Tyler Okonma, better known as Tyler the Creator, released his seventh studio album “Chromakopia” on Oct. 28., over a year after the release of his deluxe version of the 2021 album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”

This album broke his usual pattern of dropping music on odd numbered years, with the artist being secretive until he announced the release on Oct. 16, along with the teaser of the opening track “St.Chroma.” 

“Chromakopia” embodies the Tyler the Creator energy fans have been craving, but strays away from his usual adoption of a character, which can be seen in Wolf or Igor. This album stands out compared to previous ones, with songs standing out through an even more heightened level of maturity.

The rapper also broke his trend of including a song that has a slash in the name. Songs like “GONE, GONE/THANK YOU” and “SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” are some of his fan’s favorite hits. This album is definitely different from any previous releases; however, it is exactly what his fans needed. 

There has been much speculation on album features, despite the rapper saying there will be “no features.” Features were not originally noted on the tracklist, making each guest contributions a surprise. Some of the artist features include Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown and even Sexyy Red. Many were disappointed when Frank Ocean’s name was absent on the list, even though it was an unlikely hope as the singer has not released new music in years. The most predominant features is not from another artist, but from clips of advice his mother gives him throughout the album. 

Tracks 

1. St. Chroma

“St. Chroma” has been playing in every listener’s mind since the song was teased on Oct. 16. Before it was even released, only a few minutes of this track stirred up excitement as fans reminisced on past albums and made their guesses on who the masked people were in his teaser video. This was the perfect choice for an opening song along with the perfect feature, Daniel Caesar, adding vocals to the track. . 

2. Rah Tah Tah 

This is hands down the most underrated track on the album. It brings listeners back to the Tyler we know with a more chaotic and aggressive rap style. It is cocky, it is wild and it is so very Tyler the Creator. I have no critiques on this one, and he proves he is a master at his craft by taking the end of this track and flawlessly transitioning into track three “Noid.” 

3. Noid 

“Noid,” short for paranoid, was released prior to the album on Oct. 21. The rapper expresses paranoia about being watched, especially by paparazzi and fans. It’s not breaking news that he does not enjoy being approached by fans. He does not react this way to be mean, but, because he wants to be treated like a normal human being. Fans know he’s been saying this since “Colossus” off “Wolf”.
4. Darling, I 

Tyler brings back Teezo Touchdown, the same artist featured on “Call Me If You Get Lost.” This track reflects on love, commitment and change. The background instrumentals and Teezo Touchdown’s vocals add layers to his lyrics. Throughout the song, it is evident that the problem is staying with one person, which Tyler takes ownership of.
5. Hey Jane

One thing Tyler does best is tell a story. Most of his albums tell a story all together, some of the singular tracks having their own. In “Hey Jane,” he is addressing a partner that is pregnant, or possibly pregnant with his child. It is a back and forth dialogue that perfectly sums up how he feels, especially since it is widely known that he himself does not have a father.

The topic of fatherhood is consistently covered throughout the album. This track not only shows his own worries, but the hypothetical partner’s worries as well. Everything about “Hey Jane” reminds me of “Wilshire” from “Call Me If You Get Lost” as they both make listeners feel like they are not only listening to a song but reading a story. 
 6. I Killed You 
Tyler brings Childish Gambino in this track to discuss killing one version of himself, in order to show off a more culturally acceptable one. Throughout the song, important factors of his identity of being a black man are explored as he refers to different things, especially hair. 
7. Judge Judy 

“Judge Judy” is a play by play on Tyler’s time with a girl and a progression as the relationship continues. Halfway through the song, the recycled use of lyrics from Tyler’s song “DOGTOOTH” from “Call Me If You Get Lost” stood out.

While this is an overly lighthearted song about how he won’t judge a woman named Judy, it ends abruptly with the woman replying that her lack of communication towards the end of the relationship is because she died of cancer. 

8. Sticky 

The hate on this song is so forced. Never would I have thought I would need a track with Tyler, GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne. It is upbeat and flaunts every accomplishment of the artists featured. This one has been on repeat and probably will be for a while. 

9. Take Your Mask Off

“Take Your Mask Off” tackles the everyday use of a mask that most people in today’s society use. Tyler takes multiple examples such as hiding queerness and hiding true wants, desires and answers. The mask is eventually just doing more harm than good. He then spins the idea of a mask onto himself by incorporating his fears and what he hides into the narrative. This fits with the narrative of the album by not hiding being a mask.

10. Tomorrow 

Tyler battles decisions here, specifically the decision of becoming a father and starting a family. His mother tells him how she wants grandchildren, which is then followed by lyrics about his hair is turning gray, gaining weight and getting older. Tyler is saying he will wait until tomorrow to worry about this, which leads to a never ending cycle. It connects to the rest of the album, such as songs like “Darling, I” and “Hey Jane.”

11. Thought I Was Dead 

Starting off strong with the chanting of “you don’t wanna go to war with a soldier,” this track is one of faster paced ones off the album. Tyler, ScHoolboy Q and Santigold call out “culture-vultures” in hip-hop by putting themselves above them. He groups himself outside the rest of the genre and further backs his past actions and words.

12. Like Him 

“Like Him” is one of my favorite tracks on the album and sounds like a mature sequel to “Answer” from his 2013 album “Wolf”. Tyler is on the topic of his absent father, who has been one of the central factors of his music for years.

Throughout the track, he talks about comparisons between his dad and himself, aided by narration from his mother. It takes a less aggressive stance than “Answer” and a more questioning one.

13. Balloon

Tyler continues talking about his ambitions and how he likes having options in “Balloon.” Doechii is introduced halfway through the track, and the artist takes over the majority of it. While I like the overall sound of this track and I understand the words, it hasn’t been hitting right for me.

14. I Hope You Find Your Way Home 

“Chromakopia” is concluded with “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” where Tyler ties all loose ends by telling “Jane” he is not ready for a child, and he answers “Darling, I” by saying he is not going to settle down. It does its job and ends with the starting “Chromakopia” chant at the last few seconds of the song, signifying that this story is over. 

This album proves Tyler the Creator’s artistic ability and his room for growth by giving fans something that reflects the old him, while giving listeners a new sound. The rapper has an unparalleled storytelling ability that has its own uniqueness that no one else in the hip hop industry has.