Igor’s Love Triangle
In 2011 Tyler Creator made himself known from one of the most polarizing upcoming artists with the release of “Yonkers”. This song went viral online and basically took the world by storm. From this song, Tyler was perceived as a DIY rapper with shocking, dark, and moody lyrics from Los Angeles, California. Back when Tyler was the front runner and creator of the rap/skate collective Odd Future. Odd Future was a collective of artist from a mixed background which included; Frank Ocean, Syd the Kid, Earl Sweatshirt, and Domo Genesis, etc. Odd Future changed hip hop with the unorthodox approach to music and business. The group rise in fashion and music had teenagers all alike wearing the group clothing company merch just about everywhere. Golf Wang signature design style was bright and vibrant prints with the iconic donuts and cats. Odd Future did everything against the grain of other artists coming up around the same time.
Earlier in Tyler’s career, his music was labeled as shock value and horrorcore. His albums had lyrics about murder, rape, and abduction and just about anything that scared the masses of music fans. His lyrics were perceived so aggressive and deranged he was banned from the UK.
The 2017 release, Flower Boy proved to be his most personal album to date. This album has Tyler opening up about his relationship with fame and his identity. This album gives his audience a new introduction to Tyler and became acclaimed by critics and listeners.
In his latest release, IGOR Tyler creates the character to Igor to explore the ups and downs of love. This album has Tyler uses more melody and singing than any of his past projects. In IGOR, Tyler uses this character to express the duality in the relationship that seems to be falling apart. In IGOR, Tyler receives help from Kanye West, Pharrell, Kali Uchis, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti to name a few. Tyler uses his features in multiple facets as an instrument, ab-libs, background vocals.
IGOR can be split into three parts. The album starts with the bass-heavy “IGOR’s Theme”, giving a recurring base that will be used throughout the album. Audio from Jerrod Carmichael’s interview with Tyler about Flower Boy is used to set up the love story presented in the album. Jerrod’s audio splits the album into parts that starts with infatuation that leads to the demise of the relationship.
Production-wise Tyler takes inspiration from his artist like Pharrell and Kanye who are las featured on the album. Compared to other albums Tyler leans more on lush and orchestral production to progress the love story. This album feels like a creative album he wanted to make before Cherry Bomb. Tyler shares a rocky relationship when stuck in a love triangle with a partner. Songs express a one-sided relationship with Tyler being the odd one out. His lovers have a girlfriend and don’t seem ready to fully commit to Tyler. This finally leads to Tyler giving up on him but still yearning any time of friendship by the end.
My favorite songs from this project are “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS”,” PUPPET”, “NEW MAGIC WAND”. “NEW MAGIC WAND” comes at one of the major turning points of the album. At this point in the album, Tyler is frustrated with his lover’s girlfriend’s in the way. His anger builds throughout the song and he threatens to get her out is the frame. On “PUPPET” Tyler is realizing how love is controlling. In his verses, he switches between giving more to much attention and almost giving up completely. “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS” is the perfect closing track for this roller coaster of feeling Tyler takes us on. Even after all the ups of downs of having feelings for a person that didn’t feel the same he begs for friendship. Over a production that sounds like a classic 80s Soul and R&B beats creates one of the most impressive closers from any of his projects.
