Tyler, The Creator: CHROMAK0PIA
I’ve never listened to a Tyler the Creator album - please do not come for me, everything has it’s time. CHROMAKOPIA was on my radar and I was intrigued by the PR roll out of it due to the imagery, also my best friend said it was worth a listen and I’ll always listen to my girl.
I had no expectations and no idea in regards to how this was going to sound, but from what I know of Tyler, the production was going to be insane - I wasn’t wrong.
We start off with a great affirmation and if you know me, you’ll know I’m a sucker for this type of stuff in on album. “You are the light. It’s not on you, it’s in you”. We also get Daniel Caesar on the feature, which adds that church/soul feel and then we get a little switch - more bass but still with the delicacy of a piano melody.
These type of musical switches continue on throughout this album and it’s so strong. The production on this is superior. A lot of the breakdowns remind me of N.E.R.D and if you know me, you know that I’m a sucker for that group and have been since I was itty bitty. To hear the clear influence was so refreshing and something that we need more of within the music industry instead of everyone sounding the same. Songs like Noid, Judge Judy, I killed you will give you these vibes.
Tyler is in his own lane and doesn’t shy away from this at all - I truly love when an artist is like “yeah I’m the greatest and I know and I’m going to make sure you know that I know”. Especially as a rap artist, I think this is such an important quality to have when entering the rap game. The cockiness is necessary, as it allows them to experiment and push boundaries that make you stop and go “right, my ears and my soul are AWAKE”.
Another point to make is that I’m a sucker for live instrumentation! Being someone who can play an instrument, it truly excites me. Nothing will ever beat the sound of crispy notes being played or hearing that snare or 808 crystal clear. NOTHING BEATS THAT SH*T.
Hey Jane was such a great way for Tyler to express vunerabilty and duality - his storytelling is amazing on this. A simple beat so you can focus on the heaviness of the situation. He truly captures the woman’s side in a such a great way and the feelings expressed are true, honest and respectful on both sides. I love this song so much, (maybe not something I'll be blasting every time like I’m in the clurb, but has been put in my music vault as a great song). It’s a song for the girls and speaking of songs for the girls, we need to talk about Sticky! Sorry, we have GloRilla and Sexyy Red together (honourable mention to Lil Wayne). The line that stood out for me and it needs it’s own sentence,
“Nigga, give a fuck 'bout pronouns, I'm that nigga and that bitch” - YES! That’s it.
Again, we get that slight switch in the music towards the end which is welcomed and adds such nice texture, especially with Solange’s lil vocals (we hear you babe).
One thing I’ll touch on again - I love the way Tyler expresses his duality through his art. With the hard hitting bass lines, to the use of his voice (one minute we get a laid back flow, then we get the deep/aggressive flow), adding various vocalists to soften certain parts which make you focus more. The use of certain instruments, such as the simple piano/keyboard, certain chords played and even the use of brass instruments to bring that bluesy vibe. It’s just so well put together.
ScHoolboy Q is one of my faves - I luh that man. The way he just comes in so smooth and on that laid back/hype LA vibe - ugh yeah. If that’s your vibe, then you’ll love Thought I was Dead.
This album really explores the complexities of adulthood that I think a lot of us are feeling in our own ways or similar. Materialism/consumerism, fears of being a parent, find ourselves even at the ages we are and accepting that we aren’t fully formed and that’s okay. Tyler also shares his mother’s advice and deep conversation to narrate through the album, which is such a great way to share his upbringing and also the burdens that may have been put on him, and what his mother was facing. Again, conversations that need to be had, especially within the black community as we tend to sweep things under the rug and now what are we left with? Loads of dust that needed to be thrown away years ago.
Usually Tyler has gives more of a characters to his albums and while we have a slight image shift for Chromakopia, he has peeled the layers back and given us him in this album. I may not have listened to his previous albums, but I have heard bits and pieces and from what I can see, it feels like he’s given his us more here. He’s shining the light on himself and ending with I Hope You Find Your Way Home is a lovely way to wrap it up.
Rating: 4.5/5
Top Songs:
St. Chroma ft Daniel Casear
Rah Tah Tah
Noid
Hey Jane
Sticky
Thought I was Dead
I Hope You Find Your Way Home