South African star Tyla has finally dropped her self-titled debut album which she had been teasing since late last year. This release comes after a whirlwind year fueled by the global success of her breakout single, “Water,” which even snagged her a Grammy Award in the “Best African Music Performance” category.

Following the Grammy win, the pressure was on, but Tyla fearlessly strode forward. The LP, released via Epic Records, is a genre-hopping receptacle, meshing together Tyla’s distinct “popiano” sound with pop, deep house, kwaito, R&B, and even a dash of Latin spice courtesy of her team-up with Becky G. It’s an exciting concoction that feels really fresh.

The collaborations on Tyla are thoughtfully chosen, adding new dimensions to Tyla’s sound. From Nigerian superstar Tems’s magnetic vocals to Skillibeng’s gritty dancehall energy, each guest artist contributes to the album’s richness. 

However, Tyla isn’t solely reliant on its guest appearances. Tyla’s songwriting prowess shines throughout, as she effortlessly navigates a range of emotions and moods, easily moving from upbeat anthems to slow-slinkering tunes. Tracks like “Safer” shimmer with its trademark sun-drenched grooves, while “On and On” builds into a late-night anthem propelled by the genre’s signature log drum rhythms, sneaking a peek into the vulnerability simmering beneath Tyla’s confident exterior. “Jump” throws a curveball with a dancehall thump, featuring the Jamaican star Skillibeng and America’s Gunna.

Tyla is a strong statement of intent from a rising star. While the unfortunate cancellation of her Coachella performance and her tour is a setback, Tyla solidifies Tyla’s position as a rising star in the global music scene, leaving fans eagerly anticipating her next move.

Listen to Tyla here: