If Orange Was a Place
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = If Orange Was a Place
| type = EP
| artist = Tems
| cover = If_Orange_Was_a_Place_album.webp
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2021|9|15|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length =18:13
| label = * Since '93
| producer = * GuiltyBeatz
- Jonah Christian
| prev_title = For Broken Ears
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Born in the Wild
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{Singles
| name = If Orange Was a Place
| type = EP
| single1 = Crazy Tings
| single1date = 15 September 2021
}}
}}
If Orange Was a Place is the second (and first major label) extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems.{{Cite web|title=Tems shares new EP If Orange Was A Place|url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/09/16/tems-new-ep-if-orange-was-a-place|access-date=2021-09-26|website=The Fader}}{{Cite web|title=Tems: If Orange Was a Place EP|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tems-if-orange-was-a-place-ep/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Pitchfork}} It was produced primarily by GuiltyBeatz, along with production from Jonah Christian, and was released on 15 September 2021 by Since '93 and RCA.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-15|title=Tems release new Ep titled - If Orange Was A Place|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/streamdownload-tems-if-orange-was-a-place/jf7zz57|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Pulse Nigeria}} It features a single guest appearance from American singer Brent Faiyaz.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-15|title=Listen to Tems' New EP 'If Orange Was A Place'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/tems-new-ep-orange-place/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=OkayAfrica}}
Background and release
On 6 September 2021, Tems announced via her Twitter handle that her second EP was set to be released the next week.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Tems releases tracklist for 'If Orange Was A Place'|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/tems-releases-tracklist-for-if-orange-was-a-place/ebcf8jc|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Pulse Nigeria}} A week later Tems released the track listing, accompanied by a trailer for the EP revealing Brent Faiyaz as the only guest artist and Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz as the EP's primary producer, with additional production from Jonah Christian.
If Orange Was a Place was released on 15 September 2021 by RCA/Since '93, revealing that Tems had signed a recording deal with the label.{{Cite web|title=Tems grabs RCA Records deal - P.M. News|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/09/16/tems-grabs-rca-records-deal/|access-date=2021-09-26}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = Pitchfork
| rev2 = Rolling Stone
}}
The EP reviewed positive reviews from critics. A review from Pitchfork stated that "If Orange Was a Place takes on a different texture and mood. If there's any element still resonant, it's Tems' unrestricted expression." Rolling Stone praised the EP while also stating that it "broadens Tems' budding discography across moods and tempos, uniting all her strengths in a multi-faceted display of self-actualization".{{Cite magazine|date=2021-09-20|title=Tems Sings Circles Around Her Struggles on 'If Orange Was a Place'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/tems-if-orange-was-a-place-1229515/|access-date=2021-09-26|magazine=Rolling Stone}} A mixed review from Pulse Nigeria wrote that "this isn't music to be judged harshly - if it can be judged at all. It's just music to be enjoyed and understood."{{Cite web|date=2021-09-15|title=REVIEW: Tems - If Orange Was A Place EP|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-tems-if-orange-was-a-place-ep/xkrhl6s|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Pulse Nigeria}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Awards and nominations for If Orange Was a Place ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Organization ! scope="col" |Award ! scope="col" |Result |
| rowspan="1" |2022
|{{won}} |
| 2022
|Rest of Africa |{{won}} |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = If Orange Was a Place track listing
| all_writing = Temilade Openiyi, except where noted
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 18:13
| title1 = Crazy Tings
| extra1 = GuiltyBeatz
| length1 = 3:02
| title2 = Found
| note2 = featuring Brent Faiyaz
| writer2 = {{hlist|Temilade Openiyi|Christopher Brent Wood}}
| extra2 = GuiltyBeatz
| length2 = 3:29
| title3 = Replay
| extra3 = Jonah Christian
| length3 = 3:00
| title4 = Avoid Things
| extra4 = GuiltyBeatz
| length4 = 3:44
| title5 = Vibe Out
| extra5 = GuiltyBeatz
| length5 = 4:57
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for If Orange Was a Place ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|9|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardWorld|7|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |