Tyla Drops New Single 'Is It Love' Ahead of Sophomore Album A-Pop

Tyla is back with "Is It Love," a new single that keeps the momentum building toward her sophomore album A-Pop, dropping July 24. The South African pop star centers the track on a simple but loaded question: does love even count if your partner won't show emotion? "Don't mean shit if I don't see tears in those eyes," she sings on the chorus. Direct as ever.

The production blends electric guitar with sweltering club beats, landing somewhere between a late-night dancefloor and a slow-burn confrontation. Reviewers are already drawing early Rihanna comparisons, and the Aerin Moreno-directed video leans into that energy with early-2000s pop visuals that feel deliberate rather than nostalgic.

What 'Is It Love' Tells Us About Tyla's A-Pop Era

This single follows her recent collab with Zara Larsson, "She Did It Again," which means Tyla is arriving at this album rollout with real heat already in the room. Two singles in and A-Pop is shaping up to be a project with range: collaborative pop moments alongside more personal, emotionally direct cuts like this one.

Tyla broke through globally with "Water" and has been one of the more interesting pop artists to watch since, precisely because she doesn't flatten her South African roots for a mainstream audience. The A-Pop title itself signals something intentional about that positioning, and the rollout is giving fans and critics plenty to sit with before the full project lands.

For independent artists and creators tracking how major releases are structured, this rollout is worth studying. Strategic singles, a feature collab, a visually specific music video with a named director, and a clear release date. Each piece does real work before the album even arrives.

If you're an artist working on your own release strategy, [share your music with us](/submit) and let the community weigh in.

What to Watch Before July 24

With A-Pop less than six weeks out, expect at least one more single before the full album drops. Tyla's team has been deliberate about each rollout move, so watch for any visual or performance moments between now and the release date. The album itself will be the real test of whether this era cements her as a long-term global pop force or a strong debut act still finding her footing. Based on what's landed so far, the former looks more likely.