After a three year hiatus, Tyler The Creator dropped his seventh studio album on October 28 entitled CHROMAKOPIA, delving into his personal identity and the shifts that have occurred since progressing into his thirties. 

The title, “Chromakopia,” is thought to be a reference to the character Chroma the Great in the book “The Phantom Tollbooth,” by Norton Juster. Chroma’s role in the book is to conduct an orchestra and bring color into the world around him. Tyler’s music embodies this character in the title track, “St. Chroma” (feat. Daniel Taylor) with its repetitive marching regiment interrupted by Tyler’s soft rapping contrasting between the dark and light. As the song progresses he grapples with whether or not his success is warranted, making for a relatable interpretation, as many people struggle with imposter syndrome. 

Other songs, like “Hey Jane,” serve to offer a male perspective on songs like Charli XCX’s “I think about it all the time.” Both center around parenthood and its drastic impact on one’s career and personal life. The song, structured in the form of a letter between Tyler and one of his partners, allows listeners insight into his fears of raising a child and recreating the childhood he lived without a father. The song ends with what can be interpreted as Jane’s response to Tyler’s letter where she too shares his uncertainty about the future, while providing comfort to his inner child. 

Themes of fatherhood continue throughout the album, specifically in track 12, entitled “Like Him” (feat. Lola Young) where Tyler provides a retrospective look into his own childhood without a father figure. He unpacks the identity crisis that has accompanied him all through growing up repeating the phrase “Do I look like him?” referring to his fathers fleeting image. “Like Him” is one of many songs referring to his father, but unlike others, it encompasses his own emotional growth and maturity throughout the years.

Tyler’s mother, Bonita Smith, who first appeared on his 2021 Grammy winning album “Call me if you get lost” is featured on both the intro and outro of this song. Her verses uncover the many nuances in adult relationships that are often unaware to children stuck in the middle of their parents’ fights.

Smith doesn’t just appear on one song but acts as a narrator across the whole album. Her verses are in the form of speeches or advice towards her son which act as an anchor for the whole body of work. 

The use of Smith’s snippets and seamless transitions between most of the songs made my first listening experience feel like a personal concert. Each song expanded upon the ideas and melodies of the one before it, while not getting boring and too repetitive. 

Beyond the scope of fatherhood, other songs like “Darling I” and “Judge Judy” touch on his concerns about monogamous relationships, and how that may be perceived by the outside world. The play on words in “Judge Judy” not only reference the iconic court TV show, but also provide social commentary on the constant control and oppression of women that he does not condone.

Out of the entire discography, the one that I most resonated with was track 9 “Take the Mask Off” which dealt with the multiple masks people wear to conceal parts of themselves that do not conform to the world’s expectations. It primarily centered around the detrimental effects that hiding your sexuality has on those around you, a sharp contrast from his previous works which have had an unintended homophobic perception. 

This album stood out to me for its ability to stay true to Tyler’s previous style while also touching on new themes previously ignored in his work. It reflected his emotional and mental maturity, peeling back many of the walls separating the fan and creator. 

Most albums tend to either be lyrically dense, or more reliant on the instrumental background. This album without a doubt falls on the lyrical side, and may be under appreciated by those who don’t take the time to really explore its multifaceted meanings. If you are looking for a beat to dance to, Chromakopia is definitely not it. With that being said, I still urge everyone to take a step back and truly comprehend the depths it explores.