CHROMAKOPIA is the eighth album from California rapper and producer, Tyler, the Creator. I reviewed Igor earlier this year, which is easily his best album by a landslide, but I’ve also been keeping up with Tyler ever since he released his first album, Goblin, back when I was like 11 or 12 years old. I didn’t really like that album outside of a few tracks, but once Wolf came out in 2013, I became a massive fan. Nowadays, Tyler is a lot less dark and edgy, and a lot more conscious, honest, and vulnerable. I like how true he is to himself, and I feel like from Wolf to Flower Boy, we got to know the real Tyler way more, rather than the dark edgier persona he started out with on his mixtape Bastard, as well as Goblin. Anyways, here are my thoughts.

     I will start by saying this album is one of Tyler’s most experimental sounding, which is a positive. “St. Chroma,” featuring Daniel Caesar, has this intense whispered flow from Tyler and a marching rhythm which almost feels like a call to action. The start of an exciting journey. I like that the album continues his pattern of personal exploration, like on his previous two albums, Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. I really love the instrumental of “Rah Tah Tah,” as well as Tyler’s aggressive flow on the track. He really knocked it out of the park when it comes to his production. The first single off this project, “Noid,” is one of my favorites on the album, I love the fuzzy guitar and gorgeous vocal harmonies on the instrumental. I also like how relatable Tyler is, as he raps about how he fears for his safety, due to a lack of privacy as a celebrity. Him buying a mansion is reported on, and it makes him worried that people will find out where he lives. At around the 2:26 mark, the track just takes on this psychedelic jazzy vibe, something that Tyler does especially well, historically, and then how the last section of the song sounds darker and heavier, instrumentally. I really like the inclusion of Willow on this track. I like the features on this album for the most part, especially the inclusions of Teezo Touchdown, Daniel Caesar, and ScHoolboy Q. Probably the only feature I could do without with was Sexyy Red. “Hey Jane,” is a great track that explores the shock that comes from learning about an unexpected pregnancy. It’s incredibly thoughtful, understandable, and honest. The beat is moody and atmospheric and I like that Tyler is making his listeners sympathize with both the man and the woman in the relationship. It’s one of the most honest and raw tracks I’ve ever heard from Tyler, and it reminds me a lot of “48,” in that respect. Some other favorites on my album include “Take Your Mask Off,” “Thought I Was Dead,” and “Tomorrow.”

      Overall, while I don’t think it’s as amazing as Igor or Call Me If You Get Lost, CHROMAKOPIA is an incredibly strong album with mostly solid features, excellent production all done by Tyler, and powerful lyrics that the listener can identify with. “Sticky,” is probably my least favorite track on the album, partly due to the Sexxy Red feature, but also because I’m just not a fan of the song overall. I like that Tyler is having fun on the track, but it’s easily one I skip, although I do really like GloRilla and Lil Wayne’s verses. In conclusion, the album was definitely worth the three year wait, but it’s got its flaws. I highly recommend that you guys give this album a listen.

Overall Score: 9/10

Favorite Tracks: “St. Chroma,” “Rah Tah Tah,” “Noid,” “Hey Jane,” “Tomorrow,” “Darling, I,”

Least Favorite Tracks: “Sticky,”

Listen: https://youtu.be/qFfjnPOXmUM?si=7rPo_jy9Nxj-50CO

Genres: West Coast Hip Hop/Jazz Rap/Neo-Soul