Tems Reigns in Love Is A Kingdom

By Roy OC Chukwu

 Tems' Love Is A Kingdom Review

Love Is A Kingdom Cover Art

By Roy OC Chukwu

Grammy Award-winning singer, record producer, and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, also known as Tems, released a new Extended Play titled 'Love is a Kingdom'. She complements the instrumental with her flow on this 7-track EP that lasts for 20 minutes. Her songwriting on "Love Is A Kingdom" stands out among her previous projects.


 On "First",  she delves into a rebellious theme, reminding herself of her individuality. As she self-produced "First", the track remains a danceable tune. The continuous piano sound gave it a melancholic output.
After putting herself before anyone else on 'First', Tems develops the emotional doubt theme on "I'm Not Sure". Produced by Jonah Christian and Rob Bisel, she layered her message like a bricklayer— as her verses and chorus are dependent on each other. The fast tempo beat elevates the mood of the track for listeners.
She develops a theme of isolation and introspection on "Big Daddy". Produced by Guiltybeatz and AoD, the fast tempo instrumental elevates the track to a dancing tune amidst its dispiriting theme.


 She breathes into a calmer atmosphere on "Lagos Love" with a mid-tempo produced by London and AoD. She explores the theme of emotional reciprocity. The adlibs in the chorus leave a remarkable heartfelt message on the mind of listeners.
She depicts reassurance in a domineering tone on "Mine". Another self-produced track that shines in a fast-tempo instrumental.
She explores the theme of this track in confusion and self-denial. "What You Need" thrives in a Rhythm and Blues (R&B) genre. Written and produced by herself and Ronaldo Banful, this track explores self-abandonment. The track's theme and production are reminiscent of her previous singles "Damages" and "Mr Rebel".
On "Is There A Reason", Tems explores  a theme of reawakening on this cut.
The lyric:
There's a dream that I always still
Was to find,  find myself in you — which,  paired with V-Ron's guitar-driven production and leaves a lasting emotional stamp on the mind of listeners.


 Compared to her previous projects, this EP has a notably danceable set of tracks, hard drums like a hammer, and a stronger chance of doing numbers with her team's efforts in promotion. Each track works in the atmosphere of love and romance. However, there is no complementary track to consolidate the title of the EP.


 Structurally, the EP begins with a fast-tempo instrumental with hard kicks setting the tone for the rest of the tracks. By the fourth track, the project shifts to a mid-tempo rhythm, only to return briefly to a fast-tempo on the fifth track. The sixth track rolls in a slow-tempo instrumental with a slow rhythm, while the enigmatic guitar sound on the last track brings the EP to an awakening closure.


 In Love Is A Kingdom, Tems demonstrates thematically how emotions could be perceived by two individuals involved in a relationship. While her songwriting skill  remains sharp and evocative, her delivery may be a challenge to some listeners due to tonal pronunciation. Nevertheless, her clever lyrics, soothing instrumentation, and confidence in maintaining zero features demonstrate that Tems is fully equipped to elevate her artistry to the next phase of her career.
Listen:
https://audiomack.com/temsbaby/album/love-is-a-kingdom-5645193?share-user-id=23460906


Location: Lagos, Nigeria

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