No sleep for the Wickedest: Tems' Debut Album Review + Bits on Ayra
Yet another album review but of my most anticipated one of the year, Tems' Born in the Wild. We talked more on Ayra Starr's album and concluded on why you shouldn't delete your pictures and videos.
Not me finishing my midnight prayers and immediately entering Tems’ album.
It’s a good thing I’m certain I will not be listening to vulgar music so no space for the enemies to thrive. I advise them to groove along.
This is definitely my most anticipated album release of the year.
I don’t know what to expect but I’m more excited than worried. I’m literally kicking my feet like a fat kid who loves cake.
Ladies and gentlemen, may we press play on to Tems’ debut album, Born in the Wild!
Eighteen tracks is a lot of songs but let’s go.
We’re starting off calm and on theme with this acoustic rendition of Born in the Wild.
This is the familiar Tems I know and love— not shy of those recurring hooks. I didn’t think she would change much of her delivery. I am expecting some songs that do sound like freestyles and Burning proves me just right.
Also, I will never not enjoy an interlude of Tems’ mother give us a childhood story.
The album starts off slow with the first three tracks, easing us in. The album does have 18 tracks so we’re not in a rush.
Here’s where things get interesting though—Wickedest. You’ll never be prepared for it. You’ll never be prepared for it. I promise you!
We might have found the queen of samples. I mean, if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. I will say that Tems has hacked the art of making samples her own. Wow.
One thing I’m enjoying about this album is the seamless flow. The arrangement so far is impeccable. I am having a good time.
The beats are bouncy, funky but not noisy. The vocals are neat, the delivery is calm as well. Like a long conversation with friends that started at 9pm and ends at 2am, only because you all have 8am classes and need to get up early.
Get it right featuring Asake made me say “Jesus”. The beat is very different from what I’m used to and yet familiar. Not because it’s anything new; it’s because I would expect to hear it on an Asake project featuring Tems and not the other way round. Does that make sense?
I highly recommend listening to this album with headphones. The sound engineering is one of my favourite qualities so far.
Now, we’re ushered into sultry Tems with Ready. Almost like we all got dressed up for a scene shot at a Jazz bar.
Listening to Gangsta reminds me of the first time I listened to Not An Angel. They sound alike and I think that’s why it’s not on the album. To me at least.
It is important to remember that Tems is someone who can actually claim not to be an Afrobeats artist. Even though, she is in touch with her Nigerian heritage (we hear this in few tracks on the album), she’s definitely an RnB and soul artist. It is the “Nigerian-ness” she adds that makes it alternative, in my opinion.
Truthfully, I do not expect many Nigerians to love the entire album. I am referring to people that solely listen to Afrobeats and are not open to trying other genres.
Because it is a long-ish album with eighteen tracks, I will say that songs like Gangsta, Boy O Boy and Unfortunate are filler songs. Don’t mistake my description for dislike. Far from that actually. It is an acquired taste. It is the core of RnB, soul, some Jazz—hinting some 80 & 90’s vibe.
For listeners of the likes of Lauryn Hill, Sade, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye will love Forever. This might be my favourite song after Get it Right. I’m struggling to pick one favourite and know I understand when parents say they don’t have a favourite child.
Now, the general public can come back to the table to join us for the devouring of Free Fall featuring J. Cole. While you will still need refined taste buds to appreciate this dish, I think it’ll receive great reception. Having Hip Hop’s favourite on it is a plus, but Tems’ vocals came out to shine on this one. And the guitar strings are simply mesmerising. It sounds cultural, like what Italians enjoy listening to.
Voices in My Head, another interlude shows the type of crowd Tems is surrounded by— some deep thinkers. Real solid people.
The interlude was perfect to lead us into the final quarter of the album.
I’ve never heard this delivery from Tems before—she didn’t stutter. The delivery on Turn Me Up is bold like that of a reggae artist with an intentional message. Almost like a tell-off. I also see that she has a different lyricist and composer on this particular song named Michael Hunter. Ronald Banful is the lyricist/ composer along with her on every other track. I’m glad she had other songwriters on this. She really did want to give her best to her supporters. As one, I’m grateful.
Me & U comes right after and sounds different—complete in its rightful place on the album. Pre-released songs always make more sense when you hear it on the album it was released from.
T-Unit’s beat sounds so similar to Michael Jackson’s Thriller beat but slowed down. I want to say that if MJ was alive and heard this album, he would actually like it. I don’t know if he’d have cared for the lyrics but I think he’d appreciate quality of delivery and production. Meanwhile she also sounds like she stole a page of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s rap book. She delivered her first verse with the same audacity she would have done. Go listen to Doo Wop (That Thing) for reference.
We’re getting to the end of the night with You in My Face. We’re easing back up with what could easily be played in a five star restaurant. Those strings. Wow.
And now the last track that plays while credits roll. Hold On is the perfect outro to this masterpiece.
If we ever questioned what type of artiste Tems is, this is the perfect answer. This is exactly what her debut album should sound like. It’s purely her.
She is an artist that appreciates and produces quality. An acquired taste. Her music is not for everyone. She’s more versatile than I thought.
Like I said before, I don’t think the average Nigerian will finish this album. However, they will love Wickedest and Get it Right.
On the other hand, RnB, Jazz, alternative and soul music lovers will love this album.
Listening to this album was a lovely experience. I know for sure that it’s music that can enter any room possible.
This album is what Victoria Monet’s Jaguar II album was to me in 2023 and Wizkid’s Made in Lagos in 2020 — my album of the year. Yeah I know it’s still early in the year but it’ll be a hard one to beat. This is timeless music to me.
10/10.
I just realised that I didn’t say hi.
Heyyy,
My plan for today was actually to review Ayra Starr’s album. That was before I knew Tems was releasing today.
I’m a huge fan of T baby trust me, but I genuinely forgot it was dropping today cause June said she’s here for a good time and not a long time, making lose count of the dates.
That aside, I have lost a bit of interest in reviewing Ayra just cause it’s not a fresh review like I usually do. That’s a mistake on my part honestly. I love listening and reviewing in real time. Every time I write ‘Press Play’ on here is when I actually press play.
However, what I have to say about Ayra’s album is that it is enjoyable music. I like it. A lot.
It sounds mainstream which is perfect for her because she is destined for the big big stage. But the twist is that it was made for Nigerians and not necessarily to appeal to foreigners. Do you get me? Talk about Moin-Moin served in banana leaves at the White House.
She is literally a star. I genuinely don’t think her village people could succeed in stopping her shine, even if they tried. Being Nigerian, they probably have.
I played the album twice and while I wasn’t totally sold on the first listen, I enjoyed the second listen. To me, I don’t think it takes away from how good the album is.
It’s a high energy album. The beats make me want to dance. The production is peak.
It is an extremely fun listen. Except for the one emotional track ‘The Kids are Alright’— a beautiful tribute to her late father. God rest his soul.
My favourite songs are Woman Commando, Control, Goodbye, Last Heartbreak Song, Birds of Money, Orun and Bad Vibes. A DJ mix of these tracks played in my presence will lead to a misrepresentation of my elegant character.
The only songs I would skip are Commas, Rhythm & Blues, 21, 1942 and The Kids are Alright. This is because for the first two, I have heard them so much that I’m tired. And for the latter, I will be listening to Ayra for everything but to be in my feelings. I love her music for how fun it is and it is the Afrobeats that I enjoy— it is fun music that’s not mediocre. The same quality I enjoy in Burna boy’s music.
The respect I have for her has tripled. What a piece of work.
So yeah, shout out to these two women for the amazing work and bragging rights. I’m a happy music-loving Nigerian twenty-something year old woman.
God is good.
Asake, you next sweetie.
Before I end this mail, I want to tell you not to delete your pictures and videos. I spent a large part of yesterday going through my old pictures, videos and voice notes from interesting times of my life. I had the biggest laughs and reflection.
The growth is so evident. It reminded me not to stress over life too much cause it too shall pass. It was funny to see that I still have that goofiness about me. There are several videos of me annoying and playing with my friends and family, dancing, graduating, surviving a terrible job. Also, there were so many memories in there that I barely remembered but those images were like piecing together a puzzle.
So, this is your sign to make and save those memories to your Google Drive or whatever before you delete to clear up space. When you stumble upon them in search of a video to post for your friend, I bet you’ll enjoy it and maybe you’ll have some reflections as well. You could even just make it an activity.
That’d be all from me this Friday!
This weekend, I will be visiting my friend then spending the rest of it sleeping in. Have a good weekend my dear.
Also, my song of the week is Tems’ Get it Right. Yes it came out today but I’ve already listened to it more times than I did anything else this week.
Do send me a mail if you want to talk. Let me know what you think of the album.
Stay safe,
XOXO