Artist: Tyler, the Creator
Album: Goblin
Label: XL Recordings

The highly anticipated sophomore effort from the Odd Future frontman, Tyler, the Creator is here, Goblin, courtesy of XL Records. First and foremost, I need everyone who intends on listening to this album to be warned, Tyler nor his music are for everyone. Even I was skeptical to listen to the 20 year-old MCs project after seeing his visuals for the lead single “Yonkers”, however there is a hold he has on the hip hop masses and for that reason (and of course my utter obsession with his Odd Future band mate Frank Ocean), I had to give it a chance. A chance with an open mind.
   
Goblin starts off with Tyler attempting to confront some inner demons with his therapist/ alter ego in the title track ( a theme that continues throughout the album). Addressing girls, his disdain for the fact that he may ever be considered a role model and even paternal abandonment as a child; “Competition missing like that n*gga my mom f*cked. He still hasn’t called me yet…but that’s a whole f*ckin different argument”. On “Yonkers”, the Creator unleashes an angry flow and even takes a couple jabs at his entertainment colleagues such as Hayley Williams of Paramore, B.O.B. and Bruno Mars; “What you think of Hayley Williams? F*ck her, wolf Haley robbing them..I’ll crash that f*ckin airplane that that f*ggot n*gga BOB is in and stab Bruno Mars in his god damn esophagus and won’t stop till the cops come in..”. More violence ensues with the defiant “Radicals”, which leads off by saying “don’t do anything I say in this song okay? ….Don’t blame me white America…F*ck Bill O’Reily” and jumps straight into a musical rage.
   
However, Goblin isn’t all terror, horrorcore and bloodshed ladies and gentlemen. The second single “She” featuring Odd Future’s own Frank Ocean, is a very nice and yet strange, love story of sorts told by Tyler. Although it is teeming with sexual innuendos and slightly comical banter from Tyler, Frank’s vocals and the production ultimately create the perfect combination.  Some of the most graphically violent, misogynistic and yet most intelligently orchestrated tracks, are “Transylvania”, “Nightmare” and “Tron Cat”, proof of Tyler’s lyrical ability to show vulnerability and anger all in one snap. On the last of the aforementioned he boasts, “rape a pregnant b*tch and tell my friends I had a threesome”, the most disturbing of all the lines I’ve heard on the entire project.
    
On the radical yet sinfully clever “Sandwitches” featuring Hodgy Beats, Tyler descends deeper into the darkness, talking about punching a woman in the stomach to induce abortion and Ellen Degeneres all while the hook chants “Wolf Gang” over and over. On “Fish” we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of plot for a rape,  a few actually in the first verse, an uncomfortable yet well composed track. “Her” is yet another haunting love profession showing the layers of the Creator, and continuing on that theme we have the deliciously sexual “Analog” featuring Hodgy Beats.
   
Less impressive to me, is the mediocre “B*tch Suck Dick” featuring Jasper & Taco,  which is clearly overshadowed by the beautifully produced “Window”, a supposed intervention for Tyler, put together by his therapist and features Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats and Mike G. “Golden” is an honest account of the Creator’s life and emotional conflicts, preceded by the pulsating instrumental, “AU79”, the closest thing you’ll get to a break on the whole album. The deluxe version of Goblin features three bonus tracks: “Burger” featuring Hodgy Beats, the instrumental, “Untitled 63” and “Steak Sauce”, all worth the extra $2.00.
   
As I said before, when listening to this particular body of work, it is imperative maintain an open mind. The way I see it, there are two sides to Tyler on Goblin, the violently brash and outspoken MC and the psychologically vulnerable teenager, you just have to listen between the lines. Can I see the similarities between him and  early Slim Shady? Yes, but let’s not do the easy comparison thing. I believe that the development of Tyler and all of Odd Future will be an interesting one and between Goblin and of course, Nostalgia/Ultra by Frank Ocean, I think we’re in for one hell of a ride.

Can’t get enough of:
“She” featuring Frank Ocean
“Nightmare”
“Analog” featuring Hodgy Beats
“Window” featuring Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats and Mike G
“Burger” featuring Hodgy Beats [BONUS]

Download: Tyler, The Creator – Goblin via iTunes

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Bonus: Here is the video for the lead single, “Yonkers”: