With Love is an EP by Mya. The EP was released independently on February 14, 2014 on her own record label Planet 9 via INgrooves.
EP Background[]
Prior to Mýa recording and releasing her first independent album overseas, she released three successful studio albums in the United States: "Mya," "Fear of Flying" and "Moodring."
In 1998, Mýa's debut self-titled album peaked at No. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Fear of Flying (2000) fared even better at No. 7, with the single "Case of the Ex" reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart.
In 2001, she took home a Grammy for "Lady Marmalade", her massive No. 1 single with P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Missy Elliott. A role in the hit film Chicago and other acting opportunities followed.
After releasing "Moodring" in 2003 (with the exception of a popular stint on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2009 where she finished second), it seemed as if Mýa had left the entertainment industry
In 2004, after the Moodring album, Mya ended up in a year-long litigation with management. In late 2005, she made a transition within the Universal system from Interscope to Universal Motown.
In 2007, Mya's fourth studio album "Liberation" was accidentally released in Japan when the release date changed.
At the time, she was with Motown/Universal; her lawyer advised that she not waste time and money taking the issue to court, so Harrison decided to go independent instead.
Japan loved the "Liberation" album so much that a company by the named Manhattan Recordings located there approached her about doing business with them.
Mya released her first independent project, titled "Sugar & Spice" in Japan in 2008 (a year after her split with Motown)
With Love is Harrison's first extended play and fifth independently self-funded project. It is the follow-up to her fourth independently released album "K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)."
The EP serves as Mya's third U.S. release since her departure from record label Interscope Records in 2005.
Planet 9 Record Label[]
In 2008, Mya created her own label imprint, Planet 9.
Since parting ways with Universal Motown, she has released four independently self-funded, self-executive produced projects: "Sugar & Spice," "Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1" and "K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)."
In 2009, Mya spoke with Rolling Out magazine, elaborating more on her hiatus from music and decision to go independent:
"I've never stopped doing music. I've created a label called Planet 9 and I released an album in Japan. I invested in my own studio and it cut the recording cost down 95 percent. I have my own in-house producers and they are not as expensive as an established producer. The return is greater and now I own my masters. I see six dollars per album sold versus 10 cents. You may not sell as many units because you don't put as much money in promotions, but the returns are better."
Later in the interview, Mya voiced her opinion on the major difference between major record labels and independent labels, saying:
"Major labels have a system that you have to go through. The people in power dictate how things should sound and where the money is spent. But when you become your own boss, you check every line item and you have to be cautious."
EP Development[]
Just as before on previous projects, Mya serves as executive producer for With Love (alongside record producer Yonny) which entailed her scouting the producers, songwriters, arranging the album track listing and keeping track of the accounting
Mya's sixth studio album "K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)" was an international release with a variety of different genres. However, with this EP, she chose particular songs that suited the Valentine's Day theme.
In an interview with Page31.com, Mya spoke more on the EP and how it came to be orchestrated, saying:
"Well, I've been recording now for years and years and I wanted to put something together for the fans. I made some resolutions about what this year is going to look like for me and that's how it started. This is just my V-Day treat."
As the interview continued, she described the EP's creative and recording process, stating:
"You know, I didn't go into the studio saying 'I'm going to make a V-Day EP'. I stay in the studio. I have a studio in LA and DC and I travel with a studio, so I'm always creating all kinds of stuff of all different genres and on every track there is musicianship and live music. There's really nothing that I'm chasing other than putting people in the mood. That's what music should be: an experience. That's why I chose these particular songs around Valentine's Day."
EP Release[]
Two days before release, Mya began uploading and teasing fans with snippets of the four-track EP on her SoundCloud account.
At midnight EST on February 14, 2014, "With Love" was made available for purchase worldwide through Mya's label imprint Planet 9 and INgrooves on iTunes and Amazon, etc.
The EP commemorates the release of her debut single "It's All About Me" (2/14/1998) and 16th anniversary in the entertainment industry.
Tracklisting[]
- Space (2:39) (written by Mya Harrison, Latisha Hyman & Cliff Lewis; produced by Yonny & Squat)
- Like a Woman (2:31) (written by Mya Harrison and Antione Hart; produced by Antione Hart)
- House Party (3:53) (written by Mya Harrison, Trevor Wesley & Cliff Lewis; produced by Yonny)
- Do It (2:56) (written by ShaSha Jones, Cheyenne Surratt, Cliff Lewis & Mya Harrison; produced by Yonny)
Critical Reception[]
Upon its release, "With Love" received universal acclaim from music critics.
Gerrick D. Kennedy of the Los Angeles Times gave the EP a positive review and called the EP "Mýa's long overdue comeback," writing:
"From the frank sexuality of 'Do It' to the anthemic 'Like a Woman', the four-track EP is a reminder of why Mýa is missed on the R&B scene."
Soul Bounce writer J. Ly gave the EP a positive review as well & spoke of its production, stating:
"The four-song EP dips into musical fare we've come to expect from the triple threat -- contemporary R&B spiced with of-the-moment hip hop -- but also shows progression in vocals and melodies borrowed from the same recipe as her Moodring album." He continued by saying "Though it barely clocks in at 12 minutes long, With Love feels like a reintroduction to Mýa."
Referring to the EP as a whole, Ly concluded:
"Maybe it's us missing her that makes the EP so refreshing or maybe it's just fun to have new material. Either way, With Love is worth a spin of encouragement."
Wetpaint critic Lindsay Dreyer commented on Mya's voice and the EP's production as well, opining:
"Though her voice definitely has a more seasoned quality, it hasn't lost its purity — 'Like a Woman' is about as pristine as it gets, while all three uptempo jams, 'Space', 'House Party', and 'Do It' bring back a late-'90s vibe."
EP Personnel[]
Managerial
- Executive producer – Mýa Harrison & Yonny
- Management – Sherman Harrison, Mike Killmon, Carol Rosenthal, Crystal Bozeman, Troy Ramsey & Tatiana Noboa
Visuals and Imagery
- Photography – Reesee of Zigga Zagga Productions
- Graphic design – Carlos Perales of Planet 9
Instruments
- Guitar – Brent Paschke & Walt Williams IV
- Keyboard – Davion Botts & Leonard Siggers
Technical and Production
- Backing vocals – Sam Hook
- Mastering – Brandon Bishop
- Mixing – Daniel Laporte, Ben "Bengineer" Chang
- Additional production – Robert Williams, Brent Paschke, Desmond Peterson & Orlando Williamson