ALBUM REVIEW: Yaya Bey – Ten Fold

Big Dada

Released: 10.05.24

Buoyed by an intoxicating blend of soulful reflexivity and sonic exploration, Yaya Bey‘s sophomore album Ten Fold charts an immersive journey through the complexities of love, identity and self-discovery. Armed with crystalline vocals and arrestingly nuanced lyricism, Bey deftly weaves relatable tales steeped in vicarious emotionality, inviting listeners into her world with sincerity and acuity.

From the hypnotic lament that is Crying Through My Teeth to the vaunted affirmations of East Coast Mami, Bey’s narrative chops shine with authenticity and vulnerability, showcasing her sublime versatility. Sonically, the mellifluous bedrock of jazz-flecked R&B and electro filigrees provides the perfect foil for Bey, girding her poetics with layers of texture and atmosphere. Essential listening for all craving actual substance over empty posturing.