By Jon Muñoz
The Californian creative superstar Tyler, The Creator releases his eighth studio album alongside a cast of notable features such as Childish Gambino, ScHoolboy Q, and Doechii.
Tyler, The Creator has gone through one of the most impressive and tumultuous phases in a musician’s career. Originally founding Odd Future with the help of Casey Veggies, Hodgy, Left Brain, and the Super 3, Tyler would form the hip-hop group that would influence pop culture forever. The group would also have known artists such as Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, and Domo Genesis. What ultimately made Odd Future innovative was its way of using the internet at the time.
“Their use of the internet to achieve virtual exposure and generate loyalty via transparency was the first of its kind to successfully scale barriers to mainstream fame. Years before social media apps like Instagram or Snapchat allowed people to feel like they had access to the behind-the-scenes happenings of their favorite artists, Odd Future let fans peer into their lives,” said Pitchfork writer Briana Younger.
It was one of the first hip-hop groups to feel relatable and loose in its messaging without caring much about what they had to say and expressing themselves however they saw fit. As expected with this type of behavior, it eventually led to some raunchy and explicit material making the group — and especially Tyler — one of the most controversial acts of the genre. Tyler would release a string of controversial projects, such as Bastard, Goblin, Wolf, and Cherry Bomb that would ultimately be heavily criticized by critics. Popular music critic Anthony Fantano would be one of the more negative reviewers to give Cherry Bomb a harsh 3/10 rating.
“There are moments on this LP that make for some of the most refined instrumentals that Tyler has ever been on and then conversely just because of the bad mixing and the bad production there are some instrumentals here that are some of the worst that have ever been on a Tyler, The Creator album,” said the critic in a video review.
Despite a fair share of criticism, many fans seemed to still adore Tyler’s signature style despite its descent into more messy territory. However, Tyler decided to take a step forward and leave the edgy persona and transition to a more relaxed and mature individual with Flower Boy, which tackles themes such as his sexuality, identity, and personal life. The album would receive praise from both fans and critics alike and would motivate Tyler to keep on the mature development.
He would follow it up with the highly praised and instant certified classic IGOR, which would feature hits such as “EARFQUAKE,” “NEW MAGIC WAND,” and “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?” and would later win him his first Grammy. Taking a break from the conceptual elements of his previous material, he would follow up his magnum opus with the looser and hip-hop-inspired “Call Me If You Get Lost,” which would also seek high praise and win him his second Grammy.
Tyler now returns with his eighth studio album, CHROMAKOPIA. The album would first be teased with the track “St. Chroma” featuring Daniel Caesar, which would show the explosive and melodic nature that the album would offer. In addition, the lead single, “Noid,” is an explosive track that examines the constant paranoia Tyler faces as he grows in popularity. The album makes a formal return to the conceptual approach that Tyler would usually have with his projects.
“The colour of ‘Chromakopia’ resides in the album’s grooves, layered production and immersive penmanship,” said Niall Smith from Clash.
The narrative follows a fictional and metaphorical depiction of Tyler in which he feels the pressure of his bad personal decisions and how it eventually catches up with him. Tracks such as “Darling, I” featuring Teezo Touchdown and “Hey Jane,” despite having smoother and lighthearted production, have some of the more serious writing in the album. The tracks follow a confused and irrational Tyler who cannot stay committed to one partner and accidentally impregnates one of his fellow mistresses. The story eventually progresses and sees Tyler seeking retribution and admitting the guilt and shame he might have caused the individual.
The album shows a more stylized and grown-up version of Tyler. His word choice and structure reflect more of his maturity and age. Instead of the Tyler who is always funny and erratic, we get a more composed and serious Tyler who knows the consequences of his actions. Despite the seriousness, Tyler still leaves room for more playful banter on colorful tracks such as “Thought I Was Dead” featuring ScHoolboy Q and the posse cut “Sticky” featuring Sexyy Red, GloRilla, and Lil Wayne, which are exciting bangers.
You can now listen to CHROMAKOPIA on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.