Tyler, The Creator Releases New Album, Set To Fill Hearts With Reality And Heads With Joyous Unease

Established global sensation Tyler, The Creator has a vast range of talents and expertise, spanning from the music to the fashion business, but his latest creation concerns itself with the former. 

Recently releasing this new album entitled ‘Chromakopia’, Tyler, The Creator further establishes himself firmly as one of the most lyrically gifted artists of our generation; the storylines he creates and weaves through his albums are extraordinary. 

Throughout his career, the artist has taken on many personas and embodied multiple musical narratives; it feels as though this album really takes into account his personal growth and development. Everybody finds maturity at different stages in life but Tyler, The Creator seems to perfectly capture the way this has moulded him. It gives his listeners a chance to see yet another side to this continuously growing character, all whilst creating beats to dance to and lyrics to appreciate on more complex levels. 

His opening track 'St Chroma' begins with this direct, hard-hitting female speech dedicating itself to self-appreciation and self-belief- “You are the light/ It’s not on you, it’s in you”. Following this, we get a sense of chanting and marching in the repeated titular lyrics “Chromakopia” accompanied by audible stomping, which almost seems as though a hoard of people is fast approaching. It seems intimidating, it seems like a very on-edge opening to an album, but this is the sort of thing fans love about Tyler, The Creator. He has a unique ability to take a simple action like marching and transform it to express not only a sense of unease in a life mitigated by the public eye but also in a life where one holds oneself accountable for the downfalls of those around them. This light inside is an image carried through the song; his creativity and talents are this ‘light’ that allows him to live the life he leads, which primarily seems to be his escape plan, but transforms into the one in which he finds great scepticism. 

As the album continues, this sense of unease seeps into the third track aptly titled 'Noid'. It revolves around the concept of paranoia, particularly in a world where fame and public attention lie at the centre, subsequently giving listeners a distinctive view of the artist’s life and psyche. The fairly melancholic lyrics “Ain’t no respect for nothin’/ Voice recordin’ our discussions” seem entirely concerned with the negative effects of finding fame as Tyler, the Creator did, whilst almost confronting his audience. He seems angry with a lot of the world in these selfish aspects and is consequently very raw and direct with his fans about this issue of privacy- perhaps a new angle for the music world but one that seems to be very respected and appreciated since the album’s release. 

Interestingly, as we approach the middle of the album on track number nine, the lyrics seem to allude to the importance of this openness previously demonstrated. The whole message of the song is an encouragement to find oneself and be true to the person lying at the heart of all of us, even if ignorance is hiding it with all of its might. The choral lyrics read “I hope you find yourself/ I hope you take your mask off”, potentially a message to a younger version of the artist in acknowledging his own growth since the beginning of his music career. He continues to find himself in music and lose himself in it also, a beautiful paradox that encompasses the highs and lows of the music industry and pressures of fame. This track being a collaboration with his contemporaries also adds a layer of complexity in acknowledging the collective understanding of its message. It recognises that these are not individual struggles but ones that affect so many people burdened by the public eye, and subsequently, they rely on one another to face these.

The incredible use of instrumentals in this album cannot be overlooked. The genius way in which they layer them on top of one another makes this cacophony of sound that works on both a level of chaos and of strategy. The high-pitched noises in ‘Rah Tah Tah’ give a sense of unease in a song dedicated to living on the edge, whilst the siren sound effects, when blended into his use of the synthesiser, give it autonomy. It becomes a dynamic entity in and of itself. On the other hand, the track ‘Judge Judy’, begins with a much more mellow sound, and the slow strumming of the guitar adds a sense of calmness and grounding. For a song where the lyrics seem to focus on an unproblematic lifestyle, with perhaps a more satirical undertone, it seems to be a perfectly crafted complement of sound and storyline. 

The artist takes his final work in a similar direction of initial serenity in terms of his musicality, however, the influx of dog barking sound effects and an introduction of more and more instruments imply some sense of growing unease, chaos and despair. It feels as though we are to leave the album thinking of the struggles of his life of fame as opposed to continued happiness and delight, a uniquely interesting and ingenious take. 

Tyler, The Creator sets himself in a dynamic position of vulnerability within each of these new releases. He uses his experience within the music industry to provide listeners with these feelings, feelings that can only be provoked using such insightful, real commentary. This artistic maturity sets him apart from others both inside and outside of his genre, subsequently allowing this new album to fill fans with joy, melancholy and unwavering pleasure. 

Abby Tapping 

@abs.tapp75

Image: ‘Chromakopia’ Official Album Cover