On “CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler, the Creator serves up the culmination of his albums past, with synths reminiscent of “Goblin,” the slow, nostalgic rhythms of “Wolf,” and off-the-wall audio mixing of “Cherry Bomb.”

On Oct. 28, Tyler, the Creator released his 8th studio album, and dare we say magnum opus.

“CHROMAKOPIA” is made up of 14 tracks, including three singles that were dropped before the full release, “St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar),” “Thought I was Dead (feat. ScHoolboy Q and Santigold)” and “Noid.”

Tyler announced the release of “St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar)” on his Instagram, with a video of him and 10 other people in masks and suits marching behind him.

Many fans thought these people were different artists that would be featured on the album. Some even convinced themselves that Frank Ocean would resurrect his career.

The artists that are featured on “CHROMAKOPIA” are Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne, LaToiya Williams, ScHoolboy Q, Santigold, Lola Young and Doechii.

The story being delivered on the album is one of parenthood and the anxiety and pressure that come with aging. Tracks like “Darling, I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)” and “Hey Jane” build up this narrative of Tyler’s mom giving him advice as he’s growing up, whether it’s to “always use a condom” or “don’t ever tell no b*tch you love her, if you don’t mean it.”

In contrast, the song “Like Him (feat. Lola Young),” explores his mother’s internal guilt of being a single mother by choice, and not letting Tyler’s father have a relationship with him.

“Sticky (feat. Sexyy Red, GloRilla and Lil Wayne)” was an unexpected sound on the first listen, with playground-type cheering and the contrast between Tyler’s vulnerable rapping and GloRilla and Sexyy Red’s upbeat, vulgar lyrics.

Taylor’s picks

“Darling I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)” is my favorite from the album. This song explores the idea of love and relationships, but also the contradictions of commitment and freedom. Tyler explains his deep desire for emotional connection, but the craving for independence. This song brought me back to his “IGOR” era, with the smooth vocals and romantic instrumentals. The song feels tender, with Teezo Touchdown’s verse deepening the emotional complexity of the contradicting feelings throughout the song.

“Take Your Mask Off (feat. Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams)” is my second pick of the album. This song blends Tyler’s talent of pensive lyrics over smooth instrumentals. The lyrics particularly moved me in its message of self-exploration, identity, and feeling pressure to hide your true self. Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams’ vocals over the instrumentals deepen the meaning of the song and bring in more emotion.

“I Hope You Find Your Way Home” is my third pick from the album. This song is a perfect conclusion to the album, capturing every theme of the tracks before and encapsulating them into the journey of self-discovery, with tender and emotional singing layered over smooth and whimsical synths. The song leaves the entire album off with Tyler’s mother, “Real sh*t, I’m proud of you…Do your thing, just keep, keep shinin’.”

Jon’s picks

Without a doubt, “Like Him (feat. Lola Young)” is the best song on the album. No other song better exemplifies the themes of maturity and aging. As a long-time fan of Tyler especially, this song struck a particular chord with me. The opening song and title track of his debut mixtape “Bastard” breaks down his feelings toward his absent father, but they’re laid out aggressively in the edgy style Tyler was known for at the time. Here, Tyler sheds the carefree attitude he’s always taken toward his father and truly ponders how it feels to look like someone you’ve never seen. The lines his mother says at the beginning and ends of the track bare her soul as well, giving even more perspective into Tyler’s familial dynamics. By the end, I was honestly near tears, and it’s a track I’ll be revisiting for years to come.

“Rah Tah Tah” was my first standout track on the album. Immediately, the wonky synth sent me straight back to the 2010s, reminding me of that classic Odd Future sound. I was happy to see it was intentional, with Tyler himself referencing his original circle in the lyrics. The thick, booming kick drum on the track makes it impossible to not bump your head while listening. It’s definitely the hardest-hitting song on the album for me.

“Hey Jane” was the next track that I knew would stick with me. The story that Tyler weaves about a hypothetical (maybe?) unplanned pregnancy is raw, nuanced and vivid. I found myself completely immersed in the song, feeling the myriad of emotions described within. Getting Jane’s perspective was creative, and absolutely needed for this story to be done justice. I was not expecting a song like this in the slightest, which made my reaction to it all the more powerful.

Final Thoughts

This album feels like the final piece of the puzzle that he has been experimenting with since the very beginning. Incorporating sonic fragments from all of his past eras and masterfully crafting something that feels familiar while still feeling like an evolution.

Overall, we rate “CHROMAKOPIA” a solid 10/10, production and lyricism-wise, Tyler reaches new heights and explores new concepts and experiences that we haven’t heard from him before. From the pensive delivery of lyrics, the emotional complexity of the features and his mother’s advice being prevalent throughout the entire album, “CHROMAKOPIA” leaves new fans impressed and long-time fans impacted once again.