After promising no new music in 2024, Tyler, The Creator released a teaser for his new album “CHROMAKOPIA” on October 16, 2024. One day later, Tyler announced the album would be released on October 28. This is Tyler’s 8th studio album and is a massive change in style following the previous rap-heavy album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”

Experimental seems to be the theme of “CHROMAKOPIA.” Many of the tracks feel different from anything seen from Tyler previously and display his creativity as an artist. Tyler explores new sounds, which can be heard in the rock-focused track “Noid” and the indie-rock track “Tomorrow.” 

Even with all the experimentation, Tyler goes back to some of his old sounds and expands on them with tracks like “Darling, I” which feels like a song from “IGOR” and “Take Your Mask Off” resembles some aspects from “Flower Boy.” The way Tyler is able to use and mix old album themes with the new themes in “CHROMAKOPIA” shows off his strengths in creating music. 

The record is well produced, which is something to expect from Tyler such as on songs like “St. Chroma” and “Like Him.” These tracks use synthesizers to enhance the track and give it a nice cherry on top to the already hit tracks. The more rap heavy tracks “Rah Tah Tah,” “Sticky,” and “Thought I Was Dead” have beats that are unique and give it a hype feel that elevates the tracks.

From a lyrical standpoint, this is Tyler’s strongest album. He talks about his personal experiences and his fears of love, fame and relationships as he gets older. These hard-hitting lyrics and themes are expressed in songs like “Noid,” “Like Him,” “Tomorrow,” and “Take Your Mask Off.” 

This album is a big step forward for Tyler as an artist, even if this isn’t his greatest or strongest album compared to others. What “CHROMAKOPIA” does for Tyler is similar to what “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” did for Kendrick Lamar in being his most personal album and defines who he is as an artist and a person. 

“CHROMAKOPIA” is definitely worth listening to if you haven’t already. It injects a unique freshness into the music scene and something Tyler, The Creator fans will enjoy even if, as an album under Tyler standards, it is average.