For Broken Ears Explained

For Broken Ears
Type:EP
Artist:Tems
Cover:Damages album art.jpg
Genre:R&B, Alté
Length:20:41
Label:Leading Vibes
Producer:
  • Tems
  • Spax
  • Omeiza
  • Tejiri Akpoghene
Next Title:If Orange Was a Place
Next Year:2021

For Broken Ears is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems.[1] 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.[2] It spawned front several hits in 2022, including "Higher" which was sampled on Future's number one Billboard Hot 100 hit "Wait for U" and "Free Mind" which debuted on the chart, gaining Tems her first solo appearance.[3]

Background and release

Tems began working on the EP in 2019. All the tracks were written and produced by Tems, except for the lead single "Damages" which was produced by Spax, and "Higher" produced by Tejiri Akpoghene. "The Key" was co-produced by Omeiza, who had worked on several previous songs with Tems.[4]

The lead single "Damages" was released on 18 September 2020, while the EP was released through Leading Vibes on 22 September 2020.[5]

Critical reception

For Broken Ears received generally positive reviews from music critics. Pitchfork praised the EP, calling it an "R&B record, with swirly synths and airy harmonies", while also noting that Tems's voice could be mistaken for that of an American or British singer. A review by Pulse Nigeria lauded it for the strong themes and tracks, especially "Damages" and "Ice T", while also adding its preferred track arrangement.[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[7] 28

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-09-25. A 1-Listen Review of Tems' 'For Broken Ears'. 2021-09-12. The Native.
  2. Web site: For Broken Ears EP Pitchfork. 2021-09-12. Pitchfork.
  3. Web site: @temsbaby "Free Mind" debut on the Billboard Hot 100 . 2022-07-28 . Twitter . en.
  4. Web site: Esomnofu. Emmanuel. "For Broken Ears": Does Tems Deliver On Her Debut Project? Notjustok. 29 September 2020 . 2021-09-12.
  5. Web site: Listen to Nigerian artist Tems' debut EP For Broken Ears. 2021-09-12. The Fader.
  6. Web site: 2020-10-01. Tems - For Broken Ears [EP Review]]. 2021-09-12. Pulse Nigeria.
  7. Independent Albums . Billboard . 24 June 2022 . 2 January 2013.