Kokal – additional vocals {{small|(10)}}
{{col-2}} ;Technical personnel *Theresa Wayman – production, arrangement *Ivan Wayman – production {{small|(1, 3–9)}}, arrangement {{small|(1, 3–9)}}, mixing *Dan Carey – production {{small|(2, 10)}}, arrangement {{small|(2, 10)}} *Money Mark – production {{small|(3, 5)}} *Hal Ritson – additional production {{small|(7)}}, additional programming {{small|(7)}} *Richard Adlam – additional programming {{small|(7)}} *Shawn Everett – mixing *Dave Cooley – mastering
;Design personnel *Theresa Wayman – design, artwork *Delaram Pourabdi – photography {{col-end}}
==Chart positions== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| UK Record Store (OCC)<ref name="uk" /> | 38 |}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| Distributor ! scope="col"| Catalog |- ! scope="row"| United States<ref name="spin" /> | rowspan="3"| May 18, 2018 | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | rowspan="3"| LoveLeaks | rowspan="2"| Caroline International | 2567450801 |- ! scope="row"| Europe<ref name="rt" /> | {{hlist|CD|LP|digital download}} | LL001 |- ! scope="row"| Japan<ref name="jp" /> | CD | Hostess Entertainment Unlimited | HSU-10188 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Discogs master|master=1365902|name=LoveLaws|type=album}} *{{MusicBrainz release group|mbid=db11414e-b6e1-481e-89bc-41f74d963373|name=LoveLaws}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2018 debut albums Category:Albums produced by Dan Carey (record producer) Category:Theresa Wayman albums