Tyler the Creator brings hard hitting emotions on the newest release. PHOTO CREDIT: targetcenter.com
Tyler, the Creator continued the summery vibes and hard hitting emotions on the deluxe version of his 2021 album “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.”
The new version, named “The Estate Sale,” includes eight new tracks with features from A$AP Rocky, Vince Staples and YG. Before diving into the new tracks, it’s important to give context to the album as a whole.
“CMIYGL” follows Tyler’s persona of Mr. Baudelaire, a seemingly wealthy fashionista, with a large affinity for personalized luggage. Tyler demonstrated clear influence from Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
The album opens with “SIR BAUDELAIRE,” where Tyler introduces the listener to his newest alter-ego. Throughout the album, Philadelphia native DJ Drama interjects with boisterous and often comedic ad-libs. Across the rest of the 52-minute runtime, Tyler explores themes of love, loneliness and isolation, most prominently seen on the eight minute long ballad, “WILSHIRE.” Here, Tyler expresses his emotions in their rawest form, interwoven with intense metaphors and allusions of a failed relationship.
This is continued through the deluxe version of the album as “SORRY NOT SORRY,” the final track of “The Estate Sale,” is a nearly four minute apology to everyone in Tyler’s former relationships. The accompanying music video shows Tyler destroying his former alter-egos, seeming to try to move on with his life.
These raw emotions are contradicted by tracks like “JUGGERNAUT,” “STUNTMAN” and “MANIFESTO.” “JUGGERNAUT” features Pharrell Williams and Lil Uzi Vert. Williams, a close friend of Tyler’s and consistent collaborator, lays down heavy-hitting bars through the distorted bass of the monstrous beat. Uzi, a rapper turned internet star floats effortlessly over the beat between Tyler and Williams’s verse. “STUNTMAN” featuring Vince Staples is a fast-paced track where Tyler and Staples go verse for verse flexing their wealth, cars and long list of travel destinations.
“Fiat 151, b***h, this ain’t a Lexus, Third gear got me drivin’ like I got a death wish, Small Italian town, hittin’ wheelies on a Vespa, Stamps on my passport is longer than a lecture (Y’all ready?),” Tyler raps.
Continuing the theme of love in the summertime, tracks like “WHARF TALK,” “SWEET/ I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” “WUSYANAME” and “HOT WIND BLOWS” all transport the listener to the deck of a faraway yacht without a care in the world. “WHARF TALK” invites the listener to get lost with Tyler. A$AP Rocky’s feature explores his young relationship with Rihanna and treating his new wife with trips, jewelry and more.
“SWEET/ I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE” runs nearly 10 minutes in length with features from Brent Faiyaz and Fana Hues. Here, Tyler shares his passionate feelings for a girl, before the beat changes to a reggae style groove. “WUSYANAME” describes Tyler’s immediate infatuation with a girl, with verses from Ty Dolla $ign and NBA Youngboy. “HOT WIND BLOWS” is a track oozing with luxury with a verse full of rich wordplay from Lil Wayne. Here Weezy and Tyler share their successes over a sampled soul beat from Penny Goodwin.
“CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” is one of Tyler, The Creator’s most complete albums thematically and through its production and “The Estate Sale” is no different, adding to the full album and enriching the entire listening experience.