With “Is It Love?”, Tyla continues to show that she is growing into her artistry with every release. As the opening track from her upcoming album, APOP*, the song feels like a statement of intent from an artist who is becoming increasingly comfortable in her own sound.
The track immediately distinguishes itself through its opening guitar riff. At first listen, it does not immediately register as a Tyla record, and that is precisely what makes it interesting. For a moment, the listener is pulled into unfamiliar territory before her vocals arrive and bring the song back into recognizable ground. It is a subtle but effective reminder that while Tyla’s identity remains intact, while her sound continues to evolve.
Tapping into the vulnerability of modern romance
At the center of the song is a question: “Is it love if you don’t cry, cry?” It is a line that reflects modern conversations around romance. In recent times, love has become closely associated with heartbreak, emotional struggle, and tears. For many people, love almost feels incomplete without some form of pain attached to it. Through that question, Tyla taps into a reality many listeners will recognize, asking whether love is still love if it does not leave you hurting. The simplicity of the question also makes it incredibly catchy, helping the chorus linger in the mind’s of listeners long after the song ends.
Yet, despite the uncertainty in the lyrics, “Is It Love?” never sounds vulnerable in the way one might expect.
This is where the song becomes most interesting. The lyrics suggest uncertainty and emotional questioning, but Tyla’s delivery tells a different story. She sings with confidence, control, and self-assurance, making the record feel less like someone searching desperately for answers and more like someone comfortably exploring her emotions. Rather than sounding overwhelmed by love, she sounds completely in command of herself.
Vocal command highlights a refined artistic evolution
Her vocals are the star of the record. The production complements them without competing for attention, allowing her voice to remain the focal point throughout. There is a confidence in her tone that gives the song much of its personality. It is a performance that shows growth, not only in vocal delivery but also in artistic presence.
More importantly, “Is It Love?” highlights Tyla’s evolution as an artist. Her sound remains unique and unmistakably hers, but there is a noticeable sense of growth in how she approaches the record. She sounds more refined, more assured, and more willing to experiment without losing the qualities that made listeners gravitate toward her music in the first place.
“Is It Love?” may be built around a question, but Tyla delivers it with remarkable certainty. As an introduction to APOP*, the song suggests an artist who is not only evolving but becoming increasingly confident in that evolution. The result is a record that is catchy, refreshing, and further proof that Tyla continues to improve with every release.
If “Is It Love?” is any indication of what is to come, listeners have every reason to expect an exceptional album from Tyla.
