“For Broken Ears” is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems. It was produced primarily by Tems, along with production from Spax, Omeiza and Tejiri Akpoghene, and was released on 25 September 2020 by Leading Vibes Limited.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ARTISTE
Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as TEMS, is a Nigerian songwriter and singer and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s single title “essence in 2020. In September 2020 that same year, Tems released her debut extended play, for the broken ears.
It was produced primarily by her and the single “Damages” from the EP became another follow up hit to “Try me” her second single, peaking at No. 1 on the Nigeria apple music chart. Tems is an R&B and Hip pop Artist.
From the beginning of the EP a connection was created between the tracks. There is an allusion to the story being told. At first listen, there was a lot of connection that took my heart to a love story. Its composition created synergies that took me back to listening over and over again.
“FOR BROKEN EARS”
Tems debut EP ‘For Broken Ears’ features seven amazing tracks. From “Temilade interlude” to “Free Mind” is pure work of art. The fact that the EP was primarily produced by her gives insight to her pattern and kind of music.
The opening track “Temilade Interlude” where her mother talks of her birth and her name creates a connection between her works and how the aura of confidence she has created for herself.
Her track list consists of R&B and Hip Hop and an afro pop track. Her previous and debut single “Mr Rebel” created waves in the industry. She kept the momentum in her second single “Try Me” and throughout ‘The Broken Ears EP’.
There were transitions in mood from Joyful to Sad romance to happy vibes and freedom to expression. Generally the theme around the tracks seemed to carry a lot of her heart poured out, a bit of heart break to romantic expression and feeling of Love.
In “higher” one of the stand out tracks in the EP she gives the impression that she was losing in the game of love but was not ready to give up. There were a lot of tensions going on between the lyrics especially when she asked “if the world was ending, would you cry or would you try to get me, tell me now; I need you to be plain”
Her major hits in the EP are “Higher”, ”Damages”, and “Free Mind.” Tems’ lyrics were straight forward, her mind was aired and the expressions were pure and relatable. From the Hip Pop flavor we got to the Afro feeling in these tracks, her musical prowess sets in.
OVERALL RATING AND FINAL COMMENTS
Lyrics: 8/10
Soundtrack: 10/10
Vocals: 8/10
Bounce: 7/10
Interconnectivity: 8/10
0verall Ratings: 9/10
“For Broken Ears” is a project made with passion and self discovery. Tems has found her paths among the artistes she grew up idolizing and deserves accolades for the well curated tracks on the debut EP.
