Teyana Taylor – Escape Room (Album Review)

Teyana Taylor’s ‘Escape Room‘ is more than a comeback—it’s a statement of healing, fire, and resilience.

STREAM

TOP 5 SONGS

5. Pum Pum Jump (Ft. Tyla & Jill Scott)

“Pum Pum Jump” is pure allure

A standout contrast to the album’s heartbreak-heavy themes, this track shifts the focus from endings to new beginnings—stepping into an entanglement with someone fresh. It radiates big, sexy energy, with Jill Scott and Tyla’s features only amplifying the allure.

Slow, soulful, and jazzy, Pum Pum Jump balances vulnerability with heat and intention, making it one of the most intoxicating moments on Escape Room.

4. Hard Part (Ft. Lucky Daye)

“The Breakup” reframes heartbreak as liberation.

Most people say breaking up is the hard part, but this track flips that perspective. For Teyana, the real struggle was being in the relationship—the endless fighting, the lack of care, the selfishness, the bitterness, the ups and downs. Now that it’s over, life feels lighter. The breakup isn’t the wound—it’s the healing.

3. Bed of Roses

“Bed of Roses” takes ‘Escape Room‘ in a softer, more intimate direction.

While the other pre-album single leaned into breakup territory, this one is all about closeness and desire. It’s sensual and romantic, layered with innuendo yet never crossing into raunchy.

As the track progresses, the lyrics evolve from playful flirtation to full-force passion, striking that classy yet steamy balance that Teyana pulls off so effortlessly.

2. Long Time

No cap, Teyana’s voice gives me chills every single time. Most R&B fans rave over high notes and vocal runs, but her lower register? Straight butter. This track shows that off beautifully.

“Long Time” is the ultimate bad-bitch breakup anthem. The relationship may have ended recently, but emotionally, Teyana had checked out long before. It’s fiery and unapologetic—not weighed down by sadness, but instead powerful and liberating.

1. Fire Girl

**“Fire Girl” wastes no time setting the tone for ‘Escape Room.**‘

From the jump, the track comes in at 100%—packed with heat, aggression, and empowerment, raw yet undeniably positive.

At its core, it’s a song about mistreatment—about loved ones thinking they can walk all over you or treat you as less than your worth. Teyana’s not having it.

Instead, she turns that fury into fire. The track becomes a declaration of self-worth, a vow to stop settling for less, and a reminder to give yourself the love and respect you deserve.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Taraji P. Henson’s Narration (N/A)

2. Fire Girl (4.5/5)

3. Sarah Paulson’s Narration (N/A)

4. Long Time (4/5)

5. LaLa’s Narration (N/A)

6. Niecy Nash’s Narration (N/A)

7. Hard Part (4/5)

8. Back To Life (3.5/5)

9. Jodie Turner Smith’s Narration

10. All Of Your Heart (4/5)

11. Shut Up (3.5/5)

12. Pum Pum Jump (4/5)

13. Open Invite (4/5)

14. Issa Rae’s Narration Pt. 1 (N/A)

15. In Your Head (3.5/5)

16. Final Destination (4/5)

17. Issa Rae’s Narration Pt. 2 (N/A)

18. Bed of Roses (4/5)

19. Kerry Washington’s Narration (N/A)

20. In Your Skin (4/5)

21. Regina King’s Narration (N/A)

22. Always (4/5)

RGM RATING

(78%)

Teyana Taylor truly pulled out all the stops with Escape Room. Her comeback album is drenched in themes of heartbreak, rage, and regret, but equally rooted in empowerment, self-worth, and resilience. With powerhouse narrations from Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash, and Regina King—alongside contributions from Kaytranada, Tyla, and Lucky Daye—the project is just as star-studded as it is soulful.

From start to finish, Escape Room demands your attention. Every track feels intentional, pulling you deeper into Teyana’s world of vulnerability and strength. As someone who’s endured her share of complicated relationships, this album feels necessary—healing, affirming, and energizing all at once.

Trust me: this isn’t just an album you listen to once. It’s one you sit with, reflect on, and return to again and again.