Tyla Leans Deep Into Her Roots on APop*
- Luca Cassese
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Luca Cassese
Writer
July 28, 2026
APop*, the sophomore album by South African superstar and two-time Grammy-winning artist Tyla, officially released after a nearly year-long rollout.
Last July, Tyla released WWP (We Wanna Party), an EP acting as a bridge toward her next album. It brings out the amapiano sound of her home country, with a style that take her back to her roots. The project itself was a staple of the sound that first put her on the map before "Water" became a global hit, with Tyla choosing to lean deeper into the South African influences that separate her from the rest of mainstream pop.
The standout track, "IS IT," even crosses that bridge, being the first of many lead singles to appear on APop*. Released months ahead of the album, it gave listeners an early look at the direction Tyla planned to take. Another major single, "SHE DID IT AGAIN," featured Swedish superstar Zara Larsson, who has recently found herself back in the mainstream pop conversation, with both artists bringing a balance of dance-pop and R&B without either one overshadowing the other. As more singles followed, it became clear that Tyla wasn't planning on changing her formula heading into her second album.
Being that the album's name means "African Pop," the overall sound is built around an amapiano percussion and polished pop production, whilst still not having anything all that different from what Tyla has done in the past. In a recent interview, she said she intentionally stayed away from making a lyrically heavy album. Instead, she wanted to focus on the production and the feeling of the music. That approach is heard throughout nearly every song. The South African drums remain front and center on most tracks, continuing with her unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop that has defined her career since the beginning.
There are a few standout tracks, though, like the intro, "IS IT LOVE," and "KISS." "IS IT LOVE" opens the album with some of its strongest production, immediately introducing the bright percussion that carries through much of the record. "KISS" follows with the same energy, pairing Tyla's soft melodies with production that feels made for clubs and festivals. Neither song tries to do anything completely unexpected, but both succeed because they fully commit to the sound the album is built around. Tyla's melodic compliments to vibrant production make for a fun, yet overall safe, album.
If an artist's intent is to stick to what they are good at, it can be viewed as both a respectable and lazy option. There is nothing wrong with building on a sound that already works, but there also comes a point where listeners expect some sort of progression. Complacency as an artist is an easy path to fall down, which is why expanding on a sound is just as important as creating it in the first place. APop* is enjoyable from start to finish, but it rarely steps outside the lane Tyla has already created for herself. If her next album fails to expand on the sound her fans are used to, then the act may very easily become stale.
Edited by: Jade Read
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