Tyler Okonma—artist name Tyler, the Creator—has never failed to remain true to himself, keeping his musical and personal values strong regardless of what is ‘popular’ at the time. His seventh studio album Chromakopia is yet another example of that, showcasing both his growth and versatility as an artist while still remaining fully authentic.
The rollout for this album started when Okonma posted a snippet of a song and music video on his Instagram and YouTube accounts, followed by the official album announcement a day later. The snippet immediately went viral amongst fans who were excited for new music and shocked that he broke his previous trend of dropping an album every 2 years (his last full project being Call Me If You Get Lost in 2021). It also prompted speculation about potential featured artists on the album, with many claiming that they heard Frank Ocean’s vocals in the background of the chorus. When the album finally dropped, this song ended up being the opening track titled “St. Chroma,” and though it did not end up featuring Ocean, Daniel Caesar’s vocals were featured and well-received by listeners.
Caesar was just one of many notable features throughout this star-studded album. For instance, Teezo Touchdown’s unique vocals dance around “Darling, I,” adding a perfect final touch to the song. There were some notable instrumental features as well, with Steve Lacy playing guitar and ThunderCat playing bass on “Judge Judy.” On “Balloon,” Doechii provides a stand-out verse where it’s clear that she’s having a good time. She energetically raps over a whimsical beat, creating one of the most talked about moments on the album and launching her further into the public spotlight.
Furthermore, one of the most memorable songs on the album, “Sticky,”features GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne, and background vocals by Solange. The best word to describe this song is fun; the HBCU marching band-inspired production and the girls repeatedly chanting “It’s getting sticky,” coupled with solid verses from every artist makes for a fun and unforgettable listen.
There have been many conversations around what the best song on the album is, Junior Lucky Emmou said, “ Definitely ‘Like Him.’”
“Like Him” is definitely the stand-out track on the album. It is a raw and vulnerable exploration of his relationship with his father, something that has come up since Okonma first started making music. His vocals, paired with those of English singer-songwriter Lola Young’s, communicate pure emotion in the bridge and final chorus that hit hard. The final message from his mother at the end makes the song even more personal and impactful. Finally, the song’s production is arguably the best on the entire album, reinforcing and heightening the emotional impact the song has.
This album is a rollercoaster of a listen, containing 14 tracks that range from catchy hooks over bubbly beats, to introspective reflections on personal and familial issues. Okonma showcases his range of musical talents, with tracks demonstrating his singing ability calling back to his 2019 album Igor, and other raw songs that feel like more polished versions of something that would be found on his sophomore album Wolf.
Okonma is also heavily involved in the production of each song, from the synth that floats over the beats to the unique and carefully picked samples. He doesn’t skip out on songwriting either, writing heavy, emotional tracks, with themes of romance, aging and more. These tracks are perfectly padded by his surreal production that make the album accessible but also highly impactful. Chromakopia feels like a perfect culmination of the skills Tyler, the Creator has been building up for his entire career.
