REVIEW: TYLER, THE CREATOR - DON'T TAP THE GLASS

4/5

In Case Of Emergency, Break Glass

Tapping in, Tyler, The Creator, currently on a world tour for last year's classic, 'Chromakopia', will touch down in Tokyo in a matter of months. Donning that iconic black phantom mask, that is about as signature as the dark Celtic green artwork that plasters posters all around the world of towns he tours. Even so, that hasn't stopped him from dropping a surprise brand-new album, to start the week of all schedules. New Music Monday, anybody? It's got a nice ring to it like 'Ring Ring Ring', off of The Creator's latest invention, 'Don't Tap The Glass'. Breaking industry trends and shattering Spotify streams. The most anticipated album of the week...is already here. And those in Japan and the rest of the watching world may just have a two-album tour. Tyler, on the other hand, just wants you to dance, without the screening fear of being filmed.

On iconic scrunched paper white album artwork, a shirtless Creator looks like the legendary LL Cool J in gold rope and red Kangol. Not to mention, those iconic bifocals. And he's worthy of that def stature for his jams. Tyler's latest creation is up there with the classic that came before it. As a matter of fact, all the classics that came before this ninth wonder, like the producer. 'Bastard', 'Goblin', 'Wolf', 'Cherry Bomb', 'Flower Boy', 'Igor', 'Call Me If You Get Lost', and all that album artwork. And coming so closely to 'Chroma's' time, this is more than an epic 'Estate Sale' for the Grammy winner. It's a completely fresh, fire classic in its own right. Furthering the rhyme, or should we say why to the reason he was left out of last year's best rapper of the big-three debate. Until J. Cole bashfully bowed out after throwing shade at 'The Simpsons' and Kendrick Lamar turned Drake into a minoooooor thing. No matter, Tyler knows that real hip-hop and the art of it is more than war and about the words that make the music that lasts longer. And hey, any excuse for our social media reels to get refreshed with that legendary freestyle and Funkmaster Flex's reaction to why he used that line. Not to mention, Tyler's nonplussed one.

You won't question why he uses these lyrics, though, as the latest creation makes for a great fortnight in hip-hop. Beginning with the real and raw reunion of Clipse (another of Drake's fondest friends) and hitting Friday night with Wu-Tang's very own Raekwon in 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. The Mass Appeal of this album to be followed by new labelmates Nas & DJ Premier, Mobb Deep, De La Soul, Big L, and Wu closest compadre, Ghostface Killah. Not to mention, the great adventures of Slick Rick, who started all this off, last month. But legend has it... Tyler Gregory Okonma could give a signature set like that, with his own defiant and definitive discography. You only have to hear the 'Don't Tap The Glass' title-track 'Tweakin'' and the big-three that comes next ('Don't You Worry Baby', 'I'll Take Care Of You', 'Tell Me What It Is') in closing to know this is creation in its purest, raw form. This Colombia record may be less than a half-hour (which Creator record isn't), but it's all power (like Tyler, always). Running game like 'Stop Playing With Me', and all the people Tyler has taken to town, or taken home, as he gets all his affairs in order.

Unexpected, like bird s###, albums are the norm now in rap. So much so, the surprise is almost spoiled. But they hype is real, with NBA G.O.A.T. LeBron James cosigning. Even though you'd never believe it if 'Bron said he saw it coming (he didn't...relax. These are just jokes, baby). He does appear in the latest 'Playing With Me' music video alongside childhood friend and business partner Maverick Carter and the Clipse (who, like Tyler, once dissed him. "Like that, 'Bron, 'Bron?"), mind you. Tyler's shortest album yet was probably his biggest promoted, as an art installation of this album artwork's giant caricature of the Creator channelling Cool James debuted outside Brooklyn's Barclays Center, encased in glass you shouldn't touch, tap, nor break. Vinyls, t-shirts and bucket hats (hey, Raekwon) have been selling like hot cakes, ever since. And ever since it was released this morning at 6.00AM, Eastern Standard Time (we've been waiting all day in the Far East), it's been jumping off like the outstanding opening track 'Big Poe', sampling 'Pass The Courvoisier, Part II', the iconic part track featuring Pharrell and Sean Combs...erm.

Three cryptic boxes, blue, yellow and red helped tease this album that starts its breakfast with 'Sugar On My Tongue', and lines to tap your spoon to, like, "Are you from Mars? Make your arms and legs shake, uh-huh/Give me that slice of cream, is it your birthday? Uh-huh/I got a brush, give me your wallet, I'll pay, uh-huh/Don't need no air, I stay down there 'til I fade (Girl, I'm dead)" Sounds like oral is the breakfast of champions, in this 'Rush' of blood to the head, as Tyler keeps it going down. 'Mommanem' keeps this top, ten track album moving. One that is as compelling as it is cohesive. Media channel Complex made a mistake by tweeting that this album would feature Kendrick and Earl Sweatshirt. But there is no Odd Future reunion here, breaking bread like Lionel Boyce on season four of 'The Bear'. No matter, that can all wait. Tyler stays 'Sucka Free' as he raps, "Odd Future, Wolf Gang, all the bros in here/You n####s bums, you never really figured it out/You the type to let a b#### wear a shoe in your house (Hah)/You the type to buy a chain before some furniture, couch/And you the type of n#### never had a fist hit your mouth (Bink-bink-bink, huh)/You ain't got no guap, no paper, ain't no ink/See, I'm that guy, give a f### what you think." Broken glass, everywhere. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Don't You Worry Baby', 'I'll Take Care Of You', 'Tell Me What It Is'.

Spin This: Tyler, The Creator - 'Chromakopia'.