by CAROLINE GAVURA Staff Writer
Tyler, the Creator proves he is maturing and wittier than ever on his third studio album “Wolf”, which was released on April 2, 2013.
Unlike his previous albums, “Wolf” includes less angry yelling and temper tantrums. Instead, Tyler chooses to open up and be sincere.
The album features many guest appearances by members of Tyler’s rap group Odd Future. Members such as Frank Ocean, Mike G, Domo Genesis, Left Brain, L-Boy, Taco, Jasper Dolphin and Hodgy Beats are all featured, along with other artists such as Pharrell Williams, former Odd Future member Casey Veggies, Letitia Sadier, and Erykah Badu.
“I like how this album is more sentimental than Tyler’s previous albums. I can relate to a lot of the songs about awkward first dates and having a troubled relationship with your parents,” said sophomore Cori Haider.
The album features three characters: Sam, Wolf, and Salem. Sam is dating Salem, but Wolf tends to flirt with her, causing a love triangle. Most of the songs are sung in Sam’s point of view, and how he feels as though he is losing Salem to Wolf.
Highlights of the album include “Awkward” featuring Ocean, describing how Sam and Salem met and fell in love. The song has many relatable lyrical gems such as, “Then we awkwardly stare until our lips locked, then we awkwardly stared because our lips locked,” and, “Treat my palms like a bowling ball and grip and keep holding girl.”
In “Answer”, Tyler pretends to call his father who was not around during his childhood. He expresses the fact that he is angry at his father for leaving him and his mother in a time of need, but still hopes he picks up the phone to talk.
“IFHY,” featuring Williams, has become a cult classic among Odd Future fans, and even got its own video. In the song, Sam describes his confused feelings for Salem saying, “Crazy who makes me the happiest can make me the saddest.”
“I love ‘IFHY’! Not only does it have a killer beat, but the lyrics are really relatable. Everyone gets frustrated at the people they love sometimes, but in the end they still love each other,” said sophomore Corrine Franchette.
While I usually did not take Tyler’s music seriously, this album made me change my perspective. With “Wolf” he is straying away from lyrics about rape, misogyny, and murder. Instead, he focuses on storytelling, first love, and trying to figure out who he is as an artist.
I give “Wolf” four out of five stars. Although some of the verses were extremely vulgar, they are so witty you have to give the OF members some credit. I am looking forward to hearing more meaningful raps from Tyler in the future.
What do you think of the album? Leave a comment below!