A dedication to her husband, NBA basketball player Shannon Brown, "Without You" is a ballad which features a thunderous beat and light synth riffs.

[2] The track, along with Jermaine Dupri-crafted album cut "Amazing", was specifically written and dedicated to Monica's husband, NBA basketball player Shannon Brown, and brought to her by da Don.

“[Polow] was able to make a song that was a true testament to the love I have for my husband now.”[4] "Without You" received mainly mixed to positive reviews from music critics.

In her review of New Life, Erika Ramirez of Billboard said: "Monica [...] adds some throbbing synths and twinkling piano on another "I love my man" cut.

[5] Generally critical of the album itself, Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine wrote: "The melody of "Without You" allows Monica to show off the breadth of her range, but with its reverb-heavy percussion line, the track's production immediately recalls—and pales in comparison to — Beyoncé's "Halo" and Kelly Clarkson's "Already Gone."