Alternative hip-hop artist Tyler, the Creator recently released his eighth studio album “CHROMAKOPIA.” It has 14 new tracks and a run time of 53 minutes. The album, filled with vulnerable storytelling, marks a new and more personal era for his music.
Tyler, the Creator stands out for his personality, lyricism and production quality. He is well-known in pop culture, namely through his prior involvement in Odd Future, a hip-hop music collective that released music, sold clothing and had its own record label.
Hannah Jackson, first-year English and communication double-major, started listening to Tyler, the Creator in middle school. Though she usually listens to indie music, Tyler, the Creator is a distinct but welcomed addition to her listening repertoire.
“I really like his sound. I think his production quality is really high, and I don’t really think I hear a lot of things that sound like him in other places ever,” Jackson said. “I also really love his lyrics. His lyrics are always really meaningful. … Every song tells a story and has a purpose.”
“CHROMAKOPIA” continues Tyler, the Creator’s trend of storytelling. Kily Jasso, junior computer science major, was especially drawn to the overarching themes of growth, conflict and love within the album. While listening, Jasso said he was primarily focused on the lyricism, noting that he felt like the story was being told directly to him while listening.
“I liked the story that it told of someone starting out, getting big, falling off a little, and then I know it talked about his love life a lot,” Jasso said. “I did like the music. I thought it was a pretty good medium to tell the story.”
However, the album marks a shift in the tone of Tyler, the Creator’s music. Jackson said that this album has more maturity in its sound and content in comparison to his previous album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”
“I feel like, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ is very … light-hearted, and it’s a lot more feel-good music that you can just put on a long drive and relax and have fun to,” Jackson said. “But ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ is truly a listening experience. It’s entrancing. It’s so good.”
Vulnerability makes this album stand out in his discography. Kolbi Wolford, sophomore neuroscience major, is also a long-time fan of Tyler, the Creator’s music. She began listening to his music after he released “Flower Boy” in 2017.
“I think it’s really just more emotionally vulnerable, but he still makes sure to appeal to his older fans through the songs by drawing back to his characteristic rap-heavy sound,” Wolford said.
The album’s content revolves around personal problems and experiences that Tyler, the Creator grapples with. For example, the song “Noid” chronicles Tyler, the Creator’s struggle with the difficulties of fame and the paranoia he feels from the constant media attention he receives as a celebrity. Many of the songs, including “Noid,” contain a candid voice memo from Tyler’s mother giving him advice — an element that adds an intimate touch.
“Obviously, I’m not famous. So it’s like, I can’t resonate with that. But it just brings out a side of stardom maybe not everyone thinks about,” Wolford said. “They are a person at the end of the day.”
Overall, “CHROMAKOPIA” marks a switch in Tyler, the Creator’s previous work. Whether this more personal element will continue in his forthcoming music is unknown. In any case, he has demonstrated versatility in his content, which has left fans excited for the future.
“I think it really shows his growth and maturity over time, which I really do like. I don’t know if he’ll deal with these heavy topics in his next album, if he releases another one, which I do think he will because he’s a creator,” Jackson said. “I’m excited to see what he can produce later.”
