BY: ISABELA RANGEL / STAFF WRITER
On October 16th, Tyler the Creator fans were greeted on Instagram with a fleeting song snippet the artist had shared to his feed that morning. Coupled with an ominous music video of the rapper leading a line of unidentifiable artists all donned in masks, listeners were sure the next album of the year had in fact arrived. Chromokopia, debuting October 28th, took a daring leap into the mind of Tyler, the Creator, combining his unapologetic flair with vibrant sounds and even bolder guest appearances.
This album rollout differentiates itself from the others in a few key ways. The project itself has been long awaited after Tyler’s four-year album hiatus since Call Me If You Get Lost in June 2021. With 8 more songs released in the deluxe version last year, many fans were concerned considering the rapper’s usual pattern of dropping a full project every two years.
Keeping listeners on their toes as well as the potential artists’ features that had made the tracklist. Many fans hoped for appearances from artists such as Lil Yachty, Brent Faiyaz, and even Frank Ocean, who hasn’t appeared in the music scene since his 2017 album Blonde. Instead, listeners were surprised that early Monday morning with surprise verses from Daniel Caesar, Schoolboy Q, and even GloRilla.
From the opening of the album itself, Chromokopia sets a haunting and distinct sound for the rest of the project. With encouragement from Tyler’s mother, whose voice appears throughout the album, Tyler begins the opening song, St. Chroma, with promises to make it out, while questioning whether or not he has what it takes to make his way to the top. Coupled with amazing production and echoing harmonies by Daniel Caesar, it’s clear from the start that this is going to be a powerful project from Tyler, a different sound to match the new phase of his life and career.
The tracklist balances itself out nicely, with every (seemingly) contrasting genre and style coming together to introduce the new Tyler and the lessons he’s learned since his last album. Noid, the leading single, tells the story of an anxious and paranoid Tyler, lamenting his need for privacy from crazy fans. Tracks such as Rah Tah Tah and Thought I Was Dead bring a hectic but enjoyable sound to the album, combining Tyler and Schoolboy Q’s versatile flow with eclectic beats, all self-produced by the rapper himself.
Another standout from the album is track 8’s Sticky, featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne. With arguably the most surprising features on the album, this trap-infused high-energy track keeps listeners on their toes with its experimental bass-heavy breakdowns and unapologetic lyrics.
In contrast, Like Him is another significant but more somber song, detailing Tyler’s tumultuous relationship with his absent father. In a fusion of psychedelic sounds and harmonies by Lola Young, Tyler ponders on how he could miss someone he’s never met, desperately asking if he ‘looks like him’ in an attempt to share some common ground with a stranger.
Since its release, Tyler has continued to generate commotion for the project by performing pop-up shows in multiple cities, his latest one being at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York. He has additionally announced a world tour for the project with guest performers Lil Yachty and Paris Texas, set to begin in February 2025.
Vulnerable yet playful, the album ultimately reflects the point that Tyler, the Creator is in his life. Having started his career over 10 years ago, Tyler realizes that he must learn how to mix maturity into his usually carefree spirit. It’s clear from the start that this is a more mature project from the artist, a different sound to match the new phase of his life- one of self-assertion, growth, and individuality.
Chromokopia is, without a doubt, an unmissable album by Tyler, the Creator. It’s a raw and colorful project, with records that reveal a new layer of themselves with every replay. With its sonically compelling production choices and unfiltered storytelling, Tyler has crafted a timeless piece to mirror the unique career he’s built for himself.
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