Release Some Tension

Release Some Tension is the third studio album by American R&B vocal group SWV. It was released by RCA Records on August 12, 1997. The album guest appearances by E-40, Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Foxy Brown, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and Redman. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States.^[4]

The album features hits like "Rain", "Someone", and "Can We". Another single "Lose My Cool" was slated to be released as the album's third single but due to limited radio airplay it was shelved in favor of "Rain" which became one of their most notable hits. The second single "Someone" reached number 19 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies.^[5][6]

The album ultimately proved a commercial disappointment; with their future prospects uncertain, SWV would disband before the end of the year. The girls and others later claimed that the production of Release Some Tension had been unfairly rushed by SWV's label and that the girls had been forced to start recording while still in the middle of promoting their second album New Beginning (1996).

As the contemporary R&B landscape became increasingly shaped by emerging artists such as Brandy Norwood and Aaliyah, SWV found it progressively more difficult to sustain the same level of resonance with their core audience.^[7] In response, the group and their label enlisted a broader range of collaborators for their third studio album, Release Some Tension. The project ultimately featured a notable roster of guest appearances, including Puff Daddy, Foxy Brown, Redman, Timbaland, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and others.^[7]

In later reflections, Leanne "Lelee" Lyons voiced strong dissatisfaction with the album's visual presentation and overall artistic direction. She stated that she "hated that album," characterizing it as "ridiculous" and attributing its perceived shortcomings to "poor judgment."^[7] Lyons clarified, however, that her criticism was not aimed at the distinguished artists who contributed to the record. Rather, she felt that the final product came across as "those great artists featuring SWV," instead of a cohesive body of work that properly foregrounded the group.^[7]

Release Some Tension received mixed reviews, praised for its funky singles and vocals but criticized for being overshadowed by guest collaborators. Writing for The Los Angeles Times, Cheo Hodari Coker called the album "the trio's most consistently pleasing album yet" and a "highly effective mix of hip-hop sass, sexual bravado and occasional sentimental yearning."^[10] AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that although the album occasionally finds the group overshadowed by its many high-profile collaborators, it was nevertheless a "solid" effort, particularly when propelled by its "funky singles." He observed that the trio aimed to break free from the "slick urban straitjacket" of their earlier work and return to their hip-hop roots, enlisting an extensive roster of producers to achieve that goal.^[3] Entertainment Weekly critic Cheo Tyehimba noted that the album "finds the sistas lifting their voices with rollicking dexterity and torchy soul," describing it as a return to the sound that earned them multi-platinum success. He added that guest appearances by Combs, Elliott, and Redman infuse the record with street credibility and pop energy.^[2]

Music Week characterized Release Some Tension as “smooth, but pleasingly scuffed around the edges," calling it "an album full of singles."^[11] Writing for NME, Johnny Dee was more critical, arguing that SWV’s recruitment of a “gaggle of hip-hop stars" makes the album only "marginally more interesting than a stale digestive biscuit." He ultimately described Release Some Tension as "very, very dull," suggesting that its cool, steady tone seems intentionally understated.^[12] Rolling Stone's Natasha Stovall concluded on a mixed note, asserting that while SWV's "diva croons and tight, soul-heavy harmonies" elevate certain tracks, even the album's ultra-produced hip-hop jams remain rooted in the group's enduring preoccupation with romance.^[13] Billboard concluded that Release Some Tension "takes it back to the street with gritty, infectious R&B tracks and performances. Project is highlighted by satisfying funky loops and star-power vocals by guest performers."^[14]

Upon its release in 1997, Release Some Tension achieved moderate commercial success across several international markets, though its overall performance was noticeably weaker than that of the group's two preceding albums.^[7] In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number twenty-four on the Billboard 200.^[16][17] It became the group's first studio album to miss the top ten of the latter chart. Nevertheless, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 500,000 units.^[18] In Canada, it reached number 19 on the Canadian Albums Chart and was subsequently certified Gold by Music Canada for shipments of 50,000 units.^[19][20]

In the United Kingdom, the album rose to number three on the UK R&B Albums Chart and peaked at number nineteen on the UK Albums Chart.^[21][22] In continental Europe, it attained number eighteen on the Dutch Albums Chart,^[23] number twenty-three on the Swedish Albums Chart,^[24] and number 65 on the German Albums Chart, marking SWV's highest-charting album in the latter territories.^[25] In Asia, Release Some Tension received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units.^[26]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

• "Someone" embodies portions of "Ten Crack Commandments" as performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
• "Release Some Tension" embodies portions of "Collage" as written by E. Green.
• "Love Like This" embodies portions of "Raindance" as written and performed by Jeff Lorber.
• "Give It Up" contains samples of "No Tricks" as performed by The 45 King.
• "Gettin' Funky" contains samples of "Misdemeanor" as performed by Foster Sylvers.

• Release Some Tension at AllMusic