Tyler Gregory Okonma aka Tyler, The Creator released his long-awaited fifth studio album IGOR last friday. He, again, gave us a magnificent experimental album after his grammy nominated 2017 album, the amazing Flower Boy. The last one was highly appreciated, it received universal acclaim from critics and his fanbase. It was a perfect reflection of Tyler's insecurities about depression, loneliness, sexuality, love, friendship, materialism and fame. A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy, Kali Uchis and more contributed Flower Boy.
IGOR, on the other hand, has a much more energetic base than the previous albums, so it may have been a bit of a surprise for the audience, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. Though the album contains features from artists such as Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and and Playboi Carti, it is not a rap album at all. As a matter of fact, Tyler tweeted minutes before its release: "Don’t go into this expecting a rap album. Don’t go into this expecting an album. Just go, jump into it."
On A BOY IS A GUN, he used a sample from Ponderosa Twins Plus One's 1971 track "Bound". Tyler also helped to produce Kanye's 2013 track "Bound 2" back then using a sample from the exact song. Regarding Kanye's appearance in PUPPET, the 8th track of IGOR, it is safe to say that the two work in tandem with each other for a long time. NEW MAGIC WAND starting with, "Sometimes you gotta close a door to open a window." gives us the most significant clue about the whole album.
"IGOR. THIS IS NOT BASTARD. THIS IS NOT GOBLIN. THIS IS NOT WOLF. THIS IS NOT CHERRY BOMB. THIS IS NOT FLOWER BOY. THIS IS IGOR." stated the artist on a visual he shared on Twitter. IGOR is not the follow-up album; it is one hell of a new revolution. Indeed, the album has no genre. It is so hard to name it. One thing I know is that it is a 39 minutes of mind trip which you do not know where it will take you. Plus, we are probably going to love everything he brings out because you know, he is Tyler. How can you not love this guy. Well, unless you're Theresa May. The artist was stopped from the entering the UK in 2015 by then home secretary Theresa May after claims his lyrics are too offensive. I think it's so funny.
Ahh EARFQUAKE. What a good track. Its sweet sadness stimulates emotions and then breaks your heart again and again. Somebody I do not remember who once said "Tyler is the king of unrequited love songs" and I felt that. The second verse hits me as hard as it possibly could.
'Cause you make my earth quake
I don't want no confrontation, no
You don't want my conversation
I just need some confirmation on how you feel
You don't want no complication, no
I don't want no side 'formation
I don't even know about that 'cause I'm for real
By the way, is it so strange that this track reminds me of Frank Ocean's Pyramids? Since the two are best buddies for years, this layering and the piano chords in EARFQUAKE are seemingly inspired by Frank. Yet so unique, so good. Dev Hynes aka Blood Orange, Charlie Wilson and the one and only Playboi Carti collaborated for EARFQUAKE.
“I like getting lost, I like that shit. Exploring, makin’ a left turn.” Tyler told Mark Wilson from Fast Company magazine.
It's a perfect one to get lost. What more a track can give you? Just go and listen.
Lyrics:
[Intro: Tyler, The Creator & Playboi Carti]
For real, for real this time
For real, for real, for real this time
Bitch, I cannot fall short
For real, for real, for real this time (Yeah yeah)
For real, for real, for real this time
[Chorus: Dev Hynes]
'Cause you make my earth quake, oh, you make my earth quake
Riding around, your love is shakin’ me up and it's making my heart break
'Cause you make my earth quake, oh, you make my earth quake (Earthquake, ooh)
Riding around, your love is shakin’ me up and it's making my heart break
[Bridge: Dev Hynes & Charlie Wilson]
Don't leave, it's my fault
Don't leave, it's my fault
Don't leave, it's my fault (Yeah)
’Cause when it all comes crashing down I’ll need you
[Chorus: Dev Hynes, Tyler, the Creator & (Charlie Wilson)]
'Cause you make my earth quake, oh, you make my earth quake
Riding around, you’re telling me something is bad and it's making my heart break
'Cause you make my earth quake, oh, you make my earth quake (Earth quake, yeah)
Riding around, your love is shakin' me up and it’s making my heart break (You already know)
[Verse 1: Playboi Carti]
Ain't got body roll (Hol' up)
Don't give a fuck 'bout nun' (Hol' up)
Ayo fuck my lungs (Hol' up)
Now I might call my lawyer (Hol' up)
Plug gon' set me up (Hol' up)
Bih, don't set me up (Okay)
I'm with Tyler, yuh (Slime)
He ride like the car (Hol' up)
And she wicked (Hol' up, yuh)
Like Woah Vicky (Hol' up, yuh)
Oh my god (Hol' up, um)
Diamonds not Tiffany (Hol' up, yuh)
So in love
So in love
[Bridge: Dev Hynes, Tyler, the Creator & (Charlie Wilson)]
Don't leave, it's my fault (Fault)
Don't leave, it's my fault
Don't leave, it's my fault
'Cause when it all comes crashing down I'll need you
[Verse 2: Tyler, The Creator, Dev Hynes, & (Charlie Wilson)]
'Cause you make my earth quake
I don't want no confrontation, no
You don't want my conversation (I don't want no conversation)
I just need some confirmation on how you feel (For real)
You don't want no complication, no
I don't want no side 'formation (I don't want no side 'formation)
I don't even know about that 'cause I'm for real (For real)
[Outro: Tyler, the Creator & (Charlie Wilson)]
I said don't leave, it's my fault (Come on)
I said don't leave, it's my fault (Two, two)
Don't leave, its, it's my fault girl (One, two, three)
Don't, do-do-do-do-do, I need-
You can learn more about Tyler, The Creator here:
About The Curator - Mert Turan
I was born on the day "Evil Empire" album by Rage Against the Machine was released and I brought those lucky bastards 3 Grammy nominations. I live in Ankara, Turkey and study Philosophy at Middle East Technical University. I have worked professionally in the music industry for more than 4 years, specializing in studio recording, sound editing and mixing. I previously worked for musicto both as an intern and a curator. During my internship with musicto I gained valuable experience on the music business, social media and community management. I love being a part of this community.