Armatrading dedicated Lovers Speak to her "good friends" Gus Dudgeon and his wife Sheila Bailey, who had both been killed in a car accident in July 2002.

[11] Lydia Vanderloo of Barnes & Noble called Lovers Speak a "confident, understated album that spotlights the depth of [Armatrading's] voice and verse".

She drew attention to Armatrading's "soulful vocals" and the "simple but effective arrangements rich with piano, acoustic guitar, and discreet rhythms" going on to single out the tracks "Ocean," "Less Happy More Often", "Let's Talk About Us", "In These Times", "Physical Pain", "Waiting" and "Love Bug" for special mention.

[12] Rashod D. Ollison of the Chicago Tribune referred to the album as "deeper [and] more spiritual … spiced with quirky romantic tales" that "[recall] classic Armatrading but with more simplicity and clearer messages".

[13] David Thomas of The Daily Telegraph called Lovers Speak: "a classic break-up album, written very directly, emotionally and sensually" and described it as "poignant, gorgeous, melodic".

The band for the tour featured Armatrading on vocals and all guitars, Gary Foote on reeds, woodwinds and percussion; and Spencer Cozens on keyboards.