CHROMAKOPIA: ALBUM REVIEW

Tyler sticks to the realm of previous albums like “Igor” and Call Me with heavily layered synths, bombastic trumpets, and piano ballads, but brings such enthusiastic variety with each song that it’s hard to not allow earworms to etch into you.

Riding on the success of his album “Call Me If You Get Lost” from 2021, and running a victory lap after an extended version was released in 2023, Tyler The Creator has yet again dropped a surprise album – a 14-track work called “Chromakopia.”

While “Call Me” was full of braggadocious bars and hard-hitting anthems that celebrated the success and riches he’s accomplished, Chromakopia does a complete 180. Tyler paints vivid pictures of the darker qualities of his success and fame, while giving introspective stories that relate to his hardships.

Starting with the lead single “Noid,” Tyler professes his fears of being so successful. Dealing with para-social fans berating him constantly, stressing whether his relationships are only there for status and wealth, fearing accidental pregnancies, and dealing with the paranoia that he is always being watched, he wishes for a life of reclusion and peace.

The fear of an unplanned pregnancy comes to fruition when the song “Hey Jane” displays two narratives, both from the perspective of Tyler and the woman he had relations with. He raps that even though he doesn’t know the woman too well, he wants to be there for her and support her when she deals with bearing their child. However, the woman expresses her need for peace and independence and wants to secretly carry the child alone. She exclaims this situation has happened to many women, such as the mothers of both her and of Tyler, who cared for their children alone when they were young.

Another notable and tear-jerking song is the ballad “Like Him,” where Tyler sings about the fears of growing up and becoming just like his estranged father, whom he never met. He was always told by his mother while growing up that he looked and acted like his father, and felt that he was “chasing a ghost” all his life. He felt much resentment towards his father for leaving, such as in the track “Answer” from his album “Wolf,” where he spews words of hatred and pain, but in the end, only wants one conversation with him.

It’s not until the end of “Like Him” that we learn more about the truth about Tyler’s father, from his mother. She talks about how he wanted to be there and really loves Tyler, but explains she was young and stupid and broke their relationship off quickly.

While providing such beautiful and emotional lyrics, the artist has also crafted lighter-toned tracks that highlight the beauties of people. In “I Killed You,” he uplifts Black people and encourages them to find love in their skin and hair, and to never hold themselves up to someone else’s White-washed standards. In the track “Balloon,” featuring Doechii, both celebrate their bisexuality and empower each other for who they are.

Finally “Take Your Mask Off’ teaches us to live out our true lives through sharing stories of people, including himself, whose masks and false presentations hinder their freedoms and fulfillment.

While offering great storytelling and messaging, Chromakopia sonically provides killer production and diverse musical tracks, too. Tyler sticks to the realm of previous albums like “Igor” and Call Me with heavily layered synths, bombastic trumpets, and piano ballads, but brings such enthusiastic variety with each song that it’s hard to not allow earworms to etch into you.

On “Thought I was Dead,” heavy tubas pop in the track with blaring trumpets and heavy bass, along with notes of cowbell and chants, creating such a remarkably pompous track. In “St. Chroma,” tensions rise with marching feet, low supporting synths, and whispered bars from Tyler until Daniel Caesar comes in, piercing the song with a beautiful gospel chorus that then explodes into a fury of screams bass and rising synths.

Overall, the new album is a masterful piece that promotes so many confessions and deep feelings from Tyler’s mind. I wish he was able to evolve his sound a bit more to differentiate the album from his previous works, but what he brings to the table is so enjoyable to the ears.

My overall rating of this album would be an 8/10 – a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a more alternative sound of rap music and also heartfelt storytelling.

Cortlan Souders