Teyana Taylor

K.T.S.E.

These missteps seem a relatively small price to pay for a record that melds new and old R&B with such flair.

Because Taylor’s releases are rare, she’s not restricted by genre constraints, and K.T.S.E. (Keep That Same Energy) is a pleasant surprise.

Divorced from the Wyoming media circus, what we’re left with is a really good left-field pop album that introduces an exciting new singer to the world with all the fanfare she deserves.

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.

K.T.S.E. ends up being the most fun of any of G.O.O.D. Music's recent releases, existing without the self-seriousness that weighed down the albums from Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Nas and West himself.

Through sampling soulful R&B spanning the last five decades ... Taylor creates an unapologetic record of late-night slow jams that stem from a more mature, experienced perspective.

K.T.S.E. is a strong start with an anticlimactic finish. With a bit of additional time and effort, it could have been so much more.

Still lacking a distinct voice as a singer and lyricist, Teyana Taylor is frequently outshined by her collaborators on K.T.S.E.

The musical and vocal performances on K.T.S.E. are Teyana Taylor's strongest. But in terms of messaging, she still needs to get in formation.