Tyla, IS IT LOVE | Song Review

Great vocals, tuneful melodies, memorable lyrics, and vibrant production make “IS IT LOVE” another bop for Grammy-winning South African pop sensation Tyla.

[nx_pullquote]“Is it love? Is it love if you don’t cry, cry, cry?”[/nx_pullquote] That is the recurring question that Grammy-winning South African pop singer-songwriter Tyla asks on “IS IT LOVE”. “IS IT LOVE” is the opening track and fourth single from her sophomore album, A*POP. Tyla, Bibi Bourelly, Dougie F, and producers P2J and Cole YoursTruly wrote the standout song.

“IS IT LOVE” bears similarities to other Tyga songs, which is a positive.  It benefits from its fresh, vibrant production, first and foremost. I adore the blend of pop, R&B, and Afrobeats.  The guitar, performed by Cole YoursTruly, provides a mean, ear-catching punch and contrasts with her past songs. The star of the show is Tyla, who brings it with her commanding, confident, and top-notch vocal performance. “Ain’t an option, you can’t pick and choose,” she sings in the first verse, and concludes, “I’m the only one that light up your mood.” CLOCK IT! More clocking goes down in the second verse. “Put your hands on my body like masseuse / And you the one that’s gon’ ignite my fuse,” she sings, and continues, “And add some more fuel and light up the room? / You gotta know when to be soft and how to stay hard without no excuse.” Oh, the innuendo! A melodious record, it’s tuneful from the opening to the closing tip, not to mention catchy lyrically. Preceded by pre-choruses with varying lyrics, the chorus, excerpted earlier, is the crème de la crème:

“Is it love? Is it love if you don’t cry, cry, cry? (Cry, cry, cry)

Don’t mean shit if I don’t see tears in those eyes

Is it love? Is it love if you don’t cry, cry, cry? (Cry, cry, cry)

Don’t mean shit if I don’t see tears.”

Tyla said what she said. Also, shout out the bridge, where she encourages him to “Learn my body inside out.” Ooh-wee!  In short, “IS IT LOVE” is another bop from Tyla. Great vocals, tuneful melodies, memorable lyrics, and colorful, well-rounded production make this a win.