BY ATTICUS STRALEY
This year has been full of new high-profile music, and Tyler the Creator’s latest album “CHROMAKOPIA” is no exception. The album, only being announced and released a handful of weeks ago, has already exploded on the music charts. “CHROMAKOPIA” serves as Tyler’s eighth studio album, as he continues the pattern of releasing new music every few years, arguably being one of the most consistent modern artists around. With all of the buzz and chatter around the new project, people are naturally going to compare it to his other work. So the question is, how good is it?
Off the bat, this is Tyler’s most vulnerable and personal album yet, going in depth into many sensitive topics. On “Like Him” he tells the story of dealing with the emotions of growing up without a father and then finding the truth later on, while the song “Judge Judy” tragically narrates losing a partner to cancer, highlighting the sadness and freedom that is connected. In addition, the track “Tomorrow” shows the personal life gap between Tyler’s peers, watching everyone getting married and starting families, while he is left behind with only money. Nearly every track has this depth to it, and whether he talks about his own life or not, Tyler clearly relates to them in some shape or form. All of these tracks allow this album to emotionally resonate deeply with people, feasibly more than his previous work.
Production-wise, this is right up there with his best, with this being his most versatile album yet, incorporating rap, jazz, R&B, and more. “CHROMAKOPIA” is packed with numerous small intricate sounds that tie it together, accentuating and elevating each song to a new level. For example, the song “Sticky” inspired by HBCU bands, uses unique bells, whistles, and even a “clucking” sound to create this intense lunch table freestyle vibe, with the help of short, but electric verses. Additionally, the synth and piano on “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” just lifts your headphones right off your head. This production quality is consistent from start to end on the album. And of course, Tyler kills it when rapping. After the intro song, the album jumps into “Rah Tah Tah”, where Tyler delivers his signature aggressive rap style he blew up for. However, his best rap delivery is probably on the third verse of “Thought I Was Dead”, where he addresses the relevant “culture vultures” in the industry. His pronunciation and vocal tone are intensely animated, and it’s simply prime Tyler rapping. If you forgot he can do that too, this album certainly reminds you.
Tyler is always pushing boundaries, and this is clearly seen in “CHROMAKOPIA”. From sampling the 1970s Zambian band Ngozi Family’s song “Nizakupanga Ngzo” on “Noid”, to using unexpected features such as Sexyy Red and GloRilla on “Sticky”, his project prompts listeners to reconsider their ideas on what works together. This progress is essential to the evolution of music. From what people have noticed on the album, even if something sounds unfamiliar or off at first, repeated listens cause it to seriously grow on them.
uUnfortunately, the main critique I have personally heard is that some songs are “boring”. However, I would say that those people did not actively listen to the lyrics and simply want another “hit song”, when Tyler clearly has deeper intentions. I went into my first listen with a completely open mind, and no expectations, and took the time to listen repeatedly over the past weeks. Because of how lyrically vulnerable Tyler gets, along with the remarkable level of production and rapping, in my opinion, this is Tyler’s best project yet. There really is something for every type of Tyler fan to enjoy on this album. But of course, don’t just take my word for it, as “CHROMAKOPIA” is one hundred percent worth a listen. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with my assessment, this album will only get better with time and will certainly be a staple for years to come.