K.T.S.E.
by Teyana Taylor
  • Record Label: G.O.O.D.
  • Release Date: Jun 23, 2018
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 146
  3. Negative: 15 out of 146
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  1. clem666
    Aug 14, 2020
    6
    With 'K.T.S.E.' Teyana Taylor created more what looks like an EP than a real album. Broadly spreaking it is a good album. Teyana came up with interesting ideas, various tempos, touching lyrics. No doubt about it, her voice is really beautiful and it seems like she can successfully perform in multiple genres with it.
    Now let's get to the flaws of 'K.T.S.E.' and oh boy i'm so disappointed    With 'K.T.S.E.' Teyana Taylor created more what looks like an EP than a real album. Broadly spreaking it is a good album. Teyana came up with interesting ideas, various tempos, touching lyrics. No doubt about it, her voice is really beautiful and it seems like she can successfully perform in multiple genres with it.
    Now let's get to the flaws of 'K.T.S.E.' and oh boy i'm so disappointed by them because they are saddly numerous. Some tracks are really short. It often feels like the song stops a few seconds too early, just before you deeply get into it. We can clearly notice Kanye's contribution in that last point (who also struggled to produce more than 3 minutes songs in his last albums 'ye', 'Kids See Ghosts' and 'Jesus Is King', but it is another debate). Unfortunately, Kanye's input doesn't stop here because not only he is featured in this album, but we can also feel his personal touch in the selected samples. And it is surely not Teyana who decided to put this wierd orgasm sounds in 'Hurry'... I don't thank you for this, Ye. Please keep your strange fantasies for yourself. The real problem I want to highlight here is that it sometimes felt like I was listening to another Kanye album rather than one of Teyana. That's a shame because this makes it less personal.
    Then I think Teyana's voice is absolutely not at its best. We hear she can do better but we never witness it in 'K.T.S.E.'. We barely always stay in a soft singing and whispering R&B style, but we never hear what she really is capable of.
    Finally, what an idea to end this EP/album on the 'WTP' track ? All the project is calm, relaxing and soft but the very last track feels like a repetitive old-disco song ? Mykki Blanco sounds like he did not understand the artistic direction of the album and just came to mess it up. I truly don't get it. And this reinforce my idea that Teyana should have extended this album.
    In conclusion, good album but too many glitches ruining it according to me.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2018
97
#97 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. PopMatters
    Aug 1, 2018
    60
    It is absolutely true that the musical and vocal performances here are Taylor's strongest. But in terms of messaging, she still needs to get in formation.
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  2. The A.V. Club
    Jun 29, 2018
    75
    K.T.S.E. should’ve been a breakout moment for her, but it was rushed to release to hit West’s schedule, and as such feels undercooked and unfocused. Make no mistake: There’s great “polo Kanye” stuff here, from the make-up-and-make-out ride of “Gonna Love Me” to the fierce autobiography of “Rose In Harlem.” The atomic ballroom “WTP” feels beamed in from another dimension.
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  3. Consequence
    Jun 28, 2018
    67
    Taylor creates an unapologetic record of late-night slow jams that stem from a more mature, experienced perspective. ... The forwardness [in “3way”] is welcome, but the angle Taylor takes is questionable.
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