Tyler, the Creator
Cherry Bomb

On Tyler, The Creator (born Tyler Okonma, class of 1991), one could write everything and the opposite of everything.

Describing his attitude, the concepts expressed, and the extravagant rambling that accompanies his music, his music videos, his clothing line, and everything that his mind drives him to create, risks leaving one confused, with a severe headache, or excited at the question of what every new idea from the 24-year-old Californian might reveal.
Not least, the launch of Golf Media. A paid smartphone application, according to him, useful in maintaining a closer and more controlled relationship with his fans in terms of news streaming, real-time content sharing, and live blogging, separating from today's social networks that he detests but has assiduously used, in past years, to promote his projects.

But Tyler, as we know, loves to contradict himself.
He loves to change his mind every five minutes. He especially loves creating music that underlies this continuous contradiction. And not long after having declared that he closed with rap or music in general, because he was "tired of the music biz" and opposed to being put into the "big box of Hip-Hop," he surprisingly drops Cherry Bomb, his fourth full-length in seven years, destined to disorient his audience once again and beyond. Why? Let's proceed in order.

The first thing one perceives when listening to the entire album is the pleasant and illuminating innovation that has struck Tyler's music and his way of composing. Cherry Bomb is light-years away from Bastard, at the opposite ends of the spectrum from Goblin, and the illegitimate child of Wolf.
Compositional maturity that coincides with the remarkable artistic caliber of the guests called in during the recording phase, consequently paying homage to all the artists that have influenced Tyler, most notably the legend Charlie Wilson and Pharrell Williams.

This is accompanied by lyrics that are the natural transcript of the singer's ego. There are always the "fag," the "fuck this-fuck that," and the typically black humor, but there is also a lot, an awful lot of positivity (another difference from previous albums); there is vulgarity in abundance, there is a desire for rebellion, but there are also pseudo-romanticisms and lighthearted speeches, intoxications of an artist who seems to be finally happy -his own words- with what life offers him.

Cherry Bomb is thus a lyrical-musical collage that blends neo-psychedelia, electronics, and jazz with alternative rap infused with rock divagations, pop-radio jingles, and female choruses with a soul aftertaste. Tyler's voice is often altered or modified; this might not please everyone, but the final result is definitely convincing. It fascinates with its sound potential and arrangements (despite a not excellent production) and entertains with its intentions and slogans. And with "entertains," I especially refer to those who know Tyler and his character, artistic or otherwise.

From the rock-influenced echoes of N*E*R*D* in "Deathcamp," to the very pleasant track "Find Your Wings," a true miniature gem resonating with jazz and lounge-bar music, embellished with sax and xylophone, passing through the earth-shaking wall of sound noise/electro of the abrasive and electric title track. There is the sonic softcore of "Blow My Load" and the frenzy of "Run," stuffed with basses and samples. The writer did not particularly appreciate the track "Smuckers," which features both Kanye West and Lil Wayne (!!!), a chapter that, however, does not jar with the eclectic progression of the album. "Fucking Young" is smooth, and so is "Okaga, CA"; two soft and melodic tracks, especially the second, placed at the end of an album full of intelligent stylistic cues and solutions, which flows pleasantly from start to finish.

Looking for sound sophistication, love music without genre constraints, or just want an album that entertains and surprises you? Cherry Bomb is the album for you, one that will remain among your playlists for a long time.

Greetings to the readers of Debaser!