K.T.S.E. | ALBUM REVIEW
After a highly anticipated return to music, Teyana Taylor's sophomore project, executively produced by Kanye West, proves that she's an extremely gifted artist, but will require support from talented producers if she desires to become a staple in R&B. K.T.S.E. (an abbreviation of Keep That Same Energy) was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings last Saturday, June 23 as Taylor's second studio album and the fifth and final album to Kanye West's five part Wyoming Sessions.
It has been nearly four years since Taylor released her debut album, VII, in 2014. Subsequent to the release of VII, Taylor put her music career on hold, instead working in television, getting married to NBA shooting guard Iman Shumpert, and giving birth to her first child, Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert.
Though her first album apparently took six years to complete, Teyana has admitted that she "gets it from Kanye;' Apparently, she has retained her perfectionist tendencies because according to Taylor, the version of K.T.S.E. that was released last week was rushed out by Kanye trying to meet his self-imposed June deadlines. During a recent interview with Big Boi, Teyana basically promises an updated version of the album to be released sometime next week with additional cleared samples and other tweaks. Personally, I thought the album was already genuinely elegant in its own right, but if she as the artist believes the album wasn't ready and could be improved, then by all means bring on more music.
The original eight track record begins with a brilliant orchestration and piano driven track titled "No Manners". With no verse and just two choruses, Teyana begins singing in a staccato-like rhythm alongside a fusion of strings, piano chords, and well-timed hums. Teyana recites, "We up in the Copacobana/ I'm good bitch you know I been better/ My hubby, my hubby so handsome;”. Teyana touches on her marriage with her husband Iman Shumpert at various points throughout the album. Gothic and self-assured in its majesty, the production of the grand build up maintains its classic feel while still producing a modern day vibe with a kick of drums once the beat drops. The intro track transitions nicely into Teyana's next ballad, "Gonna Love Me:' Alongside a Late Registration type beat, this song gives Teyana room to showcase her vocal range as she harmonizes freely over a sample of "I Gave it to You" sung by lead singer Randy Cain of The Delfonics. The sample-heavy track lays the foundation of the third track of the album, "Issues/Hold On", which is (in my opinion) the highlight of the album. Beautifully written and complete on all phases, the track features an oldie sample of "I Do Love You" by Clint Black & the Eastside Band with Daft Punk laser beams being shot and echoed throughout the song. Throughout the album, Teyana's voice sounds refined and more mature from her last project. She sings with both passion and attitude; she's heartfelt and gritty in all right areas.
K.T.S.E. ends up being a way for people to figure out what Teyana Taylor's sound is after her long break from music. From her seductive celebration of sexual exploration in "3Way" to Teyana's conceited rap draped in Harlem swagger in "Rose in Harlem", Taylor asserts her personality in this project. The timeless production by the likes of Kanye, Mike Dean, and BoogzDaBeast provide the canvas for the 27 year old Harlem native to express herself and display her talent after years of watching the game from the R&B sidelines.
