Tyler Gregory Okonma, also known as Tyler the Creator, is an American rapper/producer who has put out a substantial amount of very popular and catchy music. Tyler’s discography includes albums such as Igor, Wolf, Flower Boy, and Chromokopia. Chromokopia is Tyler’s 7th studio album and has been highly anticipated by fans all over the world.
Before diving into Tyler’s new album I think it’s necessary to look back on his previous music to understand where this album is on a timeline in regards to his musical journey. Tyler’s first studio album Goblin, often described as raw and provocative features a mix of aggressive beats and introspective lyrics, showcasing Tyler’s unique storytelling. Next came Wolf, a more cohesive story with themes of love and self discovery. Wolf was a significant step for Tyler in terms of music style. Then Tyler dropped Cherry Bomb; a punk, jazz, and hip-hop mashup, Cherry Bomb showed the world that Tyler could break boundaries and explore his own style. Flower Boy was a major turning point for Tyler, he showed a more vulnerable part of himself. With a focus on identity and loneliness this album contrasts his earlier work by feeling more melodic and inviting. Another big album for Tyler came next in the form of Igor, Tyler mixed multiple styles including rap, funk, and R&B. Igor moves towards a more mature and emotional style in a way different from previous albums. Finally Call Me If You Get Lost combines Tyler’s boastful attitude with themes of self discovery to create a marvelously deep but also confident album. Tyler explores new sounds and shows off his production skills to showcase growth as a musician as a whole.
Chromokopia is a stepping stone to bigger and better music for Tyler, it feels confident while maintaining a level of composure. Songs like “Judge Judy” and “Balloon” emphasize a feeling of maturity through smooth jazzy beats and a confident but calm tone, similar to that of The Alchemist, an American producer known for his sample heavy music. Some of my favorite songs on this album include “Darling, I,” “Hey Jane,” “Like Him,” “Tomorrow,” “Judge Judy,” “Take Your Mask Off,” and “Balloon.” Tyler covers a wide range of emotions, from sad to braggadocio to compassionate, with a multitude of techniques such as samples or layered vocals. Overall Chromokopia feels like new music for Tyler but can also be seen as a logical stepping stone with styles from previous albums.
