REVIEW: Teyana Taylor - KTSE

All month long, Kanye West has been producing and releasing album after album.  The latest, and probably last as of right now, is an album from Teyana Taylor, an R&B vocalist signed to G.O.O.D. Music.  She has only released one studio album back in 2014 so this is the first time we have heard solo music from her in four years.  The title is an acronym short for Keep That Same Energy.

Positives

Kanye's production is once again phenomenal as he lays down 8 R&B/soul style beats.  Most of the album is very consistent in tone and stays true to its title as it keeps the same energy.  Teyana Taylor's singing is amazing throughout and she has some interesting subject matter.  She touches on her relationship with NBA player Iman Shumpert and exploring her sexuality.

Negatives

I don't know if this is on purpose, but every album from Kanye this June has come later than the last.  His album, ye, was released Friday morning.  Then his collaboration with Kid Cudi was released Friday afternoon.  Then his album for Nas released on Friday night.  Now this one gets released Saturday morning.  Why must he torture us like this?  I also think that many of these songs blend together and the closing track wasn't necessary.

Features

1) Kanye West (Hurry) - He delivers a short and solid verse.  I would love to hear Kanye rap over this type of production more often.

2) Ty Dolla $ign (3Way) - I loved his verse and his vocals.  He's really good at delivering sensual lyrics.

3) Mykki Blanco (WTP) - He basically plays the role of Teyana Taylor's hypeman and is the one who is shouting "work this pussy" throughout the track.  I'm indifferent to his contribution.

Best Tracks

1) Hurry (feat. Kanye West) - Kanye lays down some smooth, groovy production and delivers a solid verse.  Teyana's chorus is probably the best on this album.  I also found how the song ended to be particularly interesting.  Kanye interrupts at the last second, says "no fade outs," and then the song abruptly ends.

2) 3Way (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - I find this song to have an interesting concept.  The song is about Teyana wanting to have a three-way with her husband.  She knows that having two women turns him on and the message implies that neither of them are actually attracted to the third party, but see the experience as a way to explore their sexuality.  Both artists deliver sweet and sensual vocals.

3) A Rose In Harlem - Sonically, this is the best song on the album.  I loved the sample used in the chorus as well as Teyana Taylor's sing-rapping.  She makes a good point that anyone can betray you and that not everyone is who they say they are.  Also, the outro to this song is just beautiful.

Worst Track

WTP (feat. Mykki Blanco) - All of the G.O.O.D. Music albums have had solid closing tracks.  This wasn't a good closing track.  The constant chanting of "work this pussy" throughout the song is annoying and ruins some solid production.  There are no verses so it's just a chorus repeated throughout the song.  If Kanye were to keep the theme of seven tracks for his albums, he could just take this song out.  It just feels incredibly out of place.

Conclusion

There isn't that much to this album.  It's nothing more than an above average R&B project.

Score: 6/10
I haven't listened to her other album, so I don't know if this is better or worse.


I will write and post another review tomorrow for the new Freddie Gibbs album.