Igor: A Tapestry of Emotions
One album usually falls under a single musical genre, but Tyler, the Creator’s Igor is challenging to tie to a category, even for the biggest tune junkies.
Hauling in Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy’s, Igor defies the barriers of what’s seen as rap and masculine music; Tyler gets catchy yet meaningful lyrics, blending them into chaotic masterpieces that hit the eardrum differently. An unseen-before combination of hip-hop, alternative R&B, neo-soul, and funk, the 2019 piece transcends contemporary production. While many artists tell stories through their albums, Tyler creates a narrative that flows from start to finish, with each song contributing a development to the tale of Igor. With Tyler taking the alter-ego, a man facing great feelings for a certain someone, the listeners take a rollercoaster ride as the relationship twists and turns.
In “I THINK” and “RUNNING OUT OF TIME,” Igor realizes how much he wants this girl and may need to act fast to catch her attention. Songs like those two and notably “EARFQUAKE” show Tyler’s ability to create catchy tunes and vibeable lyrics. As the album progresses, he shows off his emotional capabilities in verse, with hits like “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU” and “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS” hitting sides of Tyler’s bag unseen before. Throughout the work, distorted voices and synthesizers act as excellent auditory editions to add to the chaos of the pieces. These closing songs show Igor’s relationship eventually dissolving, with times of longing but eventually acceptance; it’s a perfect and mesmerizing display of human emotion, especially in a situation as tricky as a breakup.
What makes Igor stand out is how, unlike past albums, it shows Tyler’s feelings of love and heartbreak. He blends all these music styles together and shows you a big mashup of emotion.
This branch is far from the styles of Bastard (2009), Goblin (2011), Wolf (2013), Cherry Bomb (2015), and Flower Boy (2017), which expose the artist’s vulnerability. Many love Tyler for his chaoticness, a verb used frequently when describing his music, but it is mainly seen in his last two albums, the other Call Me If You Get Lost (2021). It is typical for male artists to omit emotion or deep feelings from their works, as it doesn’t line up with traditional male standards and can be seen as “weak” and “soft.” Yet, Tyler unapologetically sings his heart out, no matter what toxic masculinity has to say about it. Igor serves as an anthem for self-expression and individuality, breaking the standards set before.
Besides its actual music, Igor captivates with its striking visual aesthetic built around the album. From the album’s cover art, featuring a surreal portrait of Igor himself, to the psychedelic visuals of the “EARFQUAKE” music video, Tyler creates an optical world that mirrors the album’s emotional intensity and thematic depth. The album’s otherworldly atmosphere is enhanced by vibrant colors, abstract imagery, and experimental fashion choices.
Igor is not just another Tyler solo hit; it’s a collaborative gem. Featuring guest appearances from artists like Solange, Kanye West, and Playboi Carti, each track benefits from these collaborators’ unique talents and perspectives. Solange’s hard-hitting vocals on “I THINK” add moving beauty to the track, while Kanye’s reflective verse on “PUPPET” deepens the emotional aspects of Igor’s narrative. Playboi Carti’s signature ad-libs on “EARFQUAKE” create an infectious energy into the song, elevating it to a replay-worthy level. These collaborations demonstrate Tyler’s skill and ability to curate diverse voices and styles, resulting in a rich collection of sound that denies any chance of categorizing it.
While CMIYGL also won a Grammy and has its own lyrical and professional genius, it’s hard to say that Igor isn’t his best work. It represents a new era for Tyler, exposing his true self through his music and simultaneously capturing everyone’s love and attention. Okonma was already well known and making hits like “SEE YOU AGAIN” on Flower Boy. Still, it became tough to deny Tyler’s musical capabilities after Igor took home the most prestigious award in hip-hop with an album that’s only partially rap. Goes to show what a fantastic production can get you, and that’s a win at the highest musical awards show.
A pure tapestry of emotions, Igor will be played back for a long time and stand a testament to Tyler’s developments throughout his career, switching genres and meshing vocals with weighty lyrics. Whether or not Igor is everyone’s jam, it can be appreciated by the masses.
Steve Munsey | Apr 25, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Great piece. I’m looking forward to listening to the album.
Embry Munsey | Apr 25, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Sounds like we’ve got a lyrical genius writer on our hands as well! Great piece, Z.
chloe | Apr 25, 2024 at 9:57 am
wow