As he’s displayed on earlier releases, LeeL shines first and foremost as a gifted producer, weaving samples, beats, melodies and vocals into a tapestry of sound. The sustained vibe on “Love Is War II: The Heartbreak” flows delicately light jazz with tightly wrapped melodies and LeeL’s smooth vocals.

The EP would make perfect brunch music if not for the unrelenting themes of heartbreak, loneliness and emotional distress, expressed not in gasps or screams or cries, but with LeeL’s steady flow and contrasting backing vocals (by guests DB and Adam Franklin) that create call-and-response conversations within the tracks. It’s all about creating a mood, and LeeL does it masterfully.

— Jim Testa | nj.com