I Missed Us
| Company type | Studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | April 17, 2012 |
| Products | R&B music |
I Missed Us represents the fifth studio album released by the American R&B trio SWV. Distributed through Mass Appeal Entertainment and eOne Music, it became available on April 17, 2012. This album marked their first studio project following their split in 1997. The primary production duties were managed by Cainon Lamb, with additional input from producers such as Carvin & Ivan, Michael "Big Mike" Clemons, and Bryan-Michael Cox. The release was promoted via three singles, featuring the lead track "Co-Sign." Among its highlights is a rendition of the Patti LaBelle classic "If Only You Knew," which garnered SWV a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category.
Background
After disbanding in 1997, SWV's I Missed Us signified their comeback after more than ten years. Their prior album, A Special Christmas, was followed by internal disagreements leading members to focus on solo careers and family commitments. Leanne Lyons, one of the group’s members, spoke about periods of separation influenced by outside factors but stressed their eventual understanding that unity made them "much stronger," characterizing their reunion as an evolution marked by maturity.
Following a failed attempt to produce a comeback album, SWV regrouped for live appearances including the 2008 BET Awards, before commencing work on I Missed Us in 2011. Producer Clemons described the creative atmosphere as positive and noted that the album's title reflects both their renewed camaraderie and reconnection with their audience. Lyons emphasized that the album aimed to "bring love back," blending a sound that balances youthful energy with grown-up sophistication.
Critical reception
Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised I Missed Us as "one of the best comeback albums of the last decade," highlighting that it "doesn’t resemble a group returning after a 15-year hiatus from studio releases." Lamb was responsible for writing and producing the first nine songs, approaching the project without preconceived expectations other than crafting a quality R&B record for 2012. The only constant element throughout is the trio’s vocal presence. The four tracks produced by other collaborators are perceived as bonus material but integrate seamlessly into the overall album.[1] Mikael Wood from Entertainment Weekly noted that although the album "likely won’t propel them back to chart dominance," tracks reminiscent of ’90s R&B such as "All About You" and the Chaka Khan-sampling "Do Ya" continue to make a strong impact.[2]
Commercial performance
Upon release, I Missed Us entered the US Billboard 200 chart at position 25 and reached number six on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ranking, selling 14,000 copies during its first week. By 2013, total sales had reached 61,000 units.
Personnel
- Drums and programming: Cainon Lamb, Bryan-Michael Cox, Ivan "Orthodox" Barias, Michael "Big Mike" Clemons
- Keyboards: Cainon Lamb, Bryan-Michael Cox, Ivan "Orthodox" Barias, Raymond Gorden, Taurian "TJ" Osborn, Arthur "Buddy" Strong, Leonard Stephens, Anthony Randolph
- Bass: Tadarius McCombs, Taurian "TJ" Osborn, Nathan Clemons
- Guitar: Anthony Randolph, Kendall Gilder
- Background vocals: SWV, Kevin Ross, Jean Baylor, Allen Irvin
- Recording engineers: Andrew Thielk, Miguel Castro, Richard Reale, Sam Thomas, Bryan-Michael Cox, Carvin Haggins, Ivan Barias, Loren Barton
- Mixing engineers: James Zaner, Marcus "DL" Siskind, Jason Goldstein, Ken Lewis, Sam Thomas, Bryan-Michael Cox, Loren Barton
- Mastering engineer: Tony Dawsey
- Photography by: Derek Blanks
- Art direction and design: Sean Marlowe
Weekly charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (2012) | Highest ranking |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Ranking |
|---|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 90 |