Album Review, NewsJuly 24, 2026July 24, 2026No Comment

Tyla A*POP Album Review: Tracklist, Best Songs, Features & Rating (2026)

Tyla APOP* Album Review: A Fearless Celebration of African Pop’s Global Future

Every generation produces an artist capable of reshaping how the world experiences African music. For Tyla, A*POP feels like that defining statement. Rather than simply following the blueprint established by her breakthrough success, the South African singer delivers an ambitious sophomore album that embraces her identity while pushing her artistry into exciting new territory.

Across fourteen tracks, Tyla explores confidence, romance, vulnerability and self-expression through a vibrant fusion of amapiano, Afropop, R&B and contemporary pop. The album never abandons the rhythmic DNA that made her one of Africa’s fastest-rising stars. Instead, it refines that formula with stronger songwriting, richer production and performances that reflect an artist growing more comfortable with global expectations.

A*POP arrives during one of the most competitive years in music, joining a growing list of headline releases covered by Aswehiphop, including T.I.’s Kill The King album review and everything currently known about Drake’s upcoming Iceman album. While each project represents a different corner of the industry, Tyla’s latest effort proves that African pop continues to command an increasingly important place in the global conversation.

According to The Guardian, A*POP presents Tyla as an artist confidently embracing early-2000s pop influences while remaining rooted in African sounds. Meanwhile, Pitchfork highlighted the album as a bold continuation of her creative evolution, while the official album pages on Apple Music confirm the project’s 14-song tracklist and featured collaborations.

📊 Tyla – APOP* Album Statistics

Before diving into the review, here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about A*POP. From its release date and genre to featured artists and record label, these statistics provide a snapshot of Tyla’s sophomore studio album.

Album: A*POP
Artist: Tyla
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Album Type: Second Studio Album
Genre: Afropop, Amapiano, Pop, R&B
Total Tracks: 14
Featured Artists: Zara Larsson, Liquideep, MaWhoo & Babalwa M
Record Label: FAX Records & Epic Records
Primary Producers: Tyla and an international production team blending amapiano, Afropop and contemporary pop influences.
Standout Songs: IS IT LOVE, KISS, IS IT, CHANEL, HOT TUBS
Streaming Platforms: Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer and other major digital services.
Previous Album: Tyla (2024)
Page Status: Continuously Updated By Aswehiphop

As additional chart positions, certifications and commercial milestones are announced, Aswehiphop will continue updating this page to ensure readers have the latest verified information surrounding A*POP.

APOP* Tracklist

A*POP contains 14 tracks that showcase Tyla’s continued evolution as one of Africa’s leading global artists. The album blends amapiano, Afropop, contemporary R&B and mainstream pop into a cohesive listening experience while introducing a handful of carefully selected collaborations. Rather than relying on one formula, Tyla explores different moods and sounds, allowing each song to contribute to the album’s overall identity.

IS IT LOVE
THAT GIRL
KISS
IS IT
FAIRYTALE (feat. Liquideep)
DOUBLE BLIND
FEEL SOMETHING
RIGHT NOW
MR. NONCHALANT
SHE DID IT AGAIN (feat. Zara Larsson)
CHANEL
CRAZY OF ME (feat. MaWhoo)
I DON’T CARE (feat. Babalwa M)
HOT TUBS

From infectious dance records to emotionally driven performances, the tracklist reflects Tyla’s artistic confidence and willingness to experiment without abandoning the African influences that define her music. Songs such as IS IT LOVE, KISS, CHANEL and HOT TUBS have already generated strong fan reactions, while collaborations with Zara Larsson, Liquideep, MaWhoo and Babalwa M add fresh dimensions to the project.

If you’re interested in more artist discographies and yearly release roundups, don’t miss our Songs & Features compilations, where we track new music from some of hip-hop and Afrobeats’ biggest names throughout the year.

Why APOP* Matters

A*POP isn’t just another pop album—it’s another milestone in the growing global influence of African music. Over the past few years, artists from Africa have continued to reshape mainstream music, and Tyla has positioned herself at the forefront of that movement. Instead of separating amapiano from commercial pop, she proves the two can coexist while reaching audiences across multiple continents.

The project also reflects Tyla’s willingness to evolve creatively without abandoning the sound that introduced millions of listeners to her music. While several tracks embrace polished pop production, the album never loses its South African identity, allowing Tyla to remain authentic while continuing to expand internationally. That balance is one of the biggest reasons why A*POP feels more like artistic progression than a commercial reinvention.

Industry publications have also recognized the album’s significance. Pitchfork described A*POP as the beginning of a bold new era for Tyla, while The Guardian praised the album’s confident blend of nostalgic pop and African influences. The official Apple Music album page further highlights the project’s carefully curated 14-track experience.

At Aswehiphop, we continue documenting some of 2026’s biggest releases across different genres. If you’re exploring more projects released this year, you can also read our in-depth review of T.I.’s Kill The King, catch up on everything we know about Drake’s upcoming Iceman, or browse our regularly updated Songs & Features compilations covering hip-hop’s biggest artists.

About APOP*

A*POP is Tyla’s sophomore studio album, released through FAX Records and Epic Records. The project marks another important chapter in her career as she continues to bridge African music with mainstream global pop. Across fourteen tracks, Tyla embraces the sounds that helped define her artistry while experimenting with new melodies, collaborations and production styles that showcase her growth as both a vocalist and songwriter.

Unlike many follow-up albums that attempt to recreate the success of a breakout project, A*POP focuses on artistic progression. The album explores themes of love, confidence, independence and self-discovery, all delivered through Tyla’s signature blend of amapiano rhythms, Afropop melodies, contemporary R&B and polished pop production. The result is a project that feels familiar to longtime fans while introducing new elements that broaden her international appeal.

The album also features carefully selected collaborations that complement Tyla’s vision instead of overshadowing it. Guest appearances from Zara Larsson, Liquideep, MaWhoo and Babalwa M add fresh perspectives throughout the project, helping create an album that remains cohesive from beginning to end.

In the months leading up to the album’s release, anticipation continued to build as Tyla previewed several records and teased the direction of her new era. According to Billboard, Tyla has continued establishing herself as one of the most influential young artists bringing African music to mainstream audiences, while Rolling Stone has highlighted her growing impact on global pop culture.

For readers following this year’s biggest releases, A*POP joins an impressive list of projects we’ve covered on Aswehiphop, including our complete T.I. Kill The King album review and our ongoing coverage of Drake’s Iceman. As Tyla’s career continues to evolve, this page will be updated with the latest milestones, achievements and critical reception surrounding the album.

Commercial Performance & Critical Reception

Within hours of its release, A*POP generated significant attention across digital streaming platforms and social media, reinforcing Tyla’s position as one of the fastest-rising international artists from Africa. Fans praised the album’s polished production, memorable songwriting and the way it expands her signature sound without abandoning the amapiano influences that introduced her to a global audience.

Music critics also responded positively to the project. The Guardian praised Tyla’s confidence and artistic growth, highlighting her ability to blend nostalgic pop influences with contemporary African rhythms. Meanwhile, Pitchfork noted that the album represents another important step in Tyla’s evolution as a global recording artist, while Billboard continues to document her growing commercial impact and international reach.

Although opinions differ on which songs stand out the most, there is broad agreement that A*POP demonstrates noticeable artistic maturity. Reviewers have particularly praised Tyla’s vocal performances, the album’s cohesive production and her willingness to experiment with different sounds while remaining true to her musical identity.

Commercially, the album is expected to remain one of Tyla’s strongest streaming releases to date. As official first-week sales, chart positions, certifications and additional milestones are announced, Aswehiphop will continue updating this page with verified information to ensure readers have the most accurate coverage available.

If you’re interested in more reviews of this year’s biggest releases, be sure to read our review of T.I.’s Kill The King, explore everything we know about Drake’s upcoming Iceman, or browse our growing collection of Songs & Features compilations, where we track new music from today’s biggest artists.

Where to Stream APOP*

If you’re ready to experience A*POP, the album is available on all major streaming services worldwide. Whether you use Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music or Deezer, you can listen to the complete project through Tyla’s official artist profiles. Streaming from official platforms helps support the artist while ensuring the best available audio quality.

For the best listening experience, we recommend using the official Apple Music and Spotify players embedded below.

Explore More on Aswehiphop

If you enjoyed this review, continue exploring the latest music coverage on Aswehiphop. Our editorial team regularly publishes album reviews, artist compilations, breaking hip-hop news and release guides covering today’s biggest names across hip-hop, Afrobeats, amapiano and global music.

Disclaimer: This review was independently written by Aswehiphop for editorial and informational purposes. Album artwork, artist names, song titles and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Music players embedded on this page are provided through official streaming services to support the artist and rights holders.