Rating: 4.8/5

Meet Saint Chroma, a masked man who directs you into a shipping container mere moments before it blows up. His character is puzzling and uncanny, a great new addition to the rapper Tyler, the Creator’s collection of alter egos. Fans familiar with Tyler’s discography know of his use of fictional characters to elaborate on past family trauma. Tyler’s popularity as a two-time Grammy winner mainly stems from his vivid ability to depict the complexities of toxic relationships using his alter egos, successfully leaving listeners with a sweet, melancholic feeling.

On Oct. 28, three years after the release of his last album, Tyler, the Creator released “Chromakopia,” through Columbia Records. As expected, Tyler attained his third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, reaching the sixth-largest debut of 2024. Out of all his accomplished albums, “Chromakopia” stands out to me through its poetic lyrics, soulful vocals and dynamic instrumentals. Produced by Tyler himself, the album has an incredibly well-rounded theme of the paranoia that comes with fame and adulthood.

The creativity and depth of the lyrics are essential aspects of “Chromakopia,” as they create a vibrant narrative for the listener to envision. The song “Hey Jane” depicts how an unexpected pregnancy can create internal turmoil between wanting freedom and craving love. The lyrics cultivate a nervous but playful energy, especially in the line, “Hey T, your legs long and your waist thin / And we can both relate to the fact we got great skin.” The frisky line illustrates the friendship that Tyler and his partner Jane desperately try to maintain, even through the trauma and fear of raising a child. However, the song includes a solemn end with the line, “I’m feelin’ the resentment every time you get near me / My body has a clock, and I don’t know where the end be.” This lyric raises the serious issue of women running out of time to find a trusting partner to start a family with.

Moreover, I particularly enjoyed the expressive vocals from Tyler and his many featured artists. “Like Him” resonated with me, as Tyler and English singer Lola Young worked together to produce a somber but smooth harmony. This effect is especially prominent in the lines “Mama, I’m chasing a ghost / Do I look / Like him,” as the producers worked together to layer voices of both feminine and masculine tones. Tyler’s voice contains a lot of sorrow, as the song is about his realization of the physical and mental traits that connect him to his absent father. Throughout the song, I also noticed great suspense and build-up in the vocals, from a soft hum to an erratic scream towards the end.

“Sticky” is a great example of the stimulating instrumentals and sound effects in “Chromakopia.” The song hooks listeners in with catchy whistling and chanting at the start, subtly hyping up the three featured artists: Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red and GloRilla. Additionally, “Sticky” is a great hit in the marching band community, as it can be played with a great range of drums, tuba and saxophones. The loud and energizing instrumentals are crucial in this song, as they juxtapose greatly against the mournful tone of the album. On social media apps like TikTok, fans started to make dynamic dances with sharp movements to carefully match the rhythm of the song.

Overall, I rate “Chromakopia” 4.8/5 stars, as it uses a great spectrum of artistic techniques, from clever lyrics to unsurpassable vocals to invigorating instrumentals.