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. It marks Tems first solo release since her debut studio album Born in the Wild (2024). The EP was produced by Tems, GuiltyBeatz, AoD, Jonah Christian, Rob Bisel, London and V-Ron.
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).
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.
Critical reception
Love Is a Kingdom received generally positive reviews across major publications.
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". 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".
Accolades Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) ResultsRef2026The HeadiesBest R&B Album
Track listing All tracks are written by Temilade Openiyi, except where noted.
Charts + Chart performance for Love Is a Kingdom Chart (2025–2026) Peakposition Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA) 20 Nigerian Albums (TurnTable) 30 Portuguese Albums (AFP) 108
References