Tana just dropped his first album in nearly two years titled ME, and he made sure to make it clear that he’s here to stay. After dealing with label issues over the past couple of years, Tana has now stepped into a new era as an independent artist, and ME feels like a statement that he isn’t going anywhere.
There were also a lot of rumors circulating that he might be joining Playboi Carti’s YVL label after being seen around Carti, posting pictures in YVL merch, and even including what fans noticed as a Playboi Carti reference on the album cover. Whether that ends up meaning anything or not, the conversation around Tana has only made this rollout feel bigger.
Despite all the outside noise, the music on ME is actually good, and it feels refreshing compared to a lot of what’s coming out of Atlanta and the underground scene right now. The album isn’t trying to be overly experimental or complex, It’s a straightforward project filled with feel-good songs. The best way to describe ME is that it’s a vibe, especially for the summer. Some of the standout records on the project include “i like her,” “insane (for your love),” and “Everything Will Be Fine.”
Tana also announced that ME is the first installment in a trilogy of albums, making it clear that he plans to drop more consistently now that he’s independent. He also used this project to highlight his identity as a young Black independent artist, with references to African modernism and his heritage throughout the album’s visual direction. This album definitely feels like a new chapter for Tana, and it’s exciting to see where he’ll take his career in the future.
By Ed Roobi