Tyler, The Creator’s latest album, “Chromakopia,” which was released October 28 is a vibrant exploration of sound and emotion. “Chromakopia” is Tyler, The Creator’s eighth studio album which dives into vulnerability, relationships and mixed feelings on parenthood. Throughout this album we are exposed to Tyler, The Creator’s fears and emotions. The album contains many different genres like hip-hop, rap, and jazz blending together, creating a unique and immersive listening experience.
Tyler’s use of lyrics and delivery combine to convey a feeling of vulnerability and deception especially on the track “Like Him.” The track “Like Him” is about Tyler, The Creator finding out his own mother deprived him of the ability to have a relationship with his father. The song opens with Tyler, The Creator’s mother stating that Tyler has many features and attributes like his father then cuts to Tyler’s verse. The way Tyler, The Creator uses a high-pitched voice in the beginning of the song is almost like he’s regressing back to his younger self and reminiscing about his childhood and how he lacked a father figure. Towards the end of “Like Him” Tyler’s voice begins to revert to his usual singing voice and his tone sounds hurt and betrayed. While listening to the song you feel sorrow especially at the ending of the song where Tyler’s mother says, “It was my fault, not yours, not his, it was my fault,/ I’m sorry/ You know/It was my fault/Not him, ‘cause he always wanted to be there for you.” The addition of Tyler’s own mother coming in at the end of the song is almost cathartic, because she is using this last verse to really apologize to her son and make sure that he doesn’t blame himself.
“Chromakopia” is riddled with many different references to Tyler, The Creator’s past experiences and lives. Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, also known as Odd Future was a music group that Tyler, The Creator was a part of which he references on tracks like “Rah Tah Tah” and “Thought I Was Dead.” On the song “Rah Tah Tah” the song’s end looks back on his time in OFWGKTA, especially growing up with his friend L-Boy. Similarly in the song “Thought I Was Dead” Tyler, The Creator references “Loiter Squad” which was a sketch comedy show on Adult Swim fearing himself and other members of Odd Future. In the lyrics Tyler says, “Same boys with me since back-back then,” Tyler is reflecting on all the relationships he’s maintained with the Odd Future crew. Over the years, Tyler has worked alongside with his long-time collaborators like Jasper Dolphin, L-boy, Travis “Taco” Bennett, and Earl Sweatshirt. Recently Earl Sweatshirt actually performed with Tyler, The Creator at 2024 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.
Overall Tyler, The Creator’s album “Chromakopia” is raw and vulnerable and showcases his growth as an artist. Each track on the album was purposefully crafted to illustrate a certain point in his life. The lyrics of each individual song offer an unfiltered look into Tyler’s world. On the other hand some of the tracks on the album had too many complex loud beats that sort of overpowered the lyrics of the song. Additionally the album should have been more organized so that it could paint the picture of Tyler, The Creator’s growth. Overall the album is one of Tyler’s best albums.
