Since its breakthrough in the early 2000s, the band Maroon 5 has always kept things simple.
Roving between genres, the band’s formulaic musings on the peaks and valleys of sex and relationships typically lead to commercial success. Positioning frontman Adam Levine’s falsetto at the center of the band’s pop-rock offerings generated hits such as “Payphone,” “Moves Like Jagger,” and “Girls Like You.”
Over the years, Maroon 5 rarely has shied away from capitalizing on useful collaborations or musical trends. This time, the band enlists Lil Wayne, Sexyy Redd, and Lisa (of Blackpink fame) to offer varying opinions on the state of modern love.
The band’s eighth studio album, Love Is Like, comes armed with Levine and Co.’s characteristic swagger and an all-encompassing simile that begs the titular question: What is love really like?
When asked about this album, Levine said these songs mark a return to form for the band. Love Is Like does indeed meditate on familiar topics from across the band’s previous work.
On the positive side of the content ledger, we get a handful of nods toward uplifting, hopeful and wistful romance, albeit perhaps less often than we’ve heard on previous efforts.
But before we look at some of those lyrics, it’s worth noting that infidelity accusations have recently swirled around Levine and his 11-year marriage. That context feels evident throughout this album, though Levine does earn praise for staying married to his wife (at least for now).
Turning to the songs themselves, “Priceless” features this compliment: “Baby, you’re priceless/I’ve never had anything like this.” “My Love” shows that Levine is ready to do anything for his beloved: “I did it for love/Nothing gets between me and my love.”
“Yes I Did” reflects honestly on failures in the past as Levine asks, “Did I make every mistake there was to make? Yes I did/ Did I turn every negative into a positive? Yes I did.” That said, some might question how true such statements are in the haze of those aforementioned questions about Levine’s fidelity.
Elsewhere, “California” finds Levine, in the throes of relational depression, admitting that he’s “paralyzed and weak here on my own.” It’s a seemingly humble confession, perhaps one that could lead in a redemptive direction.
As for the question that the album’s title asks, curious listeners don’t have to wait long to get an answer to that question.
The title track answers in its opening line: “Love is like drugs.” And guess what? Levine says he’s “got suitcases full of ‘em.”
Lil Wayne adds his piece, saying, “Your love is like dope, got me twisted like rope, let’s elope.” And if that wasn’t clear enough, the duo sings together: “You got me high as h—, you’re my cartel, baby/I’m your clientele and you supply it well.”
On “I Like It,” Levine and guest contributor Sexyy Redd swap verses about a toxic elationship built on a foundation of manipulation and sex: “You’re lucky that I’m toxic and I like your kind.” And later, we hear, “When you treat me wrong? Why does it feel so right?”
“All Night” and “Burn Burn Burn” exist on opposite ends of the relational status spectrum. Whether Levine finds himself having sex all night or watching the flame of his former love extinguish, it’s clear that nothing meaningful endures in these relationships.
“Jealousy Problems” features a pensive Levine wondering what really makes him jealous all the time. But his ruminations only lead to a smattering of frustrated outbursts and f-words, with little useful reflection.
“Priceless” turns from complimenting a partner’s value to objectifying her body as her lone worthwhile feature: “Your body, I’ve never seen anything like it/Take my money.” That latter line also obviously flirts with the idea that an ostensibly “priceless” woman is little more than a prostitute in the final analysis.
“California” refers to getting high and drunk during a prolonged week of partying across the state, reckless behavior that ultimately leads to regret and the end of a relationship.
Few songs escape without explicit language, including uses of the f- and s-words. We also hear references to using drugs and alcohol as accessories to relational status.
Despite Maroon 5’s two-decade run of commercial relevance, Love Is Like debuted at tepid No. 36 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Even though the album is likely destined for grocery store background music, its singular message about what love is like still raises concern.
In a particularly suggestive music video for track, “All Night,” Levine’s wife lip-syncs over her husband’s voice as they waste no time turning a dance number into an inappropriate bedroom scene. Meanwhile, the video for “Love Is Like” spotlights a shirtless Levine getting high with Lil Wayne in a limo and drinking from a keg in the streets.
Anyone hoping for a substantive answer to the question of what love is like will likely walk away disappointed by the band’s answers: drug use and meaningless one-night stands.
Jackson Greer is a High School English Teacher in the suburbs of Texas. He lives in Coppell, Texas with his wife, Clara. They love debating whether or not to get another cat and reading poetry together. Also, he is a former employee of Focus on the Family’s Parenting Department.
