{"id":2060898,"date":"2026-07-24T09:30:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T06:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060898"},"modified":"2026-07-24T09:30:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T06:30:28","slug":"tyla-apop-review-safe-polished-pop-that-couldve-gone-further","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060898","title":{"rendered":"Tyla \u2013 \u2018A*Pop\u2019 review: safe, polished pop that could\u2019ve gone further"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tyla-Credit-Catherine-Lo-Medico.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-3332206\" class=\"post-3332206 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_71 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tyla-Credit-Catherine-Lo-Medico-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Tyla A-Pop Artwork Review\" title=\"Tyla Credit Catherine Lo Medico\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Tyla. Credit: Catherine LoMedico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_72\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_73  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_75  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>Reviews<\/span><span>Album Reviews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_77 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_77\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Tyla \u2013 \u2018A*Pop\u2019 review: safe, polished pop that could\u2019ve gone further<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_78 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_78\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The breakout South African artist\u2019s second album is packed with irresistible singles and effortless charm, but it falls short of the bold promise of its rollout<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_review_overall tdi_79 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_79\">\n<table class=\"td-review td-fix-index\">\n<tr class=\"td-review-footer rate_stars\">\n<td class=\"td-review-score\">\n<div class=\"td-review-overall\">\n<div class=\"td-review-final-score\">3.5<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_80 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_80\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Kyann-Sian Williams<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_81 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T10:30:28+01:00\">24th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_82\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_83  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Only five singles into her career, Tyla struck gold. \u2018Water\u2019, her 2023 single, became a global phenomenon, introducing amapiano to new audiences through its irresistible blend of R&amp;B and South African club music. Her eponymous debut album followed the next year, and proved \u2018Water\u2019 wasn\u2019t lightning in a bottle, cementing her place as one of pop\u2019s brightest crossover stars.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Syd on \u2018Beard\u2019, the return of The Internet and refusing to fit into a box: \u201cI\u2019ve never tried to make a hit\u201d<br \/><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s not easy to keep that light shining, though. Although the build-up to the Johannesburg singer\u2019s second album, \u2018A*Pop\u2019, suggested a technicolour pop spectacular on the way, it instead shows her shine is starting to dim. Beyond its strongest singles, the album repeatedly trades high energy for mood, settling into a surprisingly restrained collection of slow-burning love songs that rarely match the ambition of its rollout.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Ironically, on \u2018Feel Something\u2019, Tyla repeatedly pleads that she wants someone to <i>\u201cmake me feel something\u201d<\/i>, but the sentiment ends up applying to the song itself. Despite its twitching bassline and simmering sensuality, it never quite reaches the emotional climax it craves. It\u2019s frustrating because Tyla proves on the evocative opener \u2018Is It Love\u2019 that she\u2019s capable of more, singing about wanting somebody to <i>\u201cwater my roots\u201d<\/i> giving attraction a tangible emotional weight. Too often on \u2018A*Pop\u2019, broader declarations of desire rarely go beyond the surface, leaving Tyla\u2019s charisma to do almost all the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tyla - IS IT LOVE (Official Music Video)\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YdrW1SJwiMs?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p>Thankfully, there are stronger moments, including some where she turns that intoxicating blend of amapiano, R&amp;B and glossy pop into something even bolder. Those crop up in album highlights \u2018Is It\u2019, \u2018Chanel\u2019 and the Zara Larsson-assisted \u2018She Did It Again\u2019 \u2013 all undeniable earworms, pairing hypnotic log drums with sleek pop hooks that effortlessly slot alongside the biggest moments on \u2018Tyla\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, \u2018Kiss\u2019 is a gorgeous slice of ama-pop, mellow enough to soundtrack the comedown from a sweat-soaked dancefloor. MaWhoo collaboration \u2018Crazy Of Me\u2019 lets both singers melt into one another over understated production that\u2019s as warm as late-afternoon sunshine. Album closer \u2018Hot Tubs\u2019, meanwhile, injects a welcome burst of personality into the record, its rubbery synths bouncing around Tyla\u2019s carefree performance as she shrugs off expectation in favour of simple pleasures. Even though there are still a few clunky lines (<i>\u201cWhether you like me or don\u2019t \/ Shake that ass to my song\u201d)<\/i>, it\u2019s a reminder that she remains a magnetic performer even if the songwriting doesn\u2019t always meet her halfway.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018A*Pop\u2019 is a surprisingly cautious follow-up. Where \u2018Tyla\u2019 introduced an artist confidently reshaping amapiano\u2019s relationship with global pop, this sequel largely settles for polishing what already worked instead of pushing it somewhere new. Tyla\u2019s second album might be called \u2018A*Pop\u2019, but as someone earmarked for greatness, it falls short of earning top marks.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3782516 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tyla-A-Pop-Artwork-Review.jpg\" alt=\"the strokes reality awaits review\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Record label:<\/strong> FAX\/Epic Records<\/li>\n<li><strong>Release date:<\/strong> July 26, 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Pop<\/li>\n<li>Tyla<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_88\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_89  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_93  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_95  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_97 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_98 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_98\">\n<div id=\"tdi_98\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Noah Kahan calls on Congress to force his fans to wear diapers to gigs to stop them pissing and shitting everywhere<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Charli XCX reveals her top five Charli XCX songs<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Film News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Katy Perry \u2018Lifetimes\u2019 concert film to screen across 150 cinemas in the UK after tour raised over \u00a380k for Music Venue Trust<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">New duet from George Michael and Elton John could be on the way<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Film News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Lily Allen documentary coming to Amazon Prime Video, will offer \u201cintimate portrait of her life and career\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Olivia Rodrigo speaks out for reproductive rights, says abortion bans are not \u201cpro-life\u201d but \u201cpro-control\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_99\" class=\"tdc-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_100  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_102  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Only five singles into her career, Tyla struck gold. \u2018Water\u2019, her 2023 single, became a global phenomenon, introducing amapiano to new audiences through its irresistible blend of R&amp;B and South African club music. Her eponymous debut album followed the next year, and proved \u2018Water\u2019 wasn\u2019t lightning in a bottle, cementing her place as one of pop\u2019s brightest crossover stars.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Syd on \u2018Beard\u2019, the return of The Internet and refusing to fit into a box: \u201cI\u2019ve never tried to make a hit\u201d<br \/><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s not easy to keep that light shining, though. Although the build-up to the Johannesburg singer\u2019s second album, \u2018A*Pop\u2019, suggested a technicolour pop spectacular on the way, it instead shows her shine is starting to dim. Beyond its strongest singles, the album repeatedly trades high energy for mood, settling into a surprisingly restrained collection of slow-burning love songs that rarely match the ambition of its rollout.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Ironically, on \u2018Feel Something\u2019, Tyla repeatedly pleads that she wants someone to <i>\u201cmake me feel something\u201d<\/i>, but the sentiment ends up applying to the song itself. Despite its twitching bassline and simmering sensuality, it never quite reaches the emotional climax it craves. It\u2019s frustrating because Tyla proves on the evocative opener \u2018Is It Love\u2019 that she\u2019s capable of more, singing about wanting somebody to <i>\u201cwater my roots\u201d<\/i> giving attraction a tangible emotional weight. Too often on \u2018A*Pop\u2019, broader declarations of desire rarely go beyond the surface, leaving Tyla\u2019s charisma to do almost all the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tyla - IS IT LOVE (Official Music Video)\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YdrW1SJwiMs?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<p>Thankfully, there are stronger moments, including some where she turns that intoxicating blend of amapiano, R&amp;B and glossy pop into something even bolder. Those crop up in album highlights \u2018Is It\u2019, \u2018Chanel\u2019 and the Zara Larsson-assisted \u2018She Did It Again\u2019 \u2013 all undeniable earworms, pairing hypnotic log drums with sleek pop hooks that effortlessly slot alongside the biggest moments on \u2018Tyla\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, \u2018Kiss\u2019 is a gorgeous slice of ama-pop, mellow enough to soundtrack the comedown from a sweat-soaked dancefloor. MaWhoo collaboration \u2018Crazy Of Me\u2019 lets both singers melt into one another over understated production that\u2019s as warm as late-afternoon sunshine. Album closer \u2018Hot Tubs\u2019, meanwhile, injects a welcome burst of personality into the record, its rubbery synths bouncing around Tyla\u2019s carefree performance as she shrugs off expectation in favour of simple pleasures. Even though there are still a few clunky lines (<i>\u201cWhether you like me or don\u2019t \/ Shake that ass to my song\u201d)<\/i>, it\u2019s a reminder that she remains a magnetic performer even if the songwriting doesn\u2019t always meet her halfway.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018A*Pop\u2019 is a surprisingly cautious follow-up. Where \u2018Tyla\u2019 introduced an artist confidently reshaping amapiano\u2019s relationship with global pop, this sequel largely settles for polishing what already worked instead of pushing it somewhere new. Tyla\u2019s second album might be called \u2018A*Pop\u2019, but as someone earmarked for greatness, it falls short of earning top marks.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3782516 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tyla-A-Pop-Artwork-Review.jpg\" alt=\"the strokes reality awaits review\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Record label:<\/strong> FAX\/Epic Records<\/li>\n<li><strong>Release date:<\/strong> July 26, 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/reviews\/album\/tyla-apop-review-3958756&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tyla-Credit-Catherine-Lo-Medico.jpg&#8221;] Tyla. Credit: Catherine LoMedico ReviewsAlbum Reviews Tyla \u2013 \u2018A*Pop\u2019 review: safe, polished pop that could\u2019ve gone further The breakout South African artist\u2019s second album is packed with irresistible singles and effortless charm, but it falls short of the bold promise of its rollout 3.5 By Kyann-Sian Williams 24th July 2026 Only five [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2060898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2060898"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060898\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2060898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2060898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2060898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}