CHROMAKOPIA is Tyler, The Creator’s seventh studio album. It was highly anticipated following the massive success of the previous album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, which debuted at number one in the US charts and won Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards. CHROMAKOPIA undoubtedly lives up to these expectations, showcasing the American artist’s unceasing growth as a songwriter, rapper, and producer.
I listened to this album upwards of four times before writing this. I have to admit that I didn’t fully click with it the first time, but spending more time with it, undistracted, has allowed me to fully appreciate the album. I would recommend you do the same before reading this review if you haven’t already.
At first I struggled with the variety found on CHROMAKOPIA, which ranges from uptempo tracks like “Rah Tah Tah” and “Sticky” with heavy beats and aggressive vocal performances to soulful and laidback tracks like “Judge Judy” and “Take Your Mask Off.” This range is nothing new for Tyler, who has repeatedly demonstrated his versatility and is unbeholden to any one genre or style.
However, initially this time it felt less cohesive than on previous projects. After subsequent listens however, I am beginning to seriously enjoy the sprawling, almost jarring, diversity, which feels appropriate for the album’s multitudinous themes and overarching uncertainty.
Tyler’s songwriting on this album is fantastic as he delivers nuanced discussion of a variety of complex themes. This is paired with excellent production that draws you into his complex emotions as he ages. On “Noid” he battles with the paranoia that comes with stardom. It’s hectic, with immense instrumentals that all combine to build the sense of anxiety.
“Darling, I” sees Tyler addressing love, and his shame surrounding an inability to commit to monogamy, and fear of relationships that last ‘forever.’ This struggle with commitment, settling down, and relationships crops up multiple times on CHROMAKOPIA.
Most notably, this is seen on the stripped down, almost spoken-word track “Hey Jane”, on which Tyler stages a dialogue between himself and a partner tackling the heavy emotions involved in a pregnancy scare. ‘Hey, Jane, I’m terrified, petrified. I don’t wanna give my freedom up, or sanitize it.’ The simple instrumentals allow room for him to be honest, as he beautifully articulates his own fears, shame, and acknowledgement of responsibility before doing the same in her perspective.
“I Killed You” uses black hair types and styles and the culture surrounding them, and Tyler’s relationship with his own hair, to address the complexities of race and navigate his heritage. ‘Full of shame so we straighten you out,’ he raps using the symbolism of hair to explore his heritage, oppression, and conformity.
Other themes that Tyler candidly tackles on CHROMAKOPIA include growing older, his relationship to his absent father and his mother, being true to oneself, and sex.
The production on the entire album is as incredible as fans have come to expect. It is complete with fun ad-libs, excellent samples, and uncredited vocal performances from the likes of Childish Gambino, Daniel Caesar, and Teezo Touchdown. The instrumentals are interesting and more importantly serve their individual songs excellently. Tyler creates sinister atmospheres, whirling panicked tracks, fun and dance-worthy beats, and more as appropriate.
This album is panicked and anxious, as Tyler reflects on his life and looks to the future. He is honest and scared, but at the same time braggadocious and self-assured. At first I thought this album lacked cohesion but I think it’s better understood as a demonstration of Tyler’s emotions and immense talent.
9/10
Image credit: Columbia Records
