With his eighth studio album, Tyler, the Creator continues his evolution as one of hip-hop’s most daring artists. Tyler has always thrived on contradiction - mixing humour with vulnerability, and aggression with introspection, but Chromakopia feels like the culmination of everything he’s learned, fused into an unfiltered exploration of his psyche. While many superstar rappers lean heavily on bravado, Tyler balances this with admissions of his flaws, anxieties, and self-doubt, making him one of the most human voices in modern hip-hop. Sonically, the album draws from jazz, soul, and moments of cartoonish warbling brass sections, making every track unpredictable, colourful, and chaotic. On “Balloon”, the chemistry between Tyler and Doechii is electric, feeling like an all-out celebration. While vulnerability in front of millions might seem contradictory, he pulls it off with sharp and consistently hilarious humour. His charisma carries it all - he’s having fun even when confronting very uncomfortable truths.
Emerging as an intimidating figure in Odd Future’s early days, Tyler’s willingness to laugh at himself, to embrace absurdity, and to poke fun at the world around him is a joy to listen to. The album radiates a sense of ease and confidence, as though Tyler knows exactly what he’s doing - even when he says he doesn’t. There’s a staggering amount crammed into this hour - a bold declaration of his ability to juggle humour, vulnerability, and creativity on a massive scale.