It has been three years since Tyler, The Creator released the album “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” and his musical return has come with a creative bang: “CHROMAKOPIA,” his newest release, is the artist’s eighth studio album. Shortly before the album came out, Tyler released his single “St. Chroma.” The song begins with Tyler whisper-rapping his lyrics as if he has a confession to tell. Fans were eager to hear what Tyler had to say. “CHROMAKOPIA” is inspired by his mother’s advice and what he learned from life experiences. The collection is narrated by Tyler’s mother, Bonita Smith.
“CHROMAKOPIA” was released on Oct. 28. The album has 14 songs and a runtime of 53 minutes. The tracks seamlessly transition when listening in order, creating a smooth listening experience. Tyler blended multiple genres in his songs with elements of jazz, R&B, soul and pop woven into “CHROMAKOPIA.” He also assembled an impressive list of featured artists, including Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne, LaToiya Williams, ScHoolboy Q, Santigold, Lola Young and Doechii, each adding their unique sound to the album.
“CHROMAKOPIA” begins with Tyler’s single “St. Chroma,” featuring Daniel Caesar. Smith, Tyler’s mother, opens with the statement, “You are the light / It’s not on you, it’s in you / Don’t you ever in your motherfucking life dim your light for nobody.” She implies that “CHROMAKOPIA” represents Tyler’s newly found light of honesty and maturity.
“Darling, I” highlights Tyler’s view on romantic relationships, exploring his struggle with and interest in monogamy. He continues the theme of relationships with songs like “Hey Jane” and “Judge Judy.” Jane is depicted as a romantic partner who becomes pregnant, with the song exploring both Tyler and Jane’s feelings of shame surrounding the pregnancy. In “Judge Judy,” Tyler calls back to his song “DOGTOOTH.” Both tracks reflect on promiscuity, with Tyler emphasizing the importance of not judging others for their sexual pasts.
“I Killed You” marks a thematic shift in the album to a more mature Tyler. The song opens with a play on the nursery rhyme “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.” In “I Killed You,” Tyler suggests he’s “killing” a former, perhaps naïve version of himself. The song ends with him singing, “You’re so beautiful / just as beautiful,” showing Tyler’s appreciation for both his renewed and younger self.
The album cover for “CHROMAKOPIA” features Tyler wearing a mask that resembles his own face. In his song “Take Your Mask Off,” he addresses different ways people hide behind their “masks.” He speaks of a young boy who romanticizes life in the hood while growing up in a traditional middle-class life, as well as a stay-at-home mom who abandoned her dream to have children. Tyler reveals his own struggle with wearing a metaphorical mask and his desire to be true to himself.
“CHROMAKOPIA” ends with the song “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” which wraps up the entire album. In “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” Tyler admitted to feeling lost in life. Throughout his journey of writing and producing “CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler seems to have matured or “found his way home.” Smith ends the album’s last song with a monologue: “Real shit, I’m proud of you,” acknowledging Tyler’s musical and personal growth.
