On Oct. 28, Tyler, the Creator released the highly anticipated album “CHROMAKOPIA.” Tyler is known for experimenting with different sounds and concepts; this album is no exception. If you haven’t listened to this album already, I highly recommend listening to it on your own as it’s an amazing experience.
In the opening song “St. Chroma,” listeners are introduced to Tyler’s new persona, who the song is named after. It’s seemingly based on Chroma the Great, a character from the book “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster, who conducts an orchestra every day to provide colors for the world. Contrasting with the idea of bringing color into the world, the music videos for this album are all filmed in black and white. In “St. Chroma” Tyler seems to look more like a dictator, marching people to their deaths. Daniel Caesar’s ethereal vocals give the song a more inspiring tone, giving the album a captivating start.
“Darling, I” takes a completely different turn, being a more upbeat R&B song that introduces one of the album’s main themes: relationships. While people may be inclined to think that this is a romantic song dedicated to love, Tyler instead raps about how he constantly falls in love with new people, before eventually leaving them all behind for his Grammys and music career.
One of the most stand-out tracks in this album is “Sticky.” The drum line stomps, blaring horns, and the insane features make the song highly energetic and fun. The features come as a surprise to many listeners as Tyler previously said he would have none, but GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne all contributed a verse in this song. “Sticky” is chaotic in the best way possible, making this song very popular.
“Like Him” is another large stand-out, but not for the same reasons as “Sticky.” In this track, Tyler contemplates his relationship with his absent father, who until this song, he insulted at every chance. The instrumental is beautiful, showing his emotional turmoil. At the very end of the song, Tyler’s mom reveals that his dad had always wanted to be there for him, and she was the one keeping Tyler away from him.
After listeners were sent reeling from “Like Him” and the implications of what his mom revealed, many were given complete whiplash when listening to “Balloon.” The upbeat, goofy instrumental transports the audience away from Tyler’s trauma into a bright and exciting track. The lyrics are playful, and Doechii matches Tyler’s energy as she says the most out-of-pocket things with her signature aggressive delivery.
Closing off the album is “I Hope You Find Your Home,” which shifts back into a more contemplative and pensive tone. Tyler raps about his personal life and wraps up the track with motivational words from his mother. The song reaches out to viewers with a more hopeful tone in which Tyler wants his listeners can find where they belong and who they are, as he hopes to do as well.
Overall, “CHROMAKOPIA” is a great addition to Tyler’s discography and gives fans more insight into the personal details of his life. Tyler takes a strong step forward with this album, evolving his music from past albums “Igor” and “Call Me If You Get Lost.” The album is sincere and honest, transporting listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions while still being an exciting listening experience.
