Tyler, the Creator ripped his heart out and laid it out on the table with his new album “CHROMAKOPIA,” with gnashing production, miraculous features and his most vulnerable lyrics yet. The emotionally personal album explores the anxieties of becoming an adult and the freedom that comes with it.
“St. Chroma” opens the album with a spoken sample from Tyler’s mom, Bonita Smith. She is seemingly talking directly to Tyler and explains that he is not “in the light,” but the light is within him. This is such an fascinating take on fame and how Tyler is handling being in the public eye. The beat and synths pick up with a unique whistling sample and quickly turn this song into one of his best album openers.
This song formally introduces the album’s character, Saint Chroma, who represents a more open version of Tyler. As the listener gets deeper in the album, the mask he is wearing on the album cover begins to slip and his more vulnerable side presents itself.
“Darling, I” is an upbeat track with unique drum patterns disguised with heavy themes. His introspective lyrics dive deep into his conflicting ideas of falling in love and freedom. He says that being with one person forever is too long, and he feels more fulfilled by making music than being in love.
“But when that gray hair finally come / At least I felt somethin’ if I ain’t find the one / Nobody could fulfill me like this music shit does / So I’ll be lonely with these Grammys when it’s all said and done,” raps Tyler.
He also describes his struggle with monogamy and how he can’t grasp being with one person forever. He often fantasizes about getting married and having kids, but worries that he’s going to get bored and move on to someone else and start all over again. This track stood out to me the most due to Tyler’s tenderness in his lyrics and engaging production. The popping sample, backing vocals and adlibs make this song one of my favorites off the album.
The fifth track on the album, “Hey Jane,” is my personal favorite, taking on narrative storytelling in letter format. The story follows Tyler and his partner navigating an accidental pregnancy and dealing with their shared anxieties and fear.
The first verse is in Tyler’s point of view going back and forth with trying to support his partner while also trying to talk himself down. He is petrified and knows he will not be a good dad at this point in his life, but says at the end of his verse he will support his partner whether she decides to keep it or not.
“I’m stressed out, I’m dead inside / But, hey, Jane, who am I to come bitch and complain? / You gotta deal with all the mental and the physical change / All the heaviest emotions, and the physical pain / Just to give the kid the man last name,” raps Tyler.
His partner tells him that there is a voice inside her that wants to keep the baby, but she knows it is not the right thing to do. She reminds Tyler that she grew up with a single mom and would not mind having to raise their kid on her own, not wanting to uproot his life.
“Hey Jane” is one of my favorites because Tyler painted a clear picture and told the story in such detail to where it feels almost too personal to be listening to. This song immediately stood out to me and I hope to hear work more similar to this one in the future.
“Take Your Mask Off” is another narrative track, telling stories of different people living double lives. One being a homophobic preacher with a wife and kids who is deep in the closet. He follows these stories by confessing his own insecurities. He talks about how on the surface, he acts like a confident and almost cocky rapper, but deep down feels like he has not accomplished anything of substance. He calls himself selfish and a failure, and reflects that maybe that is the reason he does not feel ready to be a parent.
“Boy, that therapy needed, I’d dare you to seek it, but I’d lose a bet / Your respect won’t get given ’til we postin’ your death / It’s clear you wish you got your flowers sent,” raps Tyler.
He uses a mask literally and metaphorically, as an object to protect your real face but to also cover true emotions. He hopes that all of the people in these stories, including himself, are able to take their masks off and be themselves eventually.
“Like Him” has gained worldwide attention due to Tyler airing out his past and being vulnerable about something he’s never talked about. The conversation surrounding his dad came up in previous songs and he explained how his dad left him and his mom before Tyler was born. This track is a heart-shattering listen. Tyler is struggling with his identity and refusing to be connected to his father in any shape or form. He explains his thankfulness for his mother and how she filled all the roles his father should have been.
“Mama, I’m chasin’ a ghost… / I don’t know where he is I would nevеr judge ya / ‘Cause evеrything worked out without him,” sings Tyler.
Tyler repeats throughout the song asking his mom if he looks like him, “him” being his father. On the final verse he switches the lyric stating that he does not look like him. The dichotomy between these lyrics makes me tear up every time because of his conclusion to reject being connected to his father. Smith reveals in a spoken word at the end that his father not being in his life was her fault and told Tyler’s father to leave them. His father wanted that connection with Tyler, she said no and is now asking Tyler to forgive her for it.
This song is incredibly powerful and never fails to make me cry. Tyler’s indebtedness on this song is incredibly strong and has struck a chord with his fans. The production on this song is flawless, starting with a simple piano and ending with a crescendo that almost feels representative of his emotions.
There were no bars held for this record, and I could not be happier with this long awaited release. He has always been a talented writer, producer and rapper, but he outdid himself with “CHROMAKOPIA.” He came back better than ever with groovy synths, grand pianos and unbelievable features. This album set an even higher standard than his previous album “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” and fans can only expect even greater music from here.
