By Brett Kaufman

Apple Music
Spotify

GRADE: A

Tyler the Creator’s fourth album, Scum F*ck Flower Boy, offers a new perspective into the creative personality that is Tyler Okonma, bringing his unique duality to center stage. Tyler the Creator is split down the middle. The more palpable, “Scum F*ck” side of him is evident in his past. For example, Tyler’s insensitive and vulgar lyrics have had consequences, as he is banned from visiting the UK for supposedly “encouraging violence and intolerance of homosexuality.” On full display throughout the album is Tyler’s “Flower Boy” side, where sexuality and identity are less clear-cut. Tyler explores depths of himself and produces the lovely, but vulnerable Scum F*ck Flower Boy.

Throughout the album, we are introduced to a side of Tyler Okonma that was previously absent in his earlier works. “See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)” and “911 / Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy)” are the strongest songs off the album, encapsulating the theme of self-exposure evident in its entirety. The first of which is Tyler’s account of love, or lack thereof. Whether the “you” Tyler is lusting after in this song is male or female is not made clear throughout the album, adding ambiguity to Tyler’s proclaimed sexuality. “911 / Mr. Lonely” is Tyler’s depressed and lonely yearning for meaningful social interaction. Frank Ocean’s memorable “Chirp Chirp” is followed by a short verse echoing Tyler’s desire to break the boredom present in his life.

The intended direction of this album is made clear by observing who Tyler chose to feature on his fourth installment. Beautiful voices such as Frank Ocean, Rex Orange County, Estelle, and Steve Lacy are oftentimes the focal point of songs, forcing Tyler to take a backseat in his own song. This should not be looked at lightly, as in the end, Tyler’s sacrifices his strong, deep voice, for perhaps more graceful, delicate sounds to contribute to the overall mood of the album. This is evident in the song “Garden Shed.” Tyler does not appear on the song until the last minute of this near-four-minute song. Instead, Estelle and a booming, uncut electric guitar harmonize, producing a stunning combination that is both strong but delicate. To conclude this song, Tyler delivers a punching 30-line verse about his sexuality, sensitivity, and vulnerability.

The more familiar, hardened side of Tyler the Creator is revived in songs “Who Dat Boy (feat. A$AP Rocky) and “I Ain’t Got Time!”. While these songs offer hard-hitting verses to those who do not enjoy the depth explored by Tyler throughout the majority of the album, they could perhaps be interpreted as relapses on Tyler’s attempt to put his sensitivity on full display.

Scum F*ck Flower Boy acts as a lens through which listeners are able to explore the depths of Tyler Okonma. This masterpiece of unique instrumental patterns, melancholy melodies, and punching guitar chords puts Tyler’s creative ability as a musician, rather than a rapper, on full display. Scum F*ck Flower Boy is Tyler’s best album to date and is an ideal example of the maturity and “growing up” of an artist. Tyler is no longer the vulgar, oddball that created Goblin in 2011, but rather an extremely talented musician, producer, and rapper—and deserves all the praise he receives for his fourth studio album.

Song of the Album: See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)