Release and Critical Reception
Early in 2008, several songs for Usher's fifth studio album leaked into the Internet, including "Love in This Club". Usher called the incident an "internal conspiracy" because it was unofficially released beyond his awareness. This also happened to the lead single "Yeah!" off his 2004 album Confessions, which was intentionally leaked by its producer, Lil Jon, in 2003. Polow da Don later told that he had leaked "Love in This Club", echoing Lil John's actions. He felt the song would be a hit, but that "it was so much back-and-forth between Usher and his record label" and he was tired of waiting on "label politics". The song was released for sale on February 22, 2008.
The production of "Love in This Club" was praised by the Los Angeles Times, as was Usher's vocal effort. Andy Kellman of Allmusic and Jonathan Tjarks of Austin360.com noted the song as a standout from Here I Stand. Blender rated the song two-and-a-half out of five stars, calling it too safe and lethargic. Digital Spy's Nick Levine enjoyed the song, but noted its lack of originality. Jim Farber from Daily News was not impressed, writing "'Love in This Club' doesn't sound like a club anthem at all. It's too slow and quiet, and...its smeary synth hook sounds like a planed-down version of a Justin Timberlake hit."
Young Jeezy's addition received clashing responses from reviewers. Billboard's Sophie Baratta was not impressed with the verse, but called the song "a catchy tune". Bill Lamb of About.com praised the rapper's effort, but expected better from Usher after a four-year break since Confessions, writing that he is "retread territory familiar to fans of Akon and T-Pain", awarding the song two-and-a-half out of five stars. BBC Radio 1's Fraser McAlpine rated the song four stars out of five, but called Young Jeezy's rap "growling" and "wheezy".
This single ranked at number one on the "10 Best Singles of 2008" list by American magazine Entertainment Weekly, while Time's Josh Tyrangiel placed it at number eight on its 2008 "Songs of Summer" list. MTV News listed the song as the fifth-best R&B tune of the year, and it won the Ozone Award for Best Rap/R&B Collaboration. On "The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time", compiled by Billboard in 2010, "Love in Thus Club" placed at number twenty-seven.
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