Offensive, outlandish and genius sum up Tyler, The Creator, the leader of the rap collective Odd Future. Delay after delay pushed back the release of “Wolf,” his latest album, to the point I didn’t believe it would ever be released. Then, Tuesday arrived and so did “Wolf.”
After my first listen, I was not the biggest fan. It seemed weird for a Tyler album. But, after playing it more times, I conclude that “Wolf” is his best album yet.
You’re not going to hear “Tron Cat 2,” “Yonkers 2” — thank God — or “Sandwitches 2” on “Wolf.” The album sounds a lot more like his first album, “Bastard.”
Even though he said his most recent album would focus more on the beats than the lyrics, Tyler’s words in “Wolf” are some of his strongest yet. In the song “Colossus,” he attacks the “Yonkers” fans who arrived after his roach-eating music video became an MTV staple.
The beats are uberperfect, because the word perfect doesn’t do them justice. In classic Odd Future fashion, they are laid-back and relaxed. Tyler produced the album with original beats instead of the rehashed sounds one would hear on a Lil Wayne album.
There are a number of featured artists on the album including Earl Sweatshirt’s long-awaited return and appearances by Taco, Jasper Dolphin and L-Boy, stars of the Odd Future TV show, “Loiter Squad.” Casey Veggies, who is an ex-Odd Future member, returns, as well.
There is a massive number of offensive lyrics in “Wolf.” Tyler attacks his dad, talks about the woman he stalked for three albums and still calls everyone “f----t.”
In the end, it deserves six stars out of five. It’s Tyler’s best album and competes for the best overall Odd Future album, which “Radicals” has at present.
If you’re an Odd Future fan, “Wolf” will satisfy the thirst you have had since Tyler first hinted at it. If you’re new to Odd Future, you’ll appreciate the mastery that is Tyler, The Creator.
