“Chromakopia” Album Review

Lauren Sellman, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Tyler The Creator’s New Album “Chromakopia”. Photo//HypeBeast, Columbia Records.

Tyler the Creator has dropped a highly anticipated new album, Chromakopia on Monday, October 28th. 

Although most artists tend to release albums on Fridays before the weekend, Tyler intentionally dropped on a Monday at 3 am. He hopes this encourages people to take the time to sit and listen to the album on the commute to school or work to appreciate it deeply and entirely. 

Despite Tweeting throughout October that there would be no features, the album includes iconic artists such as Childish Gambino, Daniel Cesar, Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Doechii, and Schoolboy Q. 

Chromakopia focuses on heavy experiences, often featuring the voice of Bonita Smith, Tyler’s mother, offering advice, reflecting a recent shift to concerns of adulthood. His mother's voice adds an incredibly personal insight into these experiences, guiding the listener through the album with tear-jerking encouragement. 

“St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Cesar)” opens with his mother's stern voice saying, “You are the light. It’s not on you, it's in you. Don’t you ever in your m***** f****** life, dim your light for nobody.” The song is a perfect introduction to the album that sets up the audience for the emotional rollercoaster of Chromakopia. Tylers whisper raps to Daniel Cesar's background vocals in a personal and beat-heavy mix that prepares the listener for the following more upbeat songs. 

The next song on the album, “Rah Tah Tah” transitions into track 3, “Noid” in a smooth flow that keeps the listener's attention and makes the introduction feel like the climax of a longer song. Noid was released as a single on October 21, 2024, teasing the album drop just days later. 

“Rah Tah Tah”, “Sticky”, and, “Thought I was Dead (feat. Schoolboy Q)” are the most aggro rap beats, otherwise the album heavily draws from R&B, hip hop, and modern jazz elements. 

“Sticky (feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red, & Lil Wayne)” is a head-bopping hype-up song where my only complaint is that I wish it were longer. Each verse is unique and hits every beat in an undeniably satisfying way. 

“Like Him (feat. Lola Young)” is a refreshing turn of events for fans well-versed in Tyler’s lore. Despite notoriously ridiculing his absent father throughout previous albums, this song reveals his mother's perspective of seeing his father in Tyler’s appearance and personality. She explains their relationship and the truth behind his absence. The track is emotional, allowing the pain and guilt to come through in both Tyler's and his mother's voices.  

This is his first new album dropped since his expansion of Call Me If You Get Lost released earlier this year. 

Tyler breaks unconventional norms through his music and artistic approach to human expression. His mind is a look into the future of blending genres and his music stands as an inspirational resource of vulnerability and self-recognition that fans can potentially relate to.