Last year, Tyla Laura Seethal, known monogynously as Tyla, solidified her spot as an up-and-coming star with single “Water,” her career-launching top 10 song that earned her a Grammy long before her debut album dropped. #grammywinner
(Jeremy Soma.)
However, the song served as evidence of an effective formula: "popiano," a fusion inspired by South African amapiano. This term encapsulates her unique amalgamation of piano-centric rhythms from the genre, infused with the dynamic beats of tech-house, alongside the evolving tempos characteristic of pop and R&B music.
“I’m speaking about the things that I’ve gone through while creating the album – basically three years in the making,” the 22-year-old told Apple Music. “I was becoming a woman. So it was a lot of growing that happened, and me realizing my worth and realizing how I want to be treated – and how basically, I’m that girl, and people need to know I’m that girl.” #period
On her self-titled debut, Tyla, she creates a new dimension anchored by this formula, making for a captivating first record that sets her apart from her Afrobeats peers on a quest to pop crossover.
On “Tyla,” much of the album’s success is indebted to herself, whose delivery adds a new layer of intrigue to the rapidly evolving South African genre. When Tyla sings, she’s not necessarily belting, but knows when to accentuate her delivery. On “Jump,” featuring Gunna and Jamaican dancehall DJ and rapper, Skillibeng, Tyla unlocks a new level of self-assurance, something you can precisely hear in the way she phrases the first verse. It's a great example of a 2024 version of "Baby Boy" of Beyoncé and "If It's Lovin' That You Want" of Rihanna.
“Jump” certainly has potential to be coined as the party anthem that could easily make for another viral dance trend, something that allowed “Water” to jump from TikTok and land onto the charts.
A new music video for "ART" was released as well. Tyla is seen in ethereal clips filled with fine art and greenery.
Tyla approaches her vocality with grace. She knows when to slip into an effortless-sounding whisper and refines her demure sound with burning emotion. Something like a new version of quiet storm.
“Priorities” is probably as close to traditional pop as the album gets, though she still dances around the realm of South African sound. In her collaboration with Nigerian songstress Tems, “No. 1,” creates a sonically triumphant melody that is an ode to putting yourself first. Tems' velvety register juxtaposes Tyla's breathy harmonies and they work together so well.
Tyla spoke more about the project back in October 2023 on an Instagram post, where she also reflects on her success post performance on the "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
Congratulations to Tyla on releasing her debut album!
You can listen to Tyla now on Apple Music, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms.
#tyla #trendinginmusic #amapiano #popiano #billboard #newinmusic #gunna #tems #upandcoming #southafrica
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