Picture: Getty Images/Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Tyla dropped her second studio album, A*POP, on 24 July 2026, and it has since been a sensation in the South African music scene. The album is a phenomenal, refined blend of African pop and amapiano, with electric elements and heavy guitar influences.
It is genre-bending and barrier-breaking.
Also see: Tyla secures Top 50 Billboard 200 debut with new album
Musical breakdown
The line-up of the album is rich, vibrant, and packed. The singer starts off the album with heavy guitar and electric sounds. IS IT LOVE follows with another electric sound with a gripping bass and subtle kwaito influences. A lot of the first few songs are nostalgic for late 90s and early 2000s kwaito, specifically THAT GIRL and KISS.
Tyla then moves into a deep- house influence with FAIRYTALE and DOUBLE BLIND, entering the 2010-2014 musical era. RIGHT NOW is a beautiful approach to drill music; her voice lightens the heavy bass and drums of the instrumental.
Also see: Tyla set to light up Gold Reef City with ‘A*POP’ takeover
Overall take on the album
Sonically, this album is an intentional expression of the expansive sound African artists can produce in the pop genre. Tyla was able to take some of the most iconic eras of music in South Africa and turn them into a contemporary sound as well as her own.
The influences, though subtle, are there and add to the vibrant energy the album carries. With songs like RIGHT NOW that have the drill genre element, and SHE DID IT AGAIN with the dancehall element, the album shows her statement that she is not only a pop star, but also an international pop star.
Tyla’s description A*POP
During the album rollout, Tyla gave an in-depth explanation in various interviews, detailing the significance of A*POP, the genre it belongs to, and the influence attached to the sound. She explained to Billboard that many of the sounds that influenced the album were songs and music she listened to growing up from international and local artists.
Detailing the intention behind a certain liberation she wanted to express in the album, she stated that she didn’t want to limit herself and explore as much as she possibly could.
In another interview, Tyla noted that she finished off the album in South Africa, with the intention to carry out specific childhood memories in nature and the bush. With all that she described, the energy and vibe she was intentional about expressing in the album clearly translates.
The production is liberal, fresh, unique and vibrant.
Also see: Tyla secures Top 50 Billboard 200 debut with new album
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