Tyler Creates a Hit

Sura Kiasatpour • January 15, 2025

Popular artists often receive an overwhelming amount of criticism after releasing new music, finding it difficult to satisfy the expectations of a larger, more diverse audience — the phrase “I miss the old [insert artist]’s songs” is a common one among big names in the music industry. The reality, though, is that these fan bases are merely attaching these older albums to the time period that they were released in; they may just be associating positive memories from that moment in their lives when those songs were relevant, rather than truly judging the artist’s craft. This is the exact case surrounding Tyler the Creator’s new album, “CHROMAKOPIA,” with fans bad-mouthing the project solely due to the sense of nostalgia they feel for his older work. Despite this debate, the album is largely strong due to its profound lyricism and storytelling, though there are a few skips.

“CHROMAKOPIA” is a matured version of Tyler the Creator’s old music, staying true to his classic sound and style, but also adding new elements for listeners. Tyler creates a new persona in the album, St. Chroma, making the listening experience cinematic as listeners are taken through his life story. Featured voice notes from his mother on “St. Chroma,” and “Darling, I” add an intimate layer to the project and build the story further. The electricity of songs like “Balloon,” accompanied by the album’s blend of hip-hop, R&B and jazz, make the album truly eclectic, appealing to both old and new listeners alike. Sophomore and longtime fan Ezinne Oduoza also enjoyed the new sound of the album.

“Tyler the Creator’s [‘CHROMAKOPIA’] feels [more] refined than his older [albums] like Goblin,” Oduoza said. “He’s still [experimenting], but there’s a difference in how he blends the chaos with smooth, emotional moments. The whole album is insane, and [I say this] not just [as a fan of his] — objectively, it’s beautiful. The production, the transitions and the way each song feels is intentional; it’s clear Tyler put his all into it.”

Tyler deliberately chose to release the album on Oct. 28, a Monday, with not too much time between the announcement and the release. His intent was to generate more listeners, as he felt that people were more likely to listen to an album on their commute to work or to school on a weekday morning, rather than a Friday night filled with plans (Complex). In another attempt to generate more traction, Tyler held a listening party the night before the release in Los Angeles, charging only $5 per ticket, which is admirable (Los Angeles Times). This casual event was very accessible to fans and gave them a taste of the album building up more anticipation and excitement for the release. Senior Abby Scotto had the opportunity to go to the listening party with friends and had a great time.

“Tyler the Creator’s listening party was an amazing experience for me,” Scotto said. “Hearing the album for the first time gave me a deeper connection with it now, [as I can] remember [my] first listen. Also, Tyler created [a] surreal atmosphere with the lights and sounds surrounding the stadium which made the entire experience even better.”

Despite the discourse surrounding the album, there are still new fan favorites arising from “CHROMAKOPIA.” “Darling, I,” and “Hey Jane,” are both songs that are universally liked due to their similar sound to older tracks. The various parallels in lyricism to his old work in “Judge Judy” is also a fun element to appreciate, adding more depth and a nostalgic aspect for longtime fans. Senior Cameron Bobich agrees, finding it to be a good listen, although it hasn't replaced his previous favorites.

“I would rate ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ a solid 8/10,” Bobich said. “As a person who loves diving into music deeply, [the] lyrics and meaning of a song are just as important as [its] beats and sound. While I thoroughly enjoyed the album, I can't relate to it as much as other albums, like ‘IGOR.’ This doesn’t take anything away from the quality of the album, it just doesn't connect personally with me well enough to have as much ‘replay value’ as his other albums.”

Overall, the album was an enjoyable one; the innovative mixing of new sounds with his nostalgic, older style feels authentic to his artistry and makes for a pleasant listen. The features on the album are hard-hitters, too: Childish Gambino provides glossy backing vocals in “I Killed You” and “Judge Judy,” and Daniel Caesar’s angelic voice spills through in the opener, “St. Chroma.” Though the album won’t be quick to surpass “Wolf” or “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” — there's not much of a drastic stylistic change between this album and his previous ones — Tyler’s storytelling truly shines through, and his lyricism in the project is excellent as ever. If anything, the project feels like a more refined, production-focused version of his sound, which is evident in songs like “Balloon,” which features a playful, yet calculated rhythm. That sound breaks even, though: calmer tracks like “Hey Jane” provide a feeling of consistency amid his experimental sound. This balance is what makes Tyler’s albums so easy to appreciate, as there’s something for everyone, making this album just as impressive as some of his earlier releases.