REVIEW: Tyler the Creator – WOLF

WOLF is the third studio album from Tyler the Creator, Leader of the hip hop collective Odd Future which was released on April 2, 2013 on Odd Future records.  This is by far some of Tyler’s best work as it relates to the dramatic improvements in his production skills and obvious lack of his regular subject matter which normally includes rape, Satanist, vulgarity behavior etc. So with that being said you can see the maturity being developed in Tyler’s music and within himself as he slowly closes the doors on the issues he has expressed in his last two previous albums Bastard and Goblin and is now trying to find closure and develop more as a person and as an artist. This shift could be controversial to the Bastard fans but also allow more people to appreciate the cohesiveness and dynamic spontaneity of Tyler so I guess in all aspects you got to lose some in order to gain more.   

The album starts off with the track Wolf now Tyler’s previous projects worked with the concept of his discussions with his school counselor but he switched it up on this album by having a very melodic instrumental playing at the beginning before introducing himself on the track with a blunt FUCK YOU so best believe not all is lost as Tyler still has his wild, random and non care mentality still impacted in his persona. The concept of the album changes a little, it now tells a small story of a camping trip in which includes the regular characters such as Wolf, The High School Counselor, Sam and Salem (Sam’s So Called Girlfriend) so as u listen the album you should be able to hear the conclusion of this short story.  

As always Tyler does features hi s Odd Future Posse On This album with the likes of Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Earl sweatshirt and former Odd future members like Casey Veggies but its two features on this WOLF album that brought life to some of the records like Erykah badu on TreeHome95 which I must say is probably the best record on WOLF with how her smoothing vocals had u mesmerized over the composition of the neon soul infused beat Tyler laced, he truly is a creative producer. The other feature has to be Tyler’s Idol and these days friend Pharrell on the Popular record IFHY (I Fucking Hate You) which tells the tale of an twisted obsessive love/hate one can experience but its Pharrell‘s co-production and N.E.R.D like vocals that gave it that extra vibe to the record to make it the hit it is today.     

The Subject Matter of WOLF goes from Tyler’s Issues with Fame, the reality of his grandmother dying and his inability to cope and his long and aggravated hatred for his father but Tyler still manages to have his regular fun on most of the records like Jamba, Domo23, Trashwang and Tamale so as u can see this is another well put together effort from the emo psychopath himself but u hear the improvement in his beats, u can hear the maturity in his song content so for those who were skeptical of his music because of the abnormality and aggressive nature I challenge you to listen WOLF, look past what u may find bizarre and tap into the subconscious and creative mind of this guy named Tyler and appreciate the G.O.O.D music he delivers to his fans  and support his effort to spark a shock value in Hip Hop.