The Kaleidoscope that is Chromakopia 

Sadhbh O'Grady Keeley

Credits: Tyler, The Creator

When I listen to a new album in full, I believe the only way to experience it properly is by closing my eyes and painting a picture of it in my head. With this album I couldn’t paint a picture, all I could see was the green reds and blues swirling to create an album of emotion. 

Tyler, the Creator is a director, singer, song writer, producer, fashion designer (and many more titles). He carefully transports listeners to a colourful realm of sound with Chromakopia, which has the effect of being sprayed across a canvas, or a futuristic musical kaleidoscope. Tyler is well-known for pushing limits and reinventing his sound with every album, I think this is why there can be so much hype around his mainstream music. We almost expect the unexpected now with Tyler, the Creator. His distinct sound is so recognisable yet all his sounds are so different. The 33 year old from Hawthorne, California looks to his home turf for inspiration as it has shaped him as a person as well as his musical style. 

With almost no notice and a very sudden release/drop it feels fitting, listening to ‘Chromakopia’ feels like listening to organised colourful chaos. Chromakopia, Tyler’s seventh studio album, is another purposefully imperfect examination of turbulent emotions, this time addressing the intricacies of his life in the public eye. Tyler addresses how as he grows older he grows even more confused. This album is a homage to mid life crisis as he experiences it. Paul Attard (Slant) describes it as “intentionally messy” The chaotic appears frequently in Tyler’s discography and provides a handy defence against accusations that his lyrical content is occasionally a little clumsy. 

His most recent work is a musical and emotional journey that combines audacious, genre bending production with honest, contemplative lyrics. This is the first time I’ve seen Tyler be less “hyped” about his fame and take a more doubtful approach. Tyler takes us on an immersive trip that is as much about self-discovery as it is about creativity, with each track revealing a distinct “shade” of his musical palette. Tyler reminds me of why he is still one of hip-hop’s most captivating innovators in Chromakopia, presenting a new angle on his craft that is as vibrant as it is nuanced. 

In the lyrics of Chromakopia, Tyler is shown to be vulnerable. His mother, Bonita Smith, interjects throughout the album to encourage Tyler to be himself, or as she puts it on “St. Chroma”: “Don’t you ever in your motherf**king life dim your light for nobody.” As Tyler shows a very honest side of himself that has never been shown before, he takes his mother’s advice to heart.

In keeping with the mask metaphor on the album cover, Tyler’s song “Take Your Mask Off” implores listeners to be as genuine as he is. Criticising mothers who feel they have lost their energy since having children, priests who propagate religious dishonesty, and middle-class children who wish to behave ghetto. “Take Your Mask Off” is honestly a major standout song from a songwriting standpoint alone, including some of Tyler’s greatest bars on the album. It’s an old school hip-hop crossover with a lofi styled song. The line “Take your mask off” automatically reminded me of sociologist Erving Goffman and his theory that faces do not exist for the sake of masks, take off the mask, don’t hide who you are for anyone and don’t pretend to be something else. Obviously this album is full of emotional creativity as well as deep meaning just like his other albums and 32 singles. 

The transition from the first album titled track to the second track “Noid” is, in my opinion, perfection. With minimal explanation or reward, “Noid” uses a Zamrock sample together with some crazy psych-rock guitars. Like many of the songs on Chromakopia, this one forgoes groove and catchiness in favour of showcasing Tyler’s eccentricities, it’s not my favourite track on the album but still the narrative of this song works more than the song itself.  

“Hey Jane” is a story where Tyler impregnates someone. It’s interesting to note that he raps from the viewpoints of both parties in this scenario in a way that seems authentic, nuanced, and as complicated as a situation like this would truly be. I’ll admit that the track isn’t very attractive thematically. It shouldn’t be, in my opinion. Since Tyler doesn’t truly read his feelings about not being in this child’s life, he doesn’t really present the best image. As he works through more of his abandonment issues, this does somewhat come full circle relating to his own father issues he would usually bring up in his music. I do think out of this album, this is the song that paints a picture best story wise. 

 Tyler concludes his latest album with the song “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” which revisits previously covered subjects like parenting (mainly fatherhood) while also celebrating his accomplishments, such as mentioning his Louis Vuitton collection. His mother’s heartfelt voice message, complimenting him on his accomplishments, closes the song. 

Overall this is a good album and a very pleasant listening experience, these songs could have easily ended up on any other album which is what I think is great about Tyler’s refreshing music style. It is all so different yet recognizable as it steers away from the traditional mainstream music, “rap” or “pop”. It is full of thrills and storytelling and has that edge. Still, I can’t help but feel there is something missing?

What is next for the astonishing artist that is Tyler, The Creator? Who knows? But one thing I am certain of is he will continue to push boundaries and reinvent his style, continuing to take the mask off and be himself.