As things stand, Tyla’s rise to celebrity appears nearly certain. Arguably already in a high-profile position in the industry, her trajectory rises with each new release. While her record is still in its early stages, she has shown a talent for creating infectious songs in the genres of amapiano, Afropop, and afro-r&b. Among her songs, one stands out as a testament to her talent: ‘Water.’ Initially generating waves upon its release last year on July 28th, this summer sees its comeback, aided by the addition of a new perspective courtesy of Travis Scott in the remix.
The remix, which was released some four months after its predecessor, may not have surpassed the popularity of the original, but Travis’s presence undoubtedly adds to its charm. The slight changes, such as the amplified drum patterns and the addition of auto-tuned backing vocals, make this rendition a well-deserved and engaging reimagining. This musical transition is now enhanced from the viewpoint of a music video.
The visionary Nabil Elderkin directs the visual narrative, which has a whimsical yet sensual tone. Elderkin creates a mesmerising style by using a rich palette dominated by deep blues and contrasting it with the fluidity of water, which matches the song’s lyrics. Throughout the video, Tyla takes on the persona of a mystery seductress, her attraction heightened by the cryptic allure she radiates. Meanwhile, Travis Scott stays tantalisingly out of reach, separated from Tyla by a translucent barrier that represents the song’s longing and desire. As the film progresses, their magnetic attraction drags them further closer until they form a climactic union.
Tyla’s eponymous first album is set to release on Friday, March 22nd, as excitement builds. With an amazing list of features that includes Becky G, Tems, Gunna, SKillibeng, and Kelvin Momo, this release promises to establish Tyla’s status as an industry force. With each project, she pushes the frontiers of current music, making an indelible impression on the cultural zeitgeist.