This is Tyler’s superstar era. While quickly delivering on his early promise of being an artist to watch when he was coming up with his Odd Future crew, his run of stellar albums that have pushed Hip Hop and the music game in general are a testament to the artist that we have blessing our generation of music fans with projects that mark an era.
I had high expectations for how Tyler, the Creator planned to follow-up his wave-shifting IGOR. And while his 2019 album remains my favorite album of his, I only needed one stream to be convinced that we have another dope album in our hands and I’m already hype to see what he’s got planned to bring to life in a concert setting.
The addition of DJ Drama not only helps push the story of the album along, but he also helps bring to mind the iconic mixtapes so many of us grew up hearing a generation ago, thus paying homage to Hip Hop culture in a way that a true fan like Tyler would want to incorporate to his album to give it that extra touch that elevates his work here.
Here are my top 5 songs on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST:
“LUMBERJACK”
The most explicitly radio-friendly single doesn’t get that label by veering into Pop-y hooks and earworm-y melodies, but rather for the way it builds its intensity with bar after bar about how he’s unfuckwittable. Tyler’s also wild as fuck for his poignant shout-out to his parents for not pulling out, because who else could be more responsible for the life he gets to have today?
“HOT WIND BLOWS”
The flute pushes a dramatic and alluring tone to the production, a beautiful backdrop to Tyler’s signature raspy and aggressive vocals. “HOT WIND BLOWS” also delivers another masterful connection with Lil Wayne, keeping that 3-album run of features to remind the world why Weezy’s legacy.
“SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE”
The synths plus the echoing and light distortion effects on the guitar are everything for the first half of the song, helping the love storytelling deliver on just how sweet she really was to his life. Brown sugar, sweet potatoes… But just like anything in life, the story reveals things can’t be blissfully sweet forever, and the switch-up to the second half of the song is one of my favorite things on the album. The vintage tropical sounds helps soften the blow
“What makes you think I’m not in love? / How could you know what’s best for us?/ Why am I here standing alone, because I thought you wanted to dance.”
This song arrives halfway through the album, with practically every song that precedes it being a boastful summary of how far he’s come and how good he’s got it in life… Yet all of that couldn’t prevent him from hearing his love interest to let him down easy with a blow to the deepest part of his chest with the line:
“So don’t forget about me / I’ll save a dance just for you.”
“JUGGERNAUT”
Another great feature on this album comes by way of Lil Uzi Vert and one of Tyler’s idols, Pharrell Williams. After “BLESSED” provides a reset The song is swaggy and it can get you in hype mode in seconds. The features carry this track, which shows the creative mind behind GOLF WANG is ok with sharing the spotlight, while knowing he’s riding such a high on this album that there’s no chance he’ll be overshadowed
“WILSHIRE”
Is it bad that my favorite songs on the album tend to be the more problematic ones? The attempt to refocus your attention with tracks like “JUGGERNAUT” about how much of a dope mf he is doesn’t last very long, revealing it’s a bit of a façade he uses to hide what’s missing in his life. “WILSHIRE” slows things down for a groovy joint about his conflicting feelings for a friend’s partner in a situationship in which he’s the other guy. The song focuses on how he’s trying to vie for her attention and enjoying all the good parts about spending time together and playing pretend about the life they can have when(/if) she chooses him… without crossing that line that would see them two fully betraying the other person in this love triangle.
“I feel guilty but not as much as I should.”
“I’ve never been jealous of another man… I have everything I could want at hand. Except you”
“You still had your n**** and you still had your fun”
Tyler can boast about everything he can get, how he could get her everything she desires, and all the good times they’ve spent together… But until it’s official, he ain’t got shit.
