- Love and sexuality has always been an awkward topic for Tyler, The Creator. While earlier projects brought a wave of controversy down on the rapper, due to their frankly apathetic depictions of misogyny and homophobia, 2017’s neo-soul/rap infused Flower Boy showed a step forward, toward maturity and also a new side to Tyler. His lyrics painted a vision of someone trapped, unable to ever fully come out, for fear of those around him, sparking discussions over his homosexuality. This ambiguous depiction ofsexuality continues in Tyler’s latest effort, Igor. Combining the neosoul synth sound of his previous record with the lo-fi production style of 2015’s Cherry Bomb, Igor embraces Tyler’s past as a musician and births something unique from it.
From the opening track, Igor’s Theme, the album let's the listener know it's here with distorted synths and pounding drums, as well as declimations from Tyler and guest vocalist Lil Uzi Vert about how “He’s coming” and “They gon’ feel this one.” The big single, Earfquake, is where the narrative of Igor begins to take shape: the lyrics focusing on a love interest Tyler begs not to leave, blaming himself for the issues they have. With West Coast inspired synth chords and production reminiscent of cuts from Tyler’s favourite band N.E.R.D’s last record, Earfquake features one of the catchiest choruses of the year so far as well as a great verse from Playboi Carti. It's an overall highlight in the track list.
Following the love-struck I Think -a song impossible not to dance to- and the urgent melody Running Out of Time, Tyler strikes hard with the heavy bass distortion of New Magic Wand. Jealously pining over his love, the rapper aims to get rid of an interloping girl, claiming “I need to get her out the way…. She’s not developed like we are.” The cut was already tense before the intrusion of the rival lover, who only amplifies Tyler’s anxiety. It builds to a powerful, if not psychotic climax, foutaining pleas, promises and threats of what he'll do, including killing them both.
If you needed more of a hint, the smoking pistol of Tyler’s sexuality comes in A Boy Is A Gun, accusing his partner of hiding their true self from the world and wishing for them to make up their mind. The song is mellow, featuring sweeping pianos and chipmunk soul vocals reminiscent of a Kanye West joint and forshadows Ye himself, appearing on the next track, Puppet.
After all the denial, it's the six minute Gone,Gone/Thank You, a two part track, in which Tyler finally accepts the loss of his love. It's a beautiful culmination of bliss production, highlighting the rapper’s combination of singing and rapping to full effect. This track is bittersweetly gorgeous as well as one of the best in Tyler’s catalogue to date.
Igor is a masterwork of emotions, drenched in neo-soul and manages to capture a full narrative of a heartbroken man in under forty minutes. Despite featuring very little rapping, the project is still able to show the full talents of an unlikely voice of his generation, in his prime.
- James Chadwick.