5/18/19
11:37 PM
"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."
Yeah, okay, Tyler.
Tyler, the Creator gives us an introspect to yet another one of his personalities— this time, specifically, IGOR.
As the LA producer-rapper continues to make music, it’s been a journey that encompasses weird, euphoric, and upsetting moments. From Tyler’s straight-forward “I don’t care what you think” attitude, to the soft spoken and candid moments in his musical career, the young artist has grown up a good amount in his own right.
Turning from the volatile and vain outlook of his music into more tame and enamoring content, Tyler’s IGOR was something that he himself wanted the listener to become intimate with, in hopes that they listen in its entirety with undivided attention, forming their own interpretation of the album. However, the overarching theme and sequence of this album is an episode of falling in love, engaging into a relationship, falling out of love, and then trying to maintain a level of friendship after the fact. The narration by comedian Jerrod Carmichael in between songs add a nice subtlety, helping listeners get a more in-depth idea of what Tyler is trying to convey through the process.
-
Musically, this album is a mess. The album isn’t really rap, or soul, or limited to one genre, but rather an experimental album with plenty of samples from various fields with many features from artists like Kanye, CeeLo, and A$AP Rocky. The main source the sound makeup is composed of the heavy usage of synths, and waves, as well as using loops that give off a hypnotic and grungy feel to the music; topped off with an array of pitch tuned vocals, this album becomes equipped with a new wave vibe to it. The synths and waves themselves help create a love filled atmosphere on some tracks, mixed with the rough, hard, and noisey qualities of the album give IGOR a unique design, giving the work itself a fulfilling re-listen value.
I would probably have to say the most impressive part about this album and and Tyler’s production end is that while the album does include a lot of irregular and dense elements, the transition to the more soulful and charming sounds are not at all sudden, or questionable. The production of IGOR doesn’t seem choppy or out of place, but rather in its full blown chaos, seems perfectly attuned and planned out. The cohesion of the two stark types of beats are marked by their interesting rhythms and modes, and creates for a very direct, yet delicate unison between dark and whimsically pleasant.
Listen to the Album below: