Tyla rocketed to stardom in 2023 with her smash single “Water,” which took her from the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa to international fame and acclaim. She’s continued her meteoric rise this year as she earned her first GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performance, eclipsing established artists for the coveted award. She did this without even having a full project out, but that’s all changed now with the release of her debut album TYLA.
As she’s done on “Water” and prior singles, Tyla seamlessly blends South Africa’s Amapiano with R&B and pop to get the party started on her self-titled LP. In the first half of the album, she ushers us back onto the dance floor with brand-new tracks “Safer,” “No. 1” featuring Tems and “Breathe Me,” which surround “Water” and “Truth Or Dare.” Those five songs are perfectly sequenced for a sweaty good time.
She gives listeners a brief moment to catch their breath on the soft “Butterflies” before ramping back up on the second half of the collection. Tyla eases back into the groove with “On And On” before setting it off on “Jump” with Gunna and Skillibeng and getting sassy with Becky G on “On My Body.”
Besides “Safer” and “No. 1,” some of the strongest songwriting on TYLA is found on the songs “ART” and “Priorities.” On “ART,” Tyla likens herself to a precious work of art that needs to be adored and handled with care. Filled with artistic references and double entendres, the song is as creative as it is clever. It is also the latest to get a music video. The visual directed by NABIL sees Tyla’s beauty on full display in the role of an artist’s muse complete with a surprise twist at the end.
TYLA concludes with previous singles “To Last” and “Water (Remix)” featuring Travis Scott, which round out the set. The absence of the singles “Been Thinking” and “Girl Next Door” alongside Ayra Starr is felt, but we hope that she includes them on a deluxe edition.
Tyla’s TYLA is a fine debut album from an artist who is honestly just getting started. Now that she has the world’s attention, Tyla is determined – and destined – to keep it.
Tyla TYLA [Amazon][Apple Music][TIDAL]
