Album review: Teyana Taylor, K.T.S.E (Keep The Same Energy)

Teyana Taylor's album could - and should - have been much better than it was. Photo / Getty Images

Teyana Taylor's first release in nearly four years comes under the umbrella of Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music project and, great as it is, it could've been better.

Taylor is incredibly talented, with buttery, soulful vocals and impressive control. And paired with some sample-heavy, old-Kanye type production, it truly stands out on the project, which also produced a series of seven-track releases by Kid Cudi, Nas, Pusha T and Ye himself.

Together, the pair maintain Taylor's roots in 90s-inspired R&B slow jams, as she croons about love, sex and pleasure with a sense of indulgence and empowerment.

But lyrically, there are moments which come off wrong. Most notably, Hurry features lines like "Keep your eyes on this body / If you like what you see take your hands and grab it", before she gives up on words altogether and devolves into orgasmic moaning.

That said, there are also incredible stand out moments like hip-hop track Rose in Harlem and the 90s club anthem-inspired WTP, the latter of which takes the album in a whole new direction.

The up-tempo dance number is the eighth track where the project's other albums only had seven, and it includes samples from cult ballroom film Paris is Burning, including the last line: "I want so much more, I want my name to be a household product."

Is this a sign of more to come? I hope so, because at 22 minutes and in the shadow of Kanye's project, K.T.S.E teetered on the edge of greatness but never quite ticked over - but Taylor could and she should.

Teyana Taylor, K.T.S.E

Artist: Teyana Taylor
Album: K.T.S.E (Keep The Same Energy)
Label: G.O.O.D Music
Verdict: A rich, sultry R&B revival with far more to give