Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas of TLC. Photo / Supplied
TLC's self-titled album starts off with so much promise.
No Introductions kicks off with chants of "TLC, TLC", making throwback references like "we don't need no scrubs, just some waterfalls" and the declaration: "We back".
It's fresh and catchy as hell with some killer production, but still feels like the TLC we all remember and love.
Then their hit single Way Back kicks in with some old-school vibes and a guest feature from Snoop Dogg that makes you certain this is peak TLC meets 2017.
But then it all kind of goes downhill.
It's Sunny is a weird 70s disco dance track that feels more dated than retro, Haters and Perfect Girls are like a combined second take on Unpretty, and Joy Ride often sounds far too much like Mya and Blackstreet's Take Me There.
Throughout the album, they switch between heartfelt ballads about love and self worth, and heavily produced tracks about sex and adultery, one of which sounds like a musical theatre song and repeats the word "motherf***er", presumably to appear edgy.
The problem is simply that TLC don't seem to have made a choice between making a nostalgia album or a comeback album. Either that or they purposefully walked the line and came up short.
That, and their songwriting doesn't seem to have evolved too much in the last 15 years since 3D or even the past 23 years since CrazySexyCool.
And of course, the absence of Lisa Left Eye Lopes is heavily felt (although they do pay tribute to the late star in an interlude), and you have to wonder if she's the missing ingredient that could've elevated this album.
It's not a great album, nor is it particularly strong. What it is, however, is a real treat for TLC fans - many of whom helped crowdfund the album in the first place and will no doubt be delighted by the nostalgia.
Artist: TLC
Album: TLC
Label: 852 Musiq/Liberator Music
Verdict: Not a strong comeback, but one for the fans.
This year of TV has had something for everyone.