“Boredom” never sounded better than in the hands of Tyler, the Creator.  “Boredom” serves as the third single from his fourth album, ‘Flower Boy.’

Tyler, the Creator is both predictable and unpredictable.  With a Tyler, the Creator album, one expects awesome production work that incorporates jazz, underground elements, as some contemporary cues.  Also expected are hardnosed, unapologetic rhymes from the MC which often cross the line.  What’s unpredictable is what he’s going to say, or, what direction he’s going to go. “Boredom,” the third single from his fourth album, Scum F*ck Flower Boy, provides another piece of the puzzle.

The beginning of “Boredom” doesn’t involve Tyler, the Creator – save for the production of course.  The performers at the beginning include Rex Orange County, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Anna of the North.  The bulk of the vocals are handled by Rex Orange County, who has quite a unique sound.  Essentially, over the course of an intro, hook, and verse, they set up the boredom.  That said, how can there be boredom if you’re singing “Find some time / Find some time to do something?”

Tyler, the Creator finally enters the fold on the second verse.  After eight iterations of the word boredom, he gets to business as usual.  He is bored here, by his own admission.

“Boy, my bedroom floor is a cereal burial, I’m serious / I ate ‘em all, dry boxes, bodies, yeah I caught ‘em / If we’re talkin’ ‘bout real meal, ask my stomach, he ain’t saw ‘em / I’ve been in this f*ckin’ room so long / My eyeballs are turning to dry wall.”

All that’s lovely and twisted, but where things have gotten interesting is further into the verse.  Tyler claims his friends don’t call or hang out with him anymore.  He raps:

“What the f*ck is the problem? Is it me / ‘Cause I’m not solved, I’m bored.”

What does “not solved” mean? Based on the noise surrounding a leak of the album, it’s potentially a reference to Tyler, the Creator coming out.  That’s for a different article at a different time.  On his next verse, he continues to depict his boredom, hunger, and essentially, going mad. Tyler, joined by the supporting cast close things out.  It’s no rush, as the jazzy, lush, production work is shortchanged over the five-and-a-half-minute duration.

Final Thoughts 

Once more, Tyler, the Creator delivers a gem.  “Boredom” manages to blend the beautiful and the grimy together seamlessly.  As unapologetic as Tyler is, he truly shows his versatility musically here.  Unfortunately, will his sexuality or rumors about his sexuality overshadow Flower Boy ultimately? 

Tyler, the Creator • Flower Boy • Columbia • Release: 7.21.17

Photo Credit: Columbia