A new addition to the ACC Chronicle has arrived: RADAR! RADAR is the Chronicle’s music review series dedicated to shining a spotlight on new or lesser-known music releases. Cara Sutton can and will listen to anything, then analyze the tracks, and share her thoughts. What are some songs or artists you want to see featured on RADAR? Let us know!
RADAR – CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator
On October 16th, 2024, CHROMAKOPIA was announced as the newest studio album for Grammy-winning artist Tyler Okonma, professionally known as Tyler, The Creator. CHROMAKOPIA is the rapper’s first full-length album since 2021’s Call Me If You Get Lost. This is the artist’s 7th album. Now that CHROMAKOPIA has released, I’m here to give you the breakdown of the album and put it on your radar.
Tracklist:
- St. Chroma (Ft. Daniel Caesar)
- Rah Tah Tah
- Noid
- Darling, I (Ft. Teezo Touchdown)
- Hey Jane
- I Killed You
- Judge Judy
- Sticky (Ft. GloRilla, Lil Wayne, & Sexyy Red)
- Take Your Mask Off (Ft. Daniel Caesar & LaToiya Williams)
- Tomorrow
- Thought I Was Dead (Ft. ScHoolboy Q & Santigold)
- Like Him (Ft. Lola Young)
- Balloon (Ft. Doechii)
- I Hope You Find Your Way Home
My Picks
Three Standout Tracks: Noid, Hey Jane, Take Your Mask Off
Favorite Lyric: “Why I work so hard? My soul profit.
Why I can’t settle down? I like options.
Why I hate small talk? I like topics.” – Balloon, 0:26
Least Favorite Track: Judge Judy
Best Feature: Teezo Touchdown, Darling, I
Best Storytelling: Hey Jane
Best Instrumentation: Noid
What is CHROMAKOPIA about?
CHROMAKOPIA dives into many aspects of identity through an almost passive aggressive tone. Tyler, The Creator explores an ego and stands his ground on tracks like Thought I Was Dead, but also criticizes himself and shows his perfectionist side on songs like Take Your Mask Off. The album tackles Tyler’s struggle with parenthood, telling a story about an unwanted pregnancy from both perspectives in Hey Jane.
The theme of fatherhood continues through the album, coming to a climax in Like Him. It’s an emotional track where Tyler reminisces about his father and the relationship that the two didn’t have. This progression of topics is incredibly effective, and it works to make these more vulnerable moments even more special.
There are many more themes to discover within CHROMAKOPIA, but I encourage you to listen and find them for yourself if interested. I promise the music is well worth the listen.
Important aspects of CHROMAKOPIA
Tyler’s look is very consistent throughout the album’s visual media, he is portrayed in black and white with a mask covering his whole face with two holes for his eyes. Many fans speculate that his character is an allusion to Chroma the Great from The Phantom Tollbooth, an orchestra conductor whose music puts color into the world.
In my opinion, the genius of CHROMAKOPIA is in its framing device. On nearly every song there is narration from Tyler’s mother, Bonita Smith. She speaks to Tyler, giving him advice with occasional vulnerability. These moments feel like a reflection on how Tyler’s mother influenced him and, on-theme with the album, his identity.
Summary
CHROMAKOPIA is a very effective album. It’s a showcase of Tyler, The Creator’s years of honing his talent. It’s reflective, empowering, and vulnerable all at the same time. CHROMAKOPIA covers a range of topics, all with Tyler’s iconic sense of humor, however, in this album the listener can really feel how much he has matured. This album feels like an all-out exposition of Tyler’s creativity and skill, while also showing off the strength of his character. I cannot recommend CHROMAKOPIA enough. It is a fantastic record, so please consider giving it a listen.
