Tyla has danced into her sophomore season with momentum and expectation.

The South African chanteuse made an almighty splash with breakout anthem ‘Water’ and has been swimming forward, creating seismic waves ever since.

The sounds of Africa have powered the engine propelling her into the ears, eyes, and hearts of the masses. It is a foundation she celebrates on ‘A*POP,’ which arrives today via Fax/Epic Records.

Long-gestating, the project follows 2024’s self-titled offering, ‘Tyla,’ and last summer’s scorching EP ‘WWP (We Wanna Party).’

With ample buzz and high stakes, join us below as we dive into the budding diva’s latest offering.

Full review below…

Tyla Turns Up the Heat on ‘A*POP’

Tyla’s turn-up agenda is made clear by the piercing guitar riff that launches opening track ‘Is It Love.’ While the hypnotic cut is somewhat mellower than what follows, it quickly relays that the album is a whine-and-grind affair, with glimmers of lyrical growth along the way.

The cut finds her ruminating on a ruptured romance against production that still commands listeners to move their hips.

Island-spiced ‘That Girl’ arrives thereafter and lives up to its title with fiery braggadocio.

Produced by P2J, the Afrobeats titan who shaped much of the project, the infectious dance floor anthem hits hard. A hit contender should it receive the coveted single treatment, it notably introduces the almost industrial production edge that runs through the length and breadth of ‘A*POP.’

It is perplexing that the track was not positioned as the LP’s opener. Still, there is plenty more on offer across the vast set.

Standouts include the candy-coated ‘Mr. Nonchalant,’ scintillating bedroom bop ‘Double Blind,’ and titillating ‘Kiss.’ The latter, a pulsating dance floor pleasure, is most emblematic of the high-octane world the singer has created with the album.

Her sonic blend has long attracted both praise and critique, and ‘A*POP’ appears unconcerned with changing that conversation. Across its 14 tracks, there is a butter-smooth cohesion that creates a familial connection from song to song.

For some, it will serve as a strong showcase of an artist who knows her sound and doubles down on it unapologetically. For others, it may reignite questions around variety.

From our vantage point, though, ‘A*POP’ has a more notable caveat.

Bluntly, the pre-released singles, ‘Chanel,’ ‘Is It,’ and ‘She Did It Again’ with Zara Larsson, are the undeniable peak points of the project. It is a reality that will likely fuel further debate.

As a body of work, with said songs serving as its tentpole moments, the album is a wholly satisfying ride.

Yet, those bracing for a whoosh of ‘Water’ or a banger that tastes different from what they were fed ahead of the set’s release may walk away thirsty. May.

For us, however, ‘A*POP’ satiates more than sufficiently.

Though not without its minor reservations, the album successfully cements Tyla as here to stay, armed with a sound and artistic proposition that are uniquely hers.

When in full stride, it is a masterful blend of Pop, R&B, Amapiano, and Afrobeats. It is gritty, groove-led, and above all, much like its conductor, unapologetically African.

That Grape Juice Rating:
☆☆☆☆
4/5

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