Soldier of consistency

“Soldier of Love,” Sade’s first album in 10 years, follows the same format as all of her previous releases. Full of relaxed beats and reserved vocals, there aren’t many surprises. But that doesn’t necessarily matter when the formula still works.

“Soldier” isn’t an album to rock out to, but rather to groove to. Sade’s vocals soar over the mix without much processing but with an emotional detachment; she sounds like she is incapable of getting worked up over anything.

Variety is usually a virtue of music, but in this case, it signals the album’s lesser moments. “Babyfather” is too sunny and almost silly, while “Be That Easy” removes the customary beats and replaces them with an out-of-place country waltz.

Although this album doesn’t break any new ground, it covers the same thing well. And consistency remains Sade’s greatest strength.