Tyler puts out an opulent flex and a 2000s mixtape homage with 'Call Me If You Get Lost'
At this point of his career, Tyler could just do anything especially after having a mature switch up with Flower Boy and IGOR. He already has shown variation and longevity through all of his works, so some switch-up might be on the way.
That switch-up does show up once more on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, where Tyler’s homage to the 2000s mixtape era pushes forth with his usual oddball tendencies but smoothened out with the embrace of his success and extravagance. It’s not all flexing to the core, as this is also the time where he reflects back upon his success and his career and how he is aware about feeling awkward with his success and how it affects his desire to connect with other people despite the amounts of awards that he garnered throughout the years. Tyler’s flair as a rapper has always gotten more lively, where his flexing feels more refreshing with the references towards travelling and art. And as a producer is where the album shines, where you can pick up elements that he has used on his past albums such as ragged and bright synths IGOR, the mish-mash mixing of Cherry Bomb, and the heavy bass percussion of Goblin and present the best parts of them in this album. The features also stepped it up and brought their A-game on these songs, and DJ DRAMA helped make the album more punchy with his ad-libs. Unfortunately, the production and song structure gets clunkier as the album progresses, the relationship arc doesn't coalesce that well, and the album ends on a low note as it feels like an interlude and the inclusion of an ableist slur doesn’t help either.
It’s the right moment for Tyler to create his flexing album and the right time to project his adoration towards the mixtapes in the 2000s that made an impression on him. This results in his liveliest record to date where the flexes swerve and crash, the production presents the right balance of elements used in the past albums, and each feature brings their vigor to the table. Refreshing and opulent in Tyler’s way, and it's an album worth experiencing.
Favorite Tracks: WUSYANAME, LUMBERJACK, HOT WIND BLOWS, JUGGERNAUT, CORSO, MASSA, WILSHIRE, MANIFESTO Least Favorite Track: SAFARI