Love Is a Kingdom

Love Is a Kingdom
EP by
Tems
Released21 November 2025 (2025-11-21)
GenresAlternative R&B, Afrobeats
Length19:58
Labels
Producers
  • Tems
  • AoD
  • Guiltybeatz
  • Jonah Christian
  • Rob Bisel
  • London
  • V-Ron
Tems chronology
Born in the Wild
(2024)		 Love Is a Kingdom
(2025)
Singles from Love Is a Kingdom
  1. "What You Need"
    Released: 21 November 2025

Love Is a Kingdom is the third extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems. It was surprise-released on 21 November 2025 by RCA Records and Since '93.[1][2] It marks Tems first solo release since her debut studio album Born in the Wild (2024).[3] The EP was produced by Tems, GuiltyBeatz, AoD, Jonah Christian, Rob Bisel, London and V-Ron.[1][4]

Background and release

Following the release of her EPs For Broken Ears (2020) and If Orange Was a Place (2021), Tems released her debut album Born in the Wild (2024).[1][5]

In 2025, she teased that her second album will be released in 2026 at her concert. In November, Tems announced a surprise listening party inviting fans to sign up for the events which took place in Los Angeles. The seven-track EP was surprise-released the next morning without any prior announcement.[1][3][6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
African Folder8.8/10[7]
NMEStarStarStarStar[8]
Pitchfork7.6/10[9]
Premium Times8/10[10]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[11]

Love Is a Kingdom received generally positive reviews across major publications.[12][13]

Kyann-Sian Williams of NME praised both the production and the singers vocal ability, writing that "the EP is a masterclass in recalibration: less about applause, more about intention, clarity, and grounding, and a reminder that the most potent love is the one you cultivate first for yourself".[8] Boutayna Chokrane of Pitchfork wrote that compared to the previous album, Born in the Wild, in Love Is a Kingdom Tems "pares everything back", describing it "liturgical" where "songs move like mood swings in slow motion, dwelling on a fragment of time before shifting".[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Temilade Openiyi, except where noted.

Love Is a Kingdom track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."First" 
  • Tems
  • GuiltyBeatz
2:56
2."I'm Not Sure" 
  • Tems
  • Jonah Christian
  • Rob Bisel
2:17
3."Big Daddy" 
  • Tems
  • GuiltyBeatz
  • AoD
2:46
4."Lagos Love"
  • Temilade Openiyi
  • Micheal Hunter
  • Alastair O’Donell
  • London
  • AoD
3:10
5."Mine" 
  • Tems
  • GuiltyBeatz
2:40
6."What You Need" 
  • Tems
  • GuiltyBeatz
3:52
7."Is There a Reason" 
  • Tems
  • V-Ron
2:12
Total length:19:58

Charts

Chart performance for Love Is a Kingdom
Chart (2025–2026) Peak
position
Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA)[14] 20
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable) 30
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[15] 108
UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[16]83
US World Albums (Billboard)[17]2

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Strauss, Matthew (21 November 2025). "Tems Surprise-Releases New EP Love Is a Kingdom". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  2. ↑ Williams, Kyann-Sian (26 November 2025). "Tems – 'Love Is A Kingdom' EP review: exploring love in all its forms". NME. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 C.J., Nelson (21 November 2025). "Tems Revels in Her Independent Streak". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "Tems presents surprise EP, Love Is a Kingdom". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  5. ↑ King, Tyrese (24 November 2025). "Tems Releases Surprise EP 'Love Is a Kingdom'". newwavemagazine. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  6. ↑ Hussain, Shahzaib (21 November 2025). "Tems Surprise Releases New EP 'Love Is A Kingdom'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "Tems – Love Is A Kingdom Album Review: A Queen In Her Own Kingdom". African Folder. 27 November 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Tems – 'Love Is A Kingdom' EP review: exploring love in all its forms". NME. 26 November 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Love Is a Kingdom by Tems Review". Pitchfork. 10 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Music Review: Tems doesn't need noise to reign, 'Love Is a Kingdom' makes it clear". Premium Times. 23 November 2026.
  11. ↑ "Tems Revels in Her Independent Streak". Rolling Stone. 21 November 2025.
  12. ↑ Spencer, Tallie (21 November 2025). "Love Is A Kingdom – EP by Tems". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (21 November 2025). "Tems Navigates Love and Self-Truth on Her New EP, 'Love Is a Kingdom'". Okayafrica. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  15. ↑ "Top 200 Álbuns Semana 48 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 2. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 5/12/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "Tems Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
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