Songs of the Week: Tyler, the Creator and FKA twigs Build Out Their New Concept Albums with Poise

The post Songs of the Week: Tyler, the Creator and FKA twigs Build Out Their New Concept Albums with Poise appeared first on Consequence .

Every week, Consequence’ s Songs of the Week column looks at great new tunes from the last seven days and analyzes notable releases. Find our new favorites and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for other great songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, FKA twigs and Tyler, the Creator offer windows into their intriguing new eras.

Tyler’s Dust-Tinted Tease

Tyler, the Creator is back with a new era and a new record, CHROMAKOPIA . The follow-up to 2021’s great CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is just around the corner, arriving October 28th, and as a preview, the enigmatic artist has shared a brand new track — or did he?

Honestly, we’re not sure. Tyler certainly released something , an 84-second video titled “ST. CHROMA,” but as of now, it’s unclear if it’s a full track, an album intro, or merely a teaser for what’s to come. Regardless of what it ultimately turns out to be, it’s quite a compelling taste from the ever-evolving rapper.

Get Camp Flog Gnaw Tickets Here

Tyler, the Creator is no stranger to high-concept music. Be it his early days of controversy, the wide appeal of Flower Boy , or the lovesick narrative of IGOR , each of his projects have their own respective visual and sonic vibes. Even CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST , which was relatively more straightforward than the projects that preceded it, had ongoing DJ Drama narration scattered throughout the tracklist. For the upcoming CHROMAKOPIA, “ST. CHROMA” seems to hint at yet another new world.

Featuring whispered verses over grainy, monochromatic footage of Tyler (?) in a mask, “ST. CHROMA,” like any good teaser, comes with more questions than answers. Though delivered like he’s pissed off in a library, Tyler’s bars are confident, pointed, and come across like the ambitious beginnings of a protagonist who’s about to go through quite the rise and fall. Then, Daniel Caesar comes in to wrap things up before it all suddenly comes to a close.

What’s it all mean? Some dedicated fans have theories , but it’s anybody’s guess until the 28th. Till then, we’re on the edge of our seats.

Jonah Kreuger
Editorial Coordinator

FKA twigs’ “Perfect Stranger” Bursts with Desire

FKA twigs’ new Eusexua era arrives weightlessly. Both songs released thus far, the title track and this week’s sublime new single  “Perfect Stranger,” are flushed with desire and fleeting, sensitive sonics; she pairs her feathery voice with tightly-coiled drum sounds, rapid tempos, and unceasing momentum. In the world of Eusexua so far, there’s no sad crying at the rave — only happy tears.

But where “Eusexua” played more with tension and atmosphere, “Perfect Stranger” is a poppier, clubbier turn for FKA twigs. She evokes dancing with a stranger in a crowded club, the beauty of losing yourself to anonymity while exploring a physical, instinctual kind of intimacy in real time. She doesn’t mind not knowing details about her dance partner’s life, deeming them to be “beautiful” and “perfect” and “worth it” just the way they are in the moment.

Many pop stars have written this story before, but none of them have FKA twigs’ acute sonic language. She aches across the track, crooning in her lower register while doubling the same melodies an octave higher. The way she tumbles into the chorus with gushing praises toward her partner suggests that she’d do anything to stay in this moment, each chord change swelling with desperate desire.

It’d be a great song with one final chorus landing in the same fashion as the prior two, but twigs reprises the same move from “Eusexua” and adds a true climax to “Perfect Stranger.” With just 30 seconds left, the drums go double time, the synths rapidly syncopate around snare hits, and her breathy voice huffs out her final requests: “Let’s love in what’s unspoken/ Let’s stay right here unbroken.” It’s thrilling.

— Paolo Ragusa
Associate Editor

Staff Picks: Best Songs of the Week October 12th – October 18th

aldn — “Get Us Out of Here”

Leave it to aldn to never make two songs that sound the same. On his last song “Icantbelieveiletyougetaway,” he processed the end of a relationship with fireworks, grungy guitars, and a bruised ego; now, on “get us out of here,” the only thing left is that grungy guitar sound. Instead he’s a smooth-crooning playboy, winning over his love interest with “Dior and diamonds,” a pocketful of cash, syrupy synths, and a whole lot of reverb. He sounds truly radiant, the atmosphere in the mix highlighting his pure, unbroken singing voice and his undeniable skill behind the boards. Dissonance, anger, and hurt have all been accessible tools for aldn — but he sounds particularly enchanting when he lets the light in. — P. Ragusa

Anxious — “Counting Sheep”

Anxious is set to return with their sophomore effort, Bambi , early in 2025, and as the first taste of the new album, the band has dropped the intensely catchy “Counting Sheep.” Propulsive and oh-so-hooky, the tune almost sounds like something Jade Lilitri of Oso Oso would write if he spent his free time petitioning for Title Fight to get back together. Suffice it to say, it fucking rips.  — J. Krueger

Danny Brown — “Keep It to Me”

The deluxe version of Danny Brown’s sprawling LP Quaranta arrives with “Keep It to Me,” a swirling and anxiety-inducing confessional. “Traits of an alcoholic, drink ’til I can’t think/ Sinking low on a brim, don’t ask me shit,” he grumbles over a throbbing beat. According to a statement, Brown originally planned to include the song as one of the closers on Quaranta but replaced it at the last minute with “Shakedown,” for fear that this option would be too dark. Ultimately, though, the vulnerability shines through, making it a welcome addition to his canon. — Mary Siroky

Deb Never — “Not in Love”

The newest track from indie singer Deb Never, with its slow and low atmosphere, captures repression and loneliness. Never gives her alto voice to a mumbling quality, underscoring the emotions of suppressed love, instead of just describing them. In the accompanying music video, a fire burns as the backdrop for her vocals, offering a visual representation of what it feels like to have to turn away from something that could be important. — Rachel Rosenfield

DITZ — “Space/Smile”

Along with the announcement of their new album Never Exhale , UK punks DITZ have shared the scorching, build-and-burst cut “Space/Smile.” The song’s central groove burns like chemical fire, slowly growing into more dangerous shapes as the band trucks along. It’s both fun and alarming, the dissonance of their guitars and synths edging against drummer Sam Evans’ floor tom romp. In just under 2 minutes, DITZ have conjured quite the spell. — P. Ragusa

Ducks Ltd — “Grim Symmetry”

“Grim Symmetry” was originally written for the Canadian duo’s debut album and ultimately shelved for their sophomore project, Harm’s Way , but what a welcome addition it makes here. Vibrant and upbeat, “Grim Symmetry” also offers thought-provoking lyrics: “These sneaking feelings won’t keep quiet/  but I will try because I fear/ It get less clear, the more it is explained.” A modern pop melody is balanced with themes and a beat that could have existed decades ago, making the overall track feel somewhat timeless. — R. Rosenfield

gladie — “Digging a Pond”

Philadelphia outfit Gladie have a knack for writing deeply satisfying indie rock tunes, and their latest, “Digging a Pond,” is no exception. Playing it patient, the band gives the floor to vocalist Augusta Koch for nearly a minute, slowly building tension before drums and bass join in to support Koch’s tuneful melody and rhythm guitar. From there the energy continues to grow, resulting in a climax complete with crashing drums, tremolo-picked guitar lines, and a surprisingly restrained vocal performance. — J. Krueger

Greet Death — “Same but Different Now”

Underground shoegaze/slowcore (slowgaze? shoecore?) trailblazers Greet Death are back for the first time since their excellent 2022 EP New Low with a brand new, surprisingly raucous anthem, “Same but Different Now.” Over the course of five and a half minutes, the tune transitions from the hazy vibes of washed-out arpeggios and ghostly vocals to the blood-pumping catharsis of aggressive guitar chugs and guttural screaming, all while maintaining one of the highest tempos of any Greet Death number. Let’s hope there’s more where this came from. — J. Krueger

Guy Gerber, Desire — “In a Manner of Speaking”

Israeli underground techno DJ Guy Gerber recruits ’80s-esque synth-pop band Desire for his latest single – a sonic odyssey that instantly transports its listener to a dimly lit underground club in Berlin. Desire’s Megan Louise elevates the track with her distinctive synthwave vocals, pairing seamlessly with Guy Gerber’s haunting soundscape. — Nicolle Periola

High Vis — “Guided Tour”

High Vis have returned with their terrific third record Guided Tour today, and the title track is undoubtedly one of the album’s finest moments. This is a band that oscillates between being viscerally present and stuck in a hazy fantasy; “Guided Tour” is a perfect combination of both, jamming crystalline Britpop guitar lines with shout-along lyrics about being someone’s guiding light. The band takes a lot of risks on Guided Tour , but its opening title track finds them right at home. — P. Ragusa

Lambrini Girls — “Big Dick Energy”

Brighton-based punk duo Lambrini Girls, comprised of Phoebe Lunny (vocals/guitar) and Lilly Macieira (bass), continue to pave the way for a modern resurgence of the riot grrrl movement with their brand-new track “Big Dick Energy.” The duo confronts toxic masculinity head-on as Lunny poses the provocative question, “how big is that dick in reality?“ Spoiler alert: “It’s not that big.” — N. Periola

Pauli the PSM — “Handsome”

Take a load off with this playful new track from UK-based artist Pauli Lovejoy, who performs under the moniker Pauli the PSM. Bouncy and affirming, “Handsome” is an ode to self love that feels realistic, rather than put-on; it’s not always easy to give ourselves grace, but it feels a bit more possible under Pauli’s direction. He has made a name for himself as the musical director for Harry Styles — he notably managed “LOVE ON TOUR” — in addition to work with folks like FKA twigs and Maggie Rogers. This song is proof that he shines just as much in the spotlight as he clearly has behind the scenes. — M. Siroky

Song of the Week Artwork:

Tyler, the Creator's "St. Chroma" Artwork FKA twigs' "Perfect Stranger" Artwork aldn's "get u out of here" Artwork Anxious' "Counting Sheep" Artwork Danny Brown's "Keep It To Me Artwork Deb Never's "Not In Love" Artwork Ditz' "Space/Smile" Artwork Duck Ltd "Grim Symmetry" Artwork gladie' "Digging a Pond" Artwork Greet Death' "Same But Different Now" Artwork Guy Gerber + Desire's "In a Manner of Speaking" Artwork High Vis' "Guided Tour" Artwork Lambrini Girls' Big Dick Energy Artwork Pauli the PSM's "Handsome" Artwork

Song of the Week Playlist:

Songs of the Week: Tyler, the Creator and FKA twigs Build Out Their New Concept Albums with Poise
Consequence Staff