K.T.S.E.: A Long-Awaited Showcase of Teyana Taylor's Talent

A deep-dive into Taylor's 2018 album and its place in the G.O.O.D. Music series.

Teyana Taylor has been part of the music industry for a significant duration, commencing her career at Pharrell's Star Trak label. Her first full-length studio album, VII, took almost a decade to see the light of day in 2014. This debut LP blended sophisticated and bold pop influences, but a lack of substantial promotional efforts diminished its impact.

Throughout time, her ascent to stardom has been associated primarily with her participation in other domains of the entertainment industry, including her captivating dance exhibition in the music video for Kanye West's The Life of Pablo track titled "Fade," as well as her unreserved personal experiences with her partner, NBA athlete Iman Shumpert, on their joint reality program. Now, the stage seems ready for her extraordinary vocal abilities to shine again.

Although long-awaited, Taylor's most recent work, K.T.S.E. (an acronym for "Keep That Same Energy"), doesn't fully utilize the grandeur of her vocal skills. It's the last of five G.O.O.D. Music albums produced by Kanye West in Wyoming have less controversy attached to them, barring their postponed release. It could be considered the closest in feel to Kanye's earlier works.

The record exhibits numerous soul influences and displays Taylor's adaptability, with her skillful modern soul performances backed by classic genre elements. Her voice exudes a lush, seemingly effortless quality, whether adopting a rhythmic flow or delivering sultry, appealing notes.

Benefiting from an infrequent release cadence, Taylor enjoys the freedom of not being confined to a specific sound or style, enabling her to explore and evolve musically without restrictions. K.T.S.E. distinctively diverges from the trendy aesthetics of West's recent productions, prominently showcasing R&B influences. Teyana Taylor reinvents herself within this album, positioning herself as an advocate for classic R&B, enhanced by West's use of samples from vintage soul records.

Her solid vocal performances in "Gonna Love Me" and "Issues/Hold On" exemplify her successful transition into this new style, contrasting significantly with her 2014 hit "Maybe," which had a more contemporary rap and R&B fusion. K.T.S.E. stands out among recent G.O.O.D. Music releases for its lighter, more playful tone, a departure from the introspective and earnest undertones characterizing the works of Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Nas, and West himself.

The album's final track, "WTP," is particularly intriguing, though its multiple layers may require some analysis. Taylor's voice glides over a faux-vogue beat in this track while Mykki Blanco experiments as a ballroom commentator. The song cleverly straddles the line between a captivating refrain and a confidence-boosting mantra for anyone making a bold entrance. While the song fits Taylor's style, it raises questions regarding its production by Kanye West during a controversial period of his career.

Taylor's position in the R&B world can be compared to other strong, talented artists like Kehlani and SZA, who have unique perspectives but often are overshadowed in larger album productions and tours. Mosi Reeves highlighted This discrepancy in a piece for NPR, where he discussed the struggle of women of color in the pop industry.

The prominence and success of Kehlani and SZA's work have yet to match their evident talent, exemplified by the recognition SZA's album Ctrl received. The short duration of K.T.S.E., which is even briefer than Kanye's ye, may make it seem insignificant in the grand scheme of Kanye West's musical narrative for 2018. However, the album harbors the potential to showcase Taylor's immense talent on a much greater platform.