Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost

 

Saw him bloom in 'Flower Boy', then he told a breathtaking narrative of heartbreak in 'IGOR'. So what does Tyler, the Creator's sixth record, 'Call Me When You Get Lost,' offer? 

The rollout of the 'Call Me When You Get Lost' has been fascinating. A massive billboard with the album's title had the phone number +1 (855) 444-8888. Call that number a part of the Momma Talk Interlude plays. Then with a few visual teasers, Tyler also unleashed the album's first single, 'LUMBERJACK.' A sampling of Gravediggaz's '2 Cups of Blood' makes for a nicely cacophonic instrumental for the track. Meanwhile, Tyler satisfyingly flaunts his 'seven zeroes' while selling out Madison Square Garden, dismissing his critics that 'treat him like that boy from Malcolm in the Middle' and 'cannot fuck with his performance of magic new wand'. Additionally, DJ Drama is a hyping force within the track and continues to be so on the album. 

'Call Me If You Get Lost' begins well with the opening 'SIR BAUDELAIRE'. Sampling Westside Gunn's 'Micheal Irvin,' the instrumental is hypnotic as Tyler gets his thick passport stamped up, getting ready to take us for a journey. Tyler continues his joyful flaunts over a thumping industrial beat in 'Corso' while humorously planting the seeds of the love triangle narrative of the album in the third verse. Tyler attempts to take somebody bitch. In the end, the love interest remained with her current lover, but Tyler hopes when they are fucking, she still thinks of him cause he is perfect. Amusing vanity from Tyler here. 

Following the blasting horn-filled banger in 'LEMONHEAD' featuring 42 Dugg, Tyler continues his fruitful practice of sampling in the addictive 'WUSYANAME.' The production is a lovely sweet citrus fruit through the sample of H-Town's 'Back Seats (With No Sheets)'. Ty Dolla $ign on the track delivers a mint garnish of background vocals. Meanwhile, Tyler humorously chases a love interest with cheesy pick-up lines. After 'LUMBERJACK', Penny Goodwin's 'Slow Hot Wind' is sampled on the blissful 'Hot Wind Blows.' More enjoyable flexes from Tyler here as Lil Wayne continues his strong feature game, as of recent, with an ecstatic rap verse. 

Tyler intriguingly introspects on his growth throughout his discography in the rhythmic vibe of 'MASSA.' Facial hair starting growing, clothing not fitting, Tyler was shifting, that is why Cherry Bomb was shifty. His taste started changing, and his thoughts change rapidly. Like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon, Flower Boy happened. All the bees buzzed as Tyler begun to achieved commercial success. Additionally, Tyler describing the time "Yonkers" dropped, with his Mom being in the shelter, was a touching moment, with him getting her out of that lifestyle was the moment Tyler realised he made it. Furthermore, in the second verse, Tyler reflects on his struggle with love. After his past relationships being in the shadows and being only decent, not perfect, Tyler now finds himself in tug-o-war between X and Y like a custody battle.

'RUNITUP,' an anthem of living life to the fullest, is driven by the bright production of uplifting horns, rattling hi-hats and drums, and the chemistry shared between Tyler and Teezo Touchdown. Tyler's flow bleeds charisma throughout the track, while Teezo is compelling with his ad-libs and outro verse. In 'MANIFESTO', sonically satisfying with the spiralling vocal sample from Nas' 'Nazareth Savage,' Tyler dismisses 'cancel culture.' He gave it the middle finger as he was already 'cancelled before cancelled was with Twitter fingers.' Additionally, Tyler takes responsibility for his past controversial lyrics and tweets directed at Selena Gomez.'

"Internet bringing up old lyrics, like I hide the shit, what's your address, I could probably send you a copy, bitch." 

"I was a teener, tweetin' Selena crazy shit, Didn't want to offend, apologise when I saw her.' 

'SWEET/ I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE' is a fine continuation of the love triangle narrative within the album. 'SWEET' is a charming love song with its summery wavy instrumental as Tyler pleasantly croons for his love interest. Brent Faiyaz also comes in with a soothing bridge. However, the love interest begins to have mixed feelings about her relationship with Tyler. Fana Hues assumes the role of this love interest in the delightful reggae segment of 'I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE.' In her beautifully earnest verse, Fana admits that she and her current lover got some things that they were trying. However, her energy belongs to Tyler. She wants Tyler so bad, but not too fast. It is not Tyler's fault. They cannot pretend because they are both in the wrong.' Then, Tyler delightfully goes into a mental breakdown of a rap verse, wishing that he never met his love interest but later questioning what does his love interest's current partner 'got that he does not get a lot of?'

Following the humorous 'MOMMA TALK,' Tyler delivers an elevating anthem of rising above the haters and the non-believers in 'RISE!', which features some warm vocals from DAISY WORLD. Tyler then recruits Lil Uzi Vert and Pharell Williams to unload the satisfyingly shattering 'JUGGERNAUT.' It is a fiery blast of performances from the trio, with the track's production fuelling them with quaking bass and sampled sirens and ringing phones. 

The penultimate 'WILSHIRE' concludes the love triangle narrative, with the relationship between Tyler and his love interest ultimately not working, but like a bad perm, they will always be friends. Like in IGOR, Tyler has found himself in heartbreak again, despite being in a different corner of a love triangle this time around. He feels guilt as he realises that all his morals and power disappeared when 'a particular energy was nearing'. His feelings had so much gravity and out of his control. He self deprecates as everybody got hurt in this shit situation, a depressing ending to this gripping love story from Tyler here. 

'Call Me If You Get Lost' does end decently with 'SAFARI.' Over rich horns, Tyler raps on his love for travelling and encourage listeners to see the world, open their eyes till their back hurts, get out of their bubble gum and blow up horizons. 

'Call Me If You Get Lost' is a remarkable piece from Tyler, The Creator. Tyler's eventual heartbreak after chasing a love interest already in a relationship is a sonically riveting narrative. Additionally, his introspections on his growth personally and musically compelled. Moreover, the record included a satisfying shockwave of fiery bangers. Since 'Flower Boy,' it has been a superb three-album run from Tyler. Who knows what he has in store for us next, but we will be waiting with great anticipation. 

Best Track(s): WUSYANAME, SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE, JUGGERNAUT, RUNITUP, RISE!, LUMBERJACK

8.75/10.