Nine months and a new album

Tyler, the Creator’s ninth studio album, “Don’t Tap The Glass”, is an album meant for movement. Hit play, and you feel an immediate urge to get up and dance. With this album, Tyler focuses not on giving his songs deeper meanings but instead the feelings they evoke. Released just nine months after his eighth album, Tyler wrote, produced, and recorded “Don’t Tap The Glass” himself while on his Chromakopia tour.

The album opens with “Big Poe,” the robotic voice of Tyler telling the listener the three rules: “body movement, no sitting still/ only speak in glory, leave your baggage at home/ don’t tap the glass”. These rules set up the overarching theme throughout his new album, one which he’s reinforced on his social media and in interviews. This album is meant to let people express themselves without fear of judgment. It’s a release from his years of heavy lyrical work, and a step back into the creative freedom that defined his early music. The song features Pharrell Williams under the alias Sk8brd, and samples from Israeli musician Shye Ben Tzur and hip hop artist Busta Rhymes. 

The next track, “Sugar On My Tongue,” is the catchiest. The song features a funky synth line repeating throughout the song, making it impossible not to dance. The song would fit perfectly into “Cherry Bomb,” his fourth album, with multiple instruments combining to create a chaotic experience. It’s followed up by the contrasting “Sucka Free,” a laid-back hip hop experience. Its themes and instrumentals resemble those of “Flower Boy,” his hit 2017 album, as Tyler discusses his roots in LA and his authenticity — calling out people who suck up to others just for validation or status. 

The next song, “Mommanem”, is the shortest of the album, but still packs a punch. The instrumentals create tension while Tyler expresses his resentment towards people who’ve left him when he most needed their support. This song marks his decision to say what he wants, even if it's controversial. The transition into “Stop Playing With Me” is seamless, and Tyler takes his message from the previous song even further. The track is unapologetic and aggressive. He wants people to stop being fake and to stop bothering him for no reason.

Tyler

Photo: Tyler, the Creator on the cover of “Don’t Tap The Glass.

Tyler, the Creator on the cover of “Don’t Tap The Glass. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records.



The best way to describe “Ring Ring Ring,” the next song, is sunny. With all the tension built up in the first half of the album, it's a mellower song that reflects on a lover he once shut out but still can’t get over. It’s not revolutionary; he’s made songs in the past about calling a lover or family member (“Glitter”, “Answer”), but the familiar idea doesn’t diminish the addictiveness of the song. In fact, that nostalgic feeling is part of its charm. However, Tyler doesn’t stay mellow for long. The titular song of the album, “Don’t Tap That Glass/Tweakin’” brings back the energy and the beats. The song isn’t lyrically complex, but it doesn’t need to be. The repetition of the track’s title is cut out for a sing along, and the bass goes all the way to your bones. The mid-song switchup is characteristic of his two-part tracks.. As the first half wraps up, you might think the song is over, but he comes back with even more energy. He tells you to “catch your breath,” and that’s a necessity after the constant movement inducing tracks.

“Don’t You Worry Baby” feels like a lullaby with rhythm. The intro can only be described as celestial; Madison McFerrin was the perfect choice for this feature. Her vocals are comforting, sweet, and soulful. The instrumentals of the track are led by piano, but interspersed with classic Tyler beats that make the song his own. If you ever doubted Tyler’s range as an artist, this song is the prime counterpoint. Playing “I’ll Take Care Of You” feels as if you’re entering the world of a small indie videogame, with Yebba’s voice guiding you through. This track is the slow dance of prom, the final song at a wedding, the last night of summer. 

Unfortunately, this album had to come to an end, and there was no better way to close it out than “Tell Me What It Is.” The song has Tyler’s heart on his sleeve as he asks what love is and whether he will ever find it. He’s scared of opening up, of showing himself for who he is. Tyler doesn’t go out with a bang; he leaves you to wonder. The song winds down the energy of the album perfectly, mixing Tyler’s singing with piano and synth. As the tempo slows and the song wraps up, the robotic voice returns. It bids the listener farewell, thanking them for not tapping the glass. 

In a musical landscape that values commercial success over meaning, Tyler, the Creator has built whole worlds with his music. “Flower Boy”, “Call Me if You Get Lost”, and “Chromakopia” tell stories about his life and those around him through lyrics and instrumentals in a way seldom found. “Don’t Tap The Glass” is no less than that. It may lack the complexity of lyrics, but it has not lost any of the meaning that comes with all his music. In an interview with podcaster Zane Lowe, Tyler says “I was not tryna do the 'oh lemme spend three years on this verse'. It's where I’m at right now. That [stuff’s] fun, and it’s silly again. That's where my spirit is at”. That energy shines through in every single song on this album. This new era is not characterized by multilayered lyrics or complex character arcs, but instead by a joy for creating music. This album is meant to connect people, to get them up, and most importantly, to dance together.