Shaznay Lewis wrote "Love Lasts Forever" with producer K-Gee more than a year prior to its release.[2] It was inspired by Lewis' son who was about to leave high school, and reflected on the pressure from society to grow and achieve. She wanted to reassure him that "the family will be here and the love will still be here whenever you need to come back and be protected from all of that."[3]Melanie Blatt listened to the track for four hours on repeat after Lewis sent it to her, and recalls it being the first from Testament that she instantly liked and thought "we're fine, this is good, this album is going to be amazing."[4]
"Love Lasts Forever" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andre Paine of the Evening Standard commented, "The combination of steely harmonies and lush electronic textures is an appealing throwback".[11] Jonathan Wright of God is in the TV believed it continued the group's "impeccable run of singles".[12] In The Observer, Phil Mongredien said the track "displays a deliciously light touch".[13]The Independent's Elizabeth Aubrey appreciated its "layered and multi-faceted" sound.[14]
Michael Cragg of Q magazine found the song "sun-kissed" and cited it as an exception on Testament where "songs are often suffocated by vaguely outré production flourishes".[15] In his review for The Guardian, Cragg wrote that the group's "icy harmonies keep this springy love fest about an inch away from full Emeli Sandé."[16] Laura Snapes, also writing in The Guardian, derided the production, saying All Saints are "left eating dust by breathless drum'n'bass breakdowns".[17] In 2018, the song was shortlisted for the Popjustice £20 Music Prize.[18]
