3 weeks ago
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Early Monday morning, Tyler, the Creator opened the proverbial doors to his newest universe, Chromakopia.
At multiple points across the 53-minute album, Tyler takes an introspective look at the inherent (but totally worth it) sacrifices of truly living an art-first lifestyle. Tyler, now 33, spoke a bit about the inspiration behind this perspective during a Chromakopia listening experience in Inglewood, pointing to “a bunch of shit my mom told me as a kid” as integral to this current chapter.
“Now that I’m 33, all of that stuff is like, oh, that’s what the fuck she was talking about,” Tyler said at his Intuit Dome event. “Oh, I’m not the guy that I was at 20. Like, oh shit. People are getting older. Folks are having kids and families and all got is a new Ferrari. It does feel kind of weird. I’m gaining weight. I got a gray hair on my chest. Life is life-ing.”
The relentless life-ing of life, specifically from the perspective of someone whose artistic dreams continue to come true, takes center stage in the Teezo Touchdown-featuring “Darling, I.” In the track, Tyler underscores the unmatched joy and fulfillment he gets from the creative process, noting that, as anyone who’s felt the same can attest, there is nothing that can rival this.
Reflections on the improbability of monogamy in “Darling, I” begin with Tyler pointing out how each car in his collection gives him something unique, leading to them each having their season. Naturally, this is extrapolated to love and relationships, with Tyler questioning the pressures often put on these pursuits.
See, monogamy, that shit is not for me
One option for everybody? Don’t you lie to me
Too many grooves, I’m too curious to try to be
Hidin' things, feelin’ shame put inside of me
'Cause honestly, T is not perfect
So how can I get everything from one person?
From there, Tyler re-emphasizes an observation from the track’s chorus (“life is short but forever is so goddamn long”) before conceding to the futility an artist can often feel like they’re faced with when it comes to interpersonal matters.
But when that gray hair finally come
At least I felt somethin' if I ain't find the one
Nobody can fulfill me like this music shit does
So I'll be lonely with these Grammys when it's all said and done
These topics are broached elsewhere on Chromakopia, which is out now and will soon be commemorated with a world tour, including on “Tomorrow.” That song opens with one of the most vidid lyrics on the album, and no doubt one of the finest of the year, “My mother’s hands don’t look the same.”
English (US) ·