Album Review: Teyana Taylor - "VII" (Track By Track)

I, legit, to this day, have no idea how Teyana Taylor found her way into the celebrity spotlight. I keep hearing something about a 'Super Sweet Sixteen' episode but my only recent memories of her are twerking vids on IG (she be dancing her ass off) and twitter beef(s) with Rihanna. Honestly I don't really care. I just care about the music. Can she sing? Is she worthy of my praise? I can almost, if I shut my eyes really tightly, recall the buzz surrounding her 2008 single "Google Me" but

Her mixtape "The Miseducation of Teyana Taylor" completely went over my head. Probably because L Boogie's album is a classic that shan't be parroted by nan singer...no matter who you are. I have seen a few singing clips on Instagram so I was VERY interested in hearing her official debut album...and the end result passed my test. VII is so named for her many, many years of signed silence and because it is the number of completion. I'm just glad she finally completed the album.
1. "Out Of My League" (Interlude)

Interesting way to start off an album...noted.

2. "Just Different"

Teyana opens up with a classic 90s R&B sound and is representing for us ladies with the raspy voices. Her signature sound is deep, soulful and rightfully deemed "Just Different". That is, until Brandy returns to music. I know she on the phone like

3. "Request"

Girl you better give me Brandy tease and neo soul all rolled in one laid back cool AF track! And it's not even laid back in the way that Jhene Aiko puts you to sleep. It's slow, sexy, and genuine talent all wrapped up in the flawless Teyana Taylor body.

4. "Do Not Disturb" (Feat. Chris Brown)

BFNFNDKKSLSLALSLA BITCH YOU BETTER TF GIVE ME EV-VERY-FUCKING THING! I'm slain in the spirit of music right now. Please do not disturb me as I listen to this track on repeat. I'm in this bitch thinking I can dance like

5. "Broken Hearted girl" (Feat. Fabolous)

Fabolous still raps...? Let me block him out right quick...ok the song I like. Aside from a few minor hiccups like Fab on the track, and whatever TF is happening at the end, I'm here for her sound and this song. I just need a little more upbeat because her album is giving me monotone, Clear Eyes, Dry Eyes tease. All you can do to every song is

6. "It Could just Be Love" (Interlude)

I think she meant snippet...

7. "Put Your Love On"

FINALLY UPTEMPO! Girl I'm trying so hard not to compare you to the other drowsy ass artists out there but you're clearly hellbent on putting me TF to sleep. Luckily this track brought me up out of my stupor because you were for sure about to lose me.

8. "Maybe" (Feat. Pusha T and Yo Gotti)

This track is AMAZING! I can see why this was released as a single. It's sexy, sensual, and still uptempo. THIS is what I needed from her. A balance. Pusha T's verse could give life to the deceased whereas Yo Gotti murdered the spirit of every little boy and girl like the Grinch who stole Christmas. I was like

9. "Dreams"

I thought this was Brandy. No lie. At this point I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not. The lyrics were blehhh at best. She was slaying the chorus vocally though. 

10. "Sorry"

I'm sorry you didn't know how to love me/I'm sorry I wasn't beautiful to you/I'm sorry, you just didn't understand how to be my man/I'm sorry you couldn't make me happy/And I'm so sorry you never learned how/I'm so sorry it had to be this way/But my heart is so good now 

Listen here bitch. These vocals. I'm speechless. Teyana prayed to the musical gawds to give her thee anointing of Jazmin Sullivan and the runs of Brandy. Gawd smiled down at his handy work and knew that it was good. Amen.

11. "Business"

Was this an interlude? I was vibing to the Ginuwine inspired mix and then it just cut the hell off. Short ass track. 

12. "In The Air"

So right before I leave I put one in the air for love, love, love. This track is cute. Slightly more uptempo than others. I accept this offering.

13. "Out Of My League"

I have never in my life told a dude that he was outta my damn league so I'm just trying to make sense of the lyrics. Does. Not. Compute. At any rate, it sounds nice. Nothing to really write home about. At least it's lowkey uptempo.

14. "It Could Just Be Love"

Not an ideal ending to me, personally. More of the same ole, same ole, Teyana's been giving this entire album--very slow and solemn. To end with a damn near comatose track was well, not very smart. I need some diversity to keep my attention.

The majority of the album is grown and sexy, with layers of intimacy from love, sex, affairs, and broken hearts. A prime example being the Breezy collab "Do Not Disturb" which is dripping with sexual tension and is damn near erotic. In pieces this album is great but listening to all these slow songs back to back is damn near painful. I give Teyana an A for effort in the vocals department. She tried to change up her sound but got stuck mostly in her comfort zone of soft and sultry which gives me Tinashe tease, but with Brandy undertones. And are we really in the market for a Brandy "the sequel"? HOWEVER, I will say this, I would love a powerful, no holds barred, ballad from somebody though...ANYBODY.

This album is a solid effort: honest, well produced, and with some nice features to bring it full circle. I would've liked for her to take more risks, diversify her sound (the instrumentals for sure!), and test her vocal range a bit more but maybe next album. And perhaps extend the tracks...who wants 30 two minute tracks? I am not Jamaican and this is not reggae. And I didn't review the interludes because I'm not understanding why they were just snippets of the actual track? 

For the most part it's worth a listen, and being added to your musical rotation because it definitely vibes. Just make sure it's on shuffle so other songs mix in and Teyana doesn't leave you depressed like Sade does.

"VII" is online and in stores now!

Natasha Marie