The magic behind IGOR, tyler the creator

Tyler, the Creator has been known to introduce a fascinating array of alter egos in his remarkable discography. These personas serve as a reflection of his inner thoughts, granting us a glimpse into his psyche while narrating Tyler's personal evolution. In his initial trilogy, we were introduced to characters like doctor TC, the resilient feline, and Sam, a collective group of individuals who found liberation through fictional therapy sessions and conflicts at Kant Plagne.

However, it was with his 2017 album "Flower Boy" that Tyler truly blossomed on his path of self-discovery. This album, which shares its name with the transformative journey it represents, allowed us to witness Tyler's growth and maturity. And now, we are presented with "Igor," a name typically associated with Dr. Frankenstein's hunchbacked lab assistant. Through this alter ego, Tyler reveals a previously unexplored side of himself, delving into his love life and exposing his most vulnerable self.

"Igor" stands as a testament to Tyler the Creator's artistic brilliance, showcasing his ability to craft one of the most fully realized albums of 2019. Each song on the album is astonishingly heartfelt and touching, leaving a lasting impact on the listener. Considering these factors, I would confidently give "Igor" a solid 9 out of 10. With that said, let's embark on a song-by-song analysis of the album, exploring Tyler's captivating journey throughout its tracks.

I should mention, IGOR is one of my all time favorite albums and these are for the most part opinions and hold no real value. Also i don't ever really review music much this is just out of love for the album

"IGOR'S THEME":

The album opens with a pulsating instrumental, setting the stage for Tyler's transformative journey, like a teaser for a video game, it lays out themes which appear in some shape or form within the album. The album is to be filled with fuzzy synth funk, along with 2 seasons of tyler and "igor"'s love life. Season 1, (upto and including, a boy is a gun) where we view tyler initially falling for love, and the latter where he realizes that it is delusion pulling him and its now time to move on. The haunting melodies and heavy bass create an atmosphere of anticipation. It's as if we're entering Tyler's mind, ready to explore the depths of his emotions. 

It brings out a very well thought out understanding of the album with lyrics which follow through with the above mentioned ideas

"EARFQUAKE":

"EARFQUAKE" immediately grabs hold of our hearts with its infectious melodies and catchy chorus. Tyler's vulnerability shines through as he expresses the fear of losing someone he deeply loves. The juxtaposition between the upbeat production and heartfelt lyrics reflects the complexity of his emotions. It's a rollercoaster ride of love, filled with both joy and anguish. We learn of a lover tyler depends on yet is afraid of simultaneously.  

This track being insightful and full of upbeat instrumentals accompanied by deep lyricism hinting, rather depicting, tyler's vulnerability it holds great value to the over all album and emotional journey we are taken on. These feelings pour over into the following track.

"I THINK":

"I THINK" is a celebration of self-acceptance and the discovery of one's true desires. The groovy bassline and captivating hooks make it impossible to resist moving to the rhythm. Tyler's lyrics paint a picture of newfound confidence, as he embraces his individuality and breaks free from societal norms. The song exudes an infectious energy that mirrors his growing sense of self and unapologetic authenticity. Initially, there is a quick reference to "call me by your name" a short lived gay relationship. Tyler is desperate of this person attention but struggles how to tell them. but the lyrics also begin to hint at some unhealthy dependence, as we can observe from the lyric "i'm your puppet your jim henson". Tyler is yet to get aware of this as he will later on in the track puppet.

"RUNNING OUT OF TIME":

In "RUNNING OUT OF TIME," Tyler delves deep into the fear of missed opportunities and the fleeting nature of time. The introspective lyrics and soulful instrumentals create a contemplative mood, as he reflects on his personal growth and the need to seize every moment. Tension arises in their love dynamic as another obstacle is introduced. "Take your mask off, I need her out the picture", this 'her' has Tyler's love interest living in pretend wearing a to hide his sexuality and avoiding any commitment to Tyler. 

This track has Tyler promoting this lover of his to embrace the changes and live "freely"

"NEW MAGIC WAND":

"NEW MAGIC WAND" hits hard with its aggressive beats and distorted vocals, reflecting Tyler's intense emotions. It explores themes of possessiveness and the struggle to let go of toxic relationships. The powerful instrumentals and raw delivery embody the turmoil within him. It showcases his willingness to confront his own flaws and the urgency to break free from destructive patterns. The song opens with the words "sometimes you gotta close the door to open a window" which can be viewed in a few different angles, but as I see it, Tyler is fed up with the manner in which he has been going about this relationship, and wants to find a new approach to the matter at hand...killing his love interests, girlfriend. His jealously is at full display and is willing to make her disappear like magic, moreover if he cant have him, hell kill them both. The sinister instrumental ties the song together as tyler becomes more....obsessive.

"A BOY IS A GUN*":

This track combines dreamy instrumentals with introspective lyrics, creating a captivating atmosphere that invites self-reflection. "A BOY IS A GUN*" delves into the complexities of love and the vulnerability that accompanies it. Tyler's poetic imagery and melodic flow capture the introspective nature of his journey, as he learns to navigate the power dynamics in relationships. Like a gun, love is a dangerous thing to fool around with, and whilst this love interest is great to Tyler, it might be what kills him...the boy is a gun and in turn has the ability to ruin Tyler.

"PUPPET":

"PUPPET" features a collaboration with Kanye West and provides a profound examination of power dynamics and manipulation within relationships. The haunting piano and Tyler's introspective verses create a sense of unease, reflecting the emotional vulnerability he experiences when controlled by love. The song delves into the struggle to maintain autonomy and highlights the weight of emotional dependency. Initially, he's kind but as the track moves he gets taken over by jealousy over the thought of the girl. He is unable to keep his cool within this track and Kanye being his inner voice during the chorus. The song leads to clarity after he advises himself to vent on a song which takes us into the second season of IGOR.

"WHAT'S GOOD":

"WHAT'S GOOD" explodes with aggressive energy, capturing Tyler's defiance and determination to assert himself. This track is menacing and reminiscing of Tyler's earlier projects. The hard-hitting beats and intense delivery mirror his journey of self-empowerment and breaking free from societal constraints. It's a powerful declaration of his resilience and willingness to challenge the status quo, embracing his true self and refusing to be confined by others' expectations. Igor attempts to fix the heartache Tyler had dealt with and repair his ego. 

"GONE, GONE / THANK YOU":

"GONE, GONE / THANK YOU" acts as a reflection of the love triangle. The relationship is now in the past and Tyler claims to be happier to have loved and lost than to never had loved at all. This two-part track gracefully transitions from a melancholic reflection on lost love to an expression of gratitude for personal growth. The seamless blending of genres and introspective lyrics create a sense of catharsis. "GONE, GONE" portrays the pain of letting go, while "THANK YOU" celebrates the lessons learned and the strength gained through the experience. The acceptance had set in and although Tyler doesn't like it, the girl won. He understand what could've been...but as Igor he is ready to move on.

"I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE":

"I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE" showcases Tyler's emotional vulnerability as he grapples with the end of a relationship. The stripped-down instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics convey a sense of loss and acceptance. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ever-changing nature of love and personal growth. Tyler is coping with the loss yet, Igor is willing to move on. With the romance over he askes himself if a platonic relationship could still strive from the mess he created.

"ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?":

The album concludes with a beautifully introspective ballad. "ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?" explores the complexities of relationships and the uncertainty that accompanies their evolution. Tyler's heartfelt vocals and honest lyrics encapsulate the bittersweet nature of human connections, leaving us with a sense of introspection and contemplation. Tyler, would rather end up as friends than nothing at all. This concludes the album with a sample by al green's "dream" a song about dreams becoming reality and lasting forever, which aligns with Tyler's aspiration to be friends with this guy after the relationship had crashed and burned. As bad as this may be for Tyler, it is still his best option.