For Broken Ears
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = For Broken Ears
| type = EP
| artist = Tems
| cover = Damages album art.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2020|9|25|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| length = 20:41
| label = Leading Vibes
| producer = * Tems
- Spax
- Omeiza
- Tejiri Akpoghene
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = If Orange Was a Place
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{Singles
| name = For Broken Ears
| type = EP
| single1 = Damages
| single1date = 18 September 2020
| single2 = Free Mind
| single2date = 9 August 2022
}}
}}
For Broken Ears {{Cite web |last=Olajide A |first=Emmanuel |date=2020-09-25 |title=For Broken Ears Full EP Mp3 downloads & Lyrics |url=https://ascenttunes.com/song/for-broken-ears-ep/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Ascenttunes}} is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-25|title=A 1-Listen Review of Tems' 'For Broken Ears'|url=https://thenativemag.com/1-listen-review-tems-broken-ears/|access-date=2021-09-12|website=The Native}} 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.{{Cite web|title=For Broken Ears EP {{!}} Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tems-for-broken-ears-ep/amp/|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Pitchfork}} 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.{{Cite web |title=@temsbaby "Free Mind" debut on the Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1551658192156987393 |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=Twitter |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Esomnofu|first=Emmanuel|title="For Broken Ears": Does Tems Deliver On Her Debut Project? {{!}} Notjustok|date=29 September 2020 |url=https://notjustok.com/article/album-review/for-broken-ears-does-tems-deliver-on-her-debut-project/|access-date=2021-09-12}}
The lead single "Damages" was released on 18 September 2020, while the EP was released through Leading Vibes on 22 September 2020.{{Cite web|title=Listen to Nigerian artist Tems' debut EP For Broken Ears|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/09/25/tems-debut-ep-for-broken-ears|access-date=2021-09-12|website=The Fader}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = Pitchfork
| rev2 = Pulse Nigeria
}}
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.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title=Tems - For Broken Ears [EP Review]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/tems-for-broken-ears-ep-review/yw7eqz8|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Pulse Nigeria}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = For Broken Ears track listing{{Cite web|title=For Broken Ears- EP|url=https://music.apple.com/ng/album/for-broken-ears/1532252592/|accessdate=2021-09-11|via=Apple Music}}
| total_length = 20:41
| all_writing = Temilade Openiyi
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Interference
| length1 = 2:55
| extra1 = Tems
| title2 = Ice T
| length2 = 4:07
| extra2 = Tems
| title3 = Free Mind
| length3 = 4:07
| extra3 = {{hlist|Tems|Omeiza}}
| title4 = Témìládè Interlude
| length4 = 0:41
| extra4 = Tems
| title5 = Higher
| length5 = 3:16
| extra5 = {{hlist|Tems|Tejiri Akpoghene}}
| title6 = Damages
| length6 = 2:49
| extra6 = Spax
| title7 = The Key
| length7 = 2:46
| extra7 = {{hlist|Tems|Omeiza}}
}}
Charts
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Chart performance for "For Broken Ears" ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|28|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"|Chart (2024)
!scope="col"|Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable){{Cite web |title=TurnTable Charts {{!}} Official Top 100 Albums {{!}} October 11th, 2024 - October 17th, 2024 |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241027183317/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2 |archive-date=October 27, 2024 |access-date=October 27, 2024 |website=TurnTable}}
| 99 |