CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale by Tyler, The Creator | Album Review
Tyler’s sixth studio album gets an update with 8 new songs
Listen to CMIYGL The Estate Sale: Apple Music | Spotify
Re-issues of albums labeled as the “deluxe” edition are not something I’m usually a fan of. For the most part, these re-releases offer nothing more than a handful of remixes or maybe a few new songs. I’ve always seen them as quick cash grabs to boost streaming numbers (looking at you Starboy Deluxe.). Surprisingly, however, I don’t feel the same sentiment with Tyler, The Creator’s updated release of CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST. His 2021 album gets a facelift with 8 new songs nearly 2 years after its original release.
The original CMIYGL saw Tyler return to his rap roots with a bold sense of swagger. His pen game was at its strongest here and I heralded it as the best album of 2021, you can read my full review of the original album here to see what I had to say.
In his words, Tyler announced the launch of The Estate Sale with this tweet last week:
Those familiar with Tyler’s music will know Tyler will rarely drop b-sides, let alone a whole EP worth of loosies. This collection of new songs exudes the same qualities and nuances found in the original CMIYGL that it made me wonder why a handful of these songs never made it off the cutting room floor. These new songs also came at the perfect time, with the release of Tyler’s next album to happen sometime this year. The Estate Sale acts as the perfect buffer between CMIYGL and his next future release.
Much like previous albums, The Estate Sale is all self-produced by Tyler himself. There is the exception of two songs on here though. “WHAT A DAY” and “HEAVEN TO ME” being produced by Madlib and Kanye West respectively. Having two of hip-hop’s coveted producers on what are essentially bonus tracks on an album is a huge feat in my eyes. The majority of The Estate Sale fits perfectly with the heavier hip-hop presence of CMIYGL.
There are heavy west-coast tinges on “STUNTMAN” and “BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND”. Songs like “DOGTOOTH” fit perfectly with themes of the vanilla CMIYGL with its aspects of romance. The guest features here too are also a welcome surprise. Coveted features from Vince Staples, YG, and A$AP Rocky are the main highlights here. The latter of which will certainly spark more rumors of the long-awaited WANG$AP collab between Tyler and Rocky.
Lyrically the subject matter is not too far removed from the musings of the original album. So naturally, expect to hear Tyler’s signature wordplay and wittiness throughout. The standout track on The Estate Sale that is worth mentioning is the closer “SORRY NOT SORRY”. On this track, Tyler apologizes to those around him. From his mother to his old friends from Odd Future, romantic partners, etc. He even pokes fun at fans who have dismissed him since he changed up his style (“Sorry to the fans who say I changed, ’cause I did. Sorry you don’t know me on a personal level to pinpoint what it is.”).
The crux of the song comes towards the end, where DJ Drama announces “I guarantee another era is upon us. So once again, we gone!” Effectively ending Tyler’s CMIYGL era. This is further signified by the song’s music video. In it, Tyler appears with other versions of himself, portraying each era from all 6 of his albums. A seventh persona of him appears and kills off the CMIYGL Tyler. It’s very apparent that this is Tyler teasing his next project which is slated to release this year.
Overall CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale is a full package that not only gives you another reason to listen to the album again but is a fine way to close out this era of Tyler, The Creator’s discography. As we approach the release of his upcoming 7th studio album, we can expect Tyler to start throwing tidbits here and there (as evident from the “SORRY NOT SORRY” video.).
I gave the original CMIYGL a 9/10, and with the addition of The Estate Sale, I’d still keep it as such. If anything it just makes this already stellar album just a bit more stellar.
Favourite Tracks: STUNTMAN, WHAT A DAY, HEAVEN TO ME, SORRY NOT SORRY.
