The second I found out Tyler, The Creator was releasing “Chromakopia,” I knew I had to review it. I’ve only been listening to Tyler, the Creator for about a year and a half, and I’m not as educated on his music as some of his older, more serious fans, but I’m a huge appreciator of his music, style and lyrics. In my opinion, he’s one of the most interesting and compelling artists of our generation, and I’m so excited that I can share all of my thoughts on this extremely cool project.
My average rating for the songs individually was 8.71, but the album as a whole has to be a 9.25/10 for me. A quick disclaimer: I’m no music expert. Eighty percent of this article is just me saying I liked the way the songs sounded. It’s 100% opinion-based.
Track One: “St. Chroma” (ft. Daniel Caesar)
This song is the perfect introduction to the album and the era. From the raw audio intro and the absolutely angelic vocals from Daniel Caesar to the building production and the first exposure to the record’s major themes, I literally can’t imagine a better way to bring us into this project.
“Don’t you ever in your motherf*cking life dim your light for nobody.”
Tyler, the Creator, “St. Chroma”
One of the major highlights of this song for me is the lyrics. I love the internal conflict in the lyrics, and I see them as sort of an acknowledgment of how far Tyler has come in his career and how much he’s accomplished. Also, can we talk about Daniel Caesar? I love Caesar and his vocals and his work in general, and I loved seeing so much of him on this album (more on this later, of course). Also, I always love a tribute to a mom in rap music (see: “Apparently” by J. Cole), and this one is no different. Hearing Tyler’s mom throughout the album, but especially on this track, makes it feel so much more personal. Her advice is something that everyone deserves to have heard when they were growing up.
“I’m gon’ make it out, promise I’m gon’ make it out.”
Tyler, the Creator, “St. Chroma”
I loved this song because it got me so, so excited to listen to the record, which is probably the most important part of an opening track. I loved the way it picked up as it went on and how it started with just a whisper. I also loved the quick a cappella moment from Caesar in the very last seconds.
My rating for “St. Chroma” is 9/10, starting the album on a very high note.
Track Two: “Rah Tah Tah“
As soon as I heard “St. Chroma” shift straight into “Rah Tah Tah,” I knew one thing this album would not disappoint on was the song-to-song transitions. I always think that’s one of the most underrated aspects of an album. There’s something really cool and memorable about not just the main ideas of the songs going together but the actual music of the songs fitting together seamlessly.
“Someone tell Zendaya she my favorite, can she hit me up?”
Tyler, the Creator, “Rah Tah Tah”
This song was one of my absolute favorites on the album, easily making my top five at number three. I thought it was flawlessly placed as the second track, acting as the perfect accelerator after the opener. The Zendaya callout was impeccable, the Kendrick reference was superb and the little “or those women” moment was perfect (if you know what I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about). I absolutely ate this one up.
My rating for “Rah Tah Tah” is 9.5/10, and I will be keeping this one on repeat for a while.
Track Three: “Noid“
In my opinion, this transition is even better than the last and probably the best on the album. Although, for me, this song doesn’t necessarily hit the way some other songs on the album do. I understand its merits, and I am obsessed with the sample, which is from a Zambian rock band called Ngozi Family, but the overall sound of this one just isn’t for me.
“Want info about me? Read a book on me.”
Tyler, the Creator, “NOID”
The production and lyrics are objectively incredible, though. I know it’s simple, but I can’t say I wasn’t obsessed with the way the audio switched from one ear to the other and back when he said, “Left shoulder, right shoulder, left shoulder look.” Willow Smith is also an incredible addition to the song and the album as a whole. Her vocals, just like all the other backing vocalists, add so much more substance and support to the production and just make the songs feel solid. Also, a shout-out to Ayo Edebiri, who makes the most haunting and amazing cameo in the music video for this song. The music video was so relevant — I would highly recommend giving it a watch if you didn’t already give it one on the day it came out.
My rating for “NOID” is 8/10. I am recognizing how objectively good it is, but still stand by it not being one of my favorites.
Track Four: “Darling, I” (ft. Teezo Touchdown)
With nothing but vibes to back me up here, this is my big statement on this song: it lowkey seems like the “EARFQUAKE” of this album. By that I mean it’s the most palatable and likable (and basic) song on the record. Basic in a good way, of course, because I love it just as much as the rest of the listeners did.
“Just how long is forever?”
Tyler, the Creator, “Darling, I”
It has a really cool retro vibe to its production, which I liked a lot. The lyrics aren’t necessarily the most standout on the album, but they work perfectly for the idea. The vocals from Teezo are the perfect feature. Once again, the a cappella moments have made an appearance in this song, and they’re the icing on the cake. In short, it’s the perfect, easy Tyler track for serious fans and casual new listeners alike.
My rating for “Darling, I” is 9.5/10; it just has such a good vibe!
Track Five: “Hey Jane“
The very first time I listened to this song, I knew it was my favorite. I’m always a lyrics-first person (at least when they’re slow and clear enough to process on the first listen), and of course, this one stood out to me lyrically. The parallel storytelling from the first to the second verse deserves all the awards.
“If it was bound to happen to me, I’m lucky it’s you.”
Tyler, the Creator, “Hey Jane”
I don’t have much to say about the production of this one because I always get distracted by the story, but I am really into the sound. But I do think this song’s biggest asset is the story within it, and the way Tyler highlights the female perspective so accurately is so cool. I also feel vulnerability as it’s expressed in this song isn’t a theme that’s explored as much as it could be in hip-hop, and while this song obviously leans more towards R&B, it’s still a refreshing thing to see from a major male hip-hop artist like Tyler.
My rating for “Hey Jane” is 10/10, and I believe people truly aren’t appreciating it enough.
Track Six: “I Killed You“
I did have to actually read these lyrics to get what Tyler was talking about, but I love how he brings up the topic of natural African hair textures and the stigma that surrounds them in every facet of American culture. I think a song is such a cool way to bring up the topic, and once again I feel like he’s really channeling that vulnerability and honesty within his music that we can always use more of. In my experience, natural hair stigma is often discussed concerning women more than men, so I think it’s important that Tyler discusses his natural hair story on this track.
“Talking bout my heritage, I would never kill you.”
Tyler, the Creator, “I Killed You”
The sound of this song is so cool in general, but my favorite part has to be the shift in the music towards the end of the song once the lyrics become more accepting and embracing of Tyler’s natural hair texture. Childish Gambino (AKA Donald Glover) makes a confirmed appearance on this track, and I am so happy to hear him. His vocals are such a cool addition to the song, and I was so excited when I saw on Tyler’s story that this feature wasn’t just fans thinking they heard Childish Gambino’s voice, but it was his actual voice on the track.
My rating for “I Killed You” is 9/10 because the lyrics are just too good.
Track Seven: “Judge Judy“
As a longtime “Dogtooth” fan, the lyrical callback to my favorite song from “Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale” made my day. This track was an instant classic for me, and even though it’s not my favorite on the album, I liked it a lot. I’m a huge fan of the really laid-back production and, of course, the lyrical play in “Judge Judy.”
“I wasn’t living right until they told me what was left / I’m wishing you the best, P.S. / Thank you for not judging Judy.”
Tyler, the Creator, “Judge Judy”
The transition into this song from “I Killed You” is maybe my favorite transition on the album — did I say that already? They’re all my favorites, and I’m a fan of the whole “keep your opinions to yourself, don’t judge” message of the song. Of course, the lyrics get a little out of pocket at times, but that’s part of the fun of this one. I almost feel like the outro is too long, but I think it depends on the moment.
My rating for “Judge Judy” is 8.5/10. There was a very cool lyric and production combo.
Track Eight: “Sticky” (ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne)
The people hating on this song are lame to the core because it’s one of the most fun drops I’ve heard recently. The features are all so incredibly good, and I love the way they just keep on going. Solange on backing vocals was just the cherry on top of the already stacked list of names on this song, and it’s literally everything I could’ve asked for. Although, I couldn’t find a quote because those lyrics are not quotable.
The production of this song is what really pushes it over the top. The whistles and the stomp-clap and the marching-band-type brass section? Utter perfection. It’s just such an enjoyable and hype song to listen to. This is the one song I’d tell anyone to listen to from the album, just for the pure experience of having heard it.
My rating for “Sticky” is 9/10, and I thank Tyler for dropping this one.
Track Nine: “Take Your Mask Off” (ft. Daniel Caesar & LaToiya Williams)
I love Daniel Caesar — let’s just make that clear right now. The production on this one feels super retro as well, especially in the chorus. It definitely brings me back to “Flower Boy.” The vocals and harmonies are so pretty and I love it all.
“Momma your first name, the last one got changed.”
Tyler, the Creator, “Take Your Mask Off”
It’s such a combination of calling people out for not living honestly and also seeing them for who they really are and accepting them. It’s sort of a really long, loving rant, and he’s saying something we all need to hear.
My rating for “Take Your Mask Off” is 8.5/10. It’s really vibey!
Track 10: “Tomorrow“
This one is lowkey a little devastating. I think anxiety about the future is something that we as college students can all relate to a little bit, and I definitely feel like this song is a mix of that anxiety and a little bit of acceptance that this moment we’re in right now is something we can’t change.
“Don’t you wait for me cause time got nothing right / I can’t worry bout tomorrow.”
Tyler, the Creator, “Tomorrow”
This sounds bad, but I mean it in a good way: my favorite part of this song is the end. The last maybe 45 seconds when the vocals fade out and it’s just an instrumental are just so pleasant. I love the way it’s so relaxed and ends the song on a little bit more of a peaceful high note after some of the lyrical heaviness.
My rating for “Tomorrow” is 8/10; it’s cool.
Track 11: “Thought I Was Dead” (ft. ScHoolboy Q & Santigold)
I can’t lie — this one doesn’t do it for me the way the other ones do. I do appreciate it, though. For me, it just feels mildly repetitive, so I’m not the biggest fan. The verses are fire, but the chorus definitely doesn’t measure up to them.
“Y’all wanna take what I got / But y’all do not got what it takes.”
Tyler, the Creator, “Thought I Was Dead”
The production is very cool. It feels like there’s a lot going on, but I do think that’s just the energy of the song, so it definitely works. The features are great, and they do add to the song, but I’m just a really big fan of songs with melodies, and this one doesn’t have a ton of it. If your vibe is more spoken-sounding and percussion-heavy music, this one is more your thing than mine.
My rating for “Thought I Was Dead” is 7/10.
Track 12: “Like Him” (ft. Lola Young)
This one is another one of those really beautifully vulnerable tracks on this record that I appreciate so much. The story of his mother making the choice to keep his father out of his life even though he wanted to know his son is so emotional, and I feel like that really comes out in the music. I love how this song, a lot like “I Killed You,” takes the listener on a journey from being so driven to find out more about his father and whether they look alike or have similar personalities to accepting that whether his father wanted to be in his life or not, it was Tyler’s mother who did raise him.
“I’m everything that I’ve strived to be / So do I look like him?”
Tyler, the Creator, “Like Him”
I’m a big appreciator of the use of silence in music, and this song definitely uses silence to its advantage. It has such a cool effect on the listening experience. I got into this one a lot more once it picked up around the one minute and 30 seconds mark, especially coming off of the “Thought I Was Dead” energy, but the softness and relaxed production of the intro definitely suits the song better than starting off at the level that it eventually builds to. The way that the music grows and picks up as it goes on definitely makes it more interesting than staying in the same place the whole time.
My rating for “Like Him” is 8.5/10, particularly because I really loved these lyrics.
Track 13: “Balloon” (ft. Doechii)
This one is almost as fun as “Sticky.” I’m so obsessed with the intro and the synth. Once the percussion and then the backing vocals come in, it just keeps building and building in such a satisfying way, and I’m a huge fan of every single aspect of this song. Also, Doechii on this feature was unreal. I loved how bright her voice was and how her energy matched the song’s and Tyler’s so well.
“I been flying high, where is the pavement?”
Tyler, the Creator, “Balloon”
At only two minutes and 34 seconds, I can’t find too much to say about this song. I just love it! It’s just so bubbly and loud and fun. It’s the perfect last second of brightness before the last track wraps the whole project up with a perfect bow.
My rating for “Balloon” is 9.5/10.
Track 14: “I Hope You Find Your Way Home“
This a cappella intro is so pretty. The whole song overall is a relaxing and beautiful way to end such a lyrically and sonically dense record. The spoken audio on this one ranks pretty high on my list out of all the songs on the album, and it’s such an emotional last word from Tyler’s mom. I love the lyrics in general, and I like the way it rises and falls as it goes on; there’s a lot to appreciate in this one.
“You could never moon walk in my Chuck Taylors.”
Tyler, the Creator, “I Hope You Find Your Way Home”
This final track really sums up so many different aspects of the songs before it, and I can’t say enough how perfectly it fits into the album’s story. I probably wouldn’t listen to it by itself, but I’m so glad it’s the final note of this project. It’s a really memorable ending.
My rating for “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” is 8/10.
I’m so grateful I’m a fan now so I could experience this album when it was first released!