Igor (album)


Igor is the fifth studio album by American rapper Tyler, the Creator, released on May 17, 2019, through A Boy is a Gun and distributed by Columbia Records. Produced entirely by Tyler, the album follows the 2017 release of Flower Boy. It features guest appearances from Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Solange, Kanye West, and Jerrod Carmichael, along with backing vocals from Santigold, Jessy Wilson, La Roux, CeeLo Green, Charlie Wilson, Slowthai, and Pharrell, among others.
Igor received widespread acclaim from critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming Tyler's first US number-one album. The album's lead single "Earfquake" became Tyler's highest-charting US Billboard Hot 100 single, peaking at number 13. It won Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

Background and recording

Work on the album began in 2017, with Tyler initially writing the song "Earfquake" for Canadian singer Justin Bieber and Barbadian singer Rihanna, who both turned down the song. The song "I Think" was recorded in Lake Como, Italy with the help of American singers Solange, whose vocals feature on the track, and Frank Ocean. Tyler wrote "Running Out of Time" while taking a break from a recording session with American rapper ASAP Ferg, feeling reassured after Kendrick Lamar told Tyler he appreciated his singing. Tyler produced the beat for "Gone, Gone" in 2013 while on tour for his second studio album Wolf, choosing to scrap the song from both Cherry Bomb and Flower Boy since he didn't feel it fit either of those albums.
In an interview with Fantastic Man for their Autumn and Winter 2018 issue, Tyler was asked if he had ever been in love, to which he replied "I don't want to talk about that. Um, that's the next record." In October 2018, Tyler previewed the song "Running Out of Time" for an interview with Fast Company.
On April 26, 2019, a supplemental financial report from Sony revealed that a new album from Tyler was expected by the end of June. In early May 2019, Tyler released snippets for the tracks "Igor's Theme" and "What's Good". The album was first announced by Tyler through his social media accounts on May 6, 2019.

Composition

Rolling Stone writer Danny Schwartz described Igor as a "rich and messy mélange of R&B, funk and rap". The album is synth-heavy, with neo soul melodies and low-mixed vocals.

Themes and narrative

The album follows a narrative of a love triangle where Tyler is seeing a man who is also seeing a woman who is pulling him away from Tyler. American comedian Jerrod Carmichael serves as the album's narrator as it progresses, speaking short lines to make sense of Tyler's and the title character Igor's state of mind. Carmichael first appears on the album's fourth track "Exactly What You Run from You End Up Chasing".
The character Igor is mentioned by name on the tracks "Igor's Theme" and "What's Good". Igor follows the Gothic "Igor" archetype as a villain's assistant and represents a darker, apathetic side of Tyler that comes out. Igor arrives after Tyler pours out all of his heart for his love interest, though his love interest remains focused on his ex-girlfriend. The arrival of Igor serves as a reset for the strong romantic emotions Tyler was entangled in during the album's first half.

Promotion

A music video for the song, "Earfquake", was released alongside the album's release on May 17, 2019. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on June 4, 2019, as the album's lead single in the United States. On June 3, 2019, Tyler announced his forthcoming tour for the album, which was supported by Jaden Smith, Blood Orange, and GoldLink.

Video album

On August 14, 2019, Apple Music released the video album Apple Music Presents: Tyler, the Creator. The album is a collection of eleven videos recorded from Tyler's first live performance of Igor, performed in May 2019.

Critical reception

Igor was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 81, based on 18 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.9 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. Album of the Year assessed the critical consensus as 85 out of 100, based on 21 reviews.
Roisin O'Connor of The Independent gave a positive review, stating "The production here is superb. Tyler has never been one for traditional song structure, but on IGOR he's like the Minotaur luring you through a maze that twists and turns around seemingly impossible corners, drawing you into the thrilling unknown.... This is Tyler's best work to date." Andy Kellman of AllMusic said, "Tyler and a motorcade's worth of supporting vocalists fulfill the promise and threat with what plays out, a creatively vital and emotionally heartsick set with as much pain, vulnerability, and compulsion as a classic soul LP." Danial Spielberger of HipHopDX saying "On IGOR, Tyler showcases a more polished iteration of the hazy pop he's been perfecting for years. Though some might be disappointed that he's becoming more of a singer than a rapper, this is the kind of project that should encourage more artists to disavow labels and relish in taking risks." Rolling Stone critic Danny Schwartz said, "Igor is a heartfelt album that finds Tyler lowering his guard and revealing himself to be a shape-shifting artist who is still growing, and who has fully shed his skin as a vulgar internet cowboy." Sam Moore of NME stated: "IGOR is an accomplished and evergreen record that's well worth putting your phone down, turning the TV off and devoting your full attention span to." Clashs Nick Rosebade wrote, "The trademark visceral beats, scathing lyrics and the general feeling of anger and aggression that peppered his previous albums have been replaced with slower beats and irresistible soul hooks. At first this change in tone, and pace, is jarring and you are waiting for it to kick off, but as the album progresses you get into it and dig this new Tyler."
Reviewing the album for Sputnikmusic, Rowan5215 stated "IGOR is not by any means Tyler's best work, and at times deliberately plays against his strengths in order to keep the listener off-guard—this pays dividends in the stunning "I THINK" and "A BOY IS A GUN", less so on the repetitive and cloying "RUNNING OUT OF TIME" and "ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?". What it is, though, is a form of ragged beat-tape minimalist that Tyler wears extremely well." In a mixed review, The Guardians Dean Van Nguyen stated: "It's is no bad thing that Igor downplays Tyler's indomitable personality – but the writing and execution do not quite replace what has been lost. What's left is a fine showcase of ingenuity that too rarely burrows very far into your consciousness."

Accolades

YearCeremonyCategoryResult
2019BET Hip Hop AwardsAlbum of the Year
2020Grammy AwardsBest Rap Album

Commercial performance

Igor debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 165,000 album-equivalent units, of which 74,000 were pure album sales. It is Tyler's first US number-one album.

Track listing

All tracks produced by Tyler, the Creator. Credits adapted from Tidal and liner notes.
Notes
Samples
Credits adapted from Tidal and liner notes.

Musicians

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications