With almost no heads up, Tyler, the Creator unleashed his ninth studio album on the world on Monday.
The 10-track project, titled Don’t Tap The Glass, was initially teased at Tyler’s Brooklyn show on Friday, where he had “Don’t Tap the Glass” exhibits scattered around New York. One of them was located at the Oculus at the World Trade Center and at Barclays Center. Additionally, Don’t Tap The Glass marks Tyler, the Creator’s second album in less than a year. 2024’s CHROMAKOPIA hit streaming services back in October, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 299,000 album-equivalent units earned in its incomplete first tracking week. It was also ranked as the Billboard staff’s No. 7 favorite album of the year.
This time around, Tyler included strict instructions alongside the album’s release, saying people need to dance and move to the project and put away their phones.
“I just got back from a listening party for this album and man was it one of the greatest nites of my life,” Tyler wrote on Instagram. “30 people. No phones allowed. No cameras. Just speakers and a sweatbox. Everyone was dancing. Moving. Expressing. Sweating. It was truly beautiful. I played the album front to back twice. It felt like that pent up energy finally got released and we craved the idea of letting more of it out…This album was not made for sitting still. Dancing. Driving. Running. Any type of movement is recommended to maybe understand the spirit of it.”
The instructions are warranted, as Tyler’s latest LP is a rambunctious and funky compilation of dance tracks, perfectly curated for summertime’s outdoor functions. Thematically, the album is just as lighthearted, with Tyler using the project’s spread to mostly call out the “weirdos” and haters that have polluted his life. So as Tyler demands his fans hit the dance floor and sweat it out, here is Billboard‘s ranking of every song on Felicia the Goat’s latest LP.
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“Mommanem”
While “Mommanem” is the perfect gear up for “Stop Playing With Me,” the beat of the former is so sick I found myself pining for a heavy bass drop before its end. Unfortunately, that drop never came, which in an album filled with this many good vibes admittedly made me feel a little sad.
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“Tell Me What It Is”
“Tell Me What It Is” is a fittingly bittersweet closer to Tyler’s frenetic Don’t Tap the Glass. The closing track feels almost like an emotional cooldown from the exuberant highs of the project. With a soft percussion serving as his backbone, Tyler pivots away from flexing to ask the bigger questions like: “Why can’t I fall in love?” As the rapper pens a sentimental send-off for the fans that made sure not to tap the glass too hard, he reminds everyone that while this project was all fun and games, vulnerability is what offers the greatest relief at the end of it all. “Tell Me What It Is,” in that regard, feels like a well-earned exhale.
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“I’ll Take Care of You”
As we approach the album’s end, “I’ll Take Care Of You” allows space for Tyler to speak his mind for a moment. “Wait a minute, I’m goin’ through some s—t/ I can tell it’s not beginning to work,” Tyler croons in the background over rumbling bass, almost as if he forgot. As the song bobs and weaves along, it’s a perfect interlude before the closing track.
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“Don’t You Worry Baby”
It’s worth noting that Tyler pulled heavily from the funky sound of The Neptunes and Pharrell Williams on this album, and on “Don’t You Worry Baby” those influences are front and center. Daisy World does her thing on the glossy track, with Tyler taking a step back and layering up his synths, drums and more to make the song feel out of this world.
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“Don’t Tap That Glass / Tweakin’”
Diving back into his rap bag, “Don’t Tap That Glass” and “Tweakin’” are adrenaline-filled tracks filled with memorable bars like “You ain’t gotta lie, we can smell the Ozempic” and “That thrill is right on me like hee-hee.” Tyler fired off dozens more, and the result is a welcomed breather from the dance-heavy formula of the rest of the album.
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“Ring Ring Ring”
“Ring Ring Ring” arrives at the perfect point in Don’t Tap The Glass. Swapping out the bass-heavy rowdiness of the previous tracks, “Ring Ring Ring” adds a splash of funk and house to the mix. Tyler effortlessly glides along here, pining for his lover to just answer the phone. It’s sleek and smooth and unbelievably catchy.
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“Big Poe”
Tyler taps back into his sly and devilish ways right off the jump with “Big Poe.” This intro track sets the tone of the album perfectly, with Tyler laying down some slick bars about how the corny people need to settle down, all while Busta Rhymes and Pharrell pop out to add even more hype to the moment.
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“Sucka Free”
The phrase “I’m that guy” has been on repeat in my head since the first listen of “Sucka Free.” Another track meant to inspire confidence in its listener, Tyler advocates for “tryna stay sucker free” all summer long. It’s a timeless message, and “Sucka Free” reminds us it’s okay to feel like “that guy” despite our collective struggles.
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“Sugar on My Tongue”
After the braggadocios energy of “Big Poe,” Tyler keeps his foot on the gas with “Sugar On My Tongue.” The song’s intergalactic synths and rumbling 808s make it poised to dominate summertime gatherings, and Tyler offers some truly freaky bars to match the vibe. “Sugar on My Tongue” is exuberant, and most importantly, fun.
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“Stop Playing With Me”
In an album that explores house and funk, Tyler becomes a master of his element on “Stop Playing With Me.” The beat is tight, the hook is catchy, and Tyler sounds as mischievous as ever. While Don’t Tap the Glass kept me moving and grooving, “Stop Playing With Me” adds a welcomed dose of ravenous energy to the rave. Similar to how “Sticky” knocked me off my feet first listen, “Stop Playing With Me” will undoubtedly cause fans to go feral at the function.