Tyler, The Creator - IGOR [Gatefold] (LP) Vinyl

IGOR is the album Tyler, the Creator released on 17 May 2019 through Columbia Records, following Flower Boy (2017). He produced it on his own and arranged it himself, and the record labels carry the single line "ALL SONGS WRITTEN, PRODUCED AND ARRANGED BY TYLER OKONMA".

The Album

Stylised in all capitals, IGOR steps away from the rapping that defined Tyler's earlier records in favour of synthesisers, low-mixed vocals and neo soul melodies, blending hip-hop, funk, contemporary R&B and pop. The songs follow a narrative of a love triangle, with the comedian Jerrod Carmichael narrating short linking lines as the story moves from infatuation through jealousy to the aftermath of a breakup. The title character follows the Gothic Igor archetype, the villain's assistant, and stands for a darker and more detached side of Tyler that surfaces as the record turns. "EARFQUAKE" was the album's only single and reached number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Recording

Work began in 2017. The album was recorded mainly in California, at Conway Studios, Shangri-La in Malibu, Coldwater Studios, Westlake Studios, Chalice Recording Studios and Paramount Recording Studios, with further sessions at O'Sheila Studios in Atlanta and at Villa Batell on Lake Como in Italy. "EARFQUAKE" was written first for Justin Bieber and then offered to Rihanna, both of whom turned it down, and "I THINK" was cut at Lake Como with Solange. Neal Pogue mixed the album at The Mix Room and Mike Bozzi mastered it at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Solange, Kanye West, Charlie Wilson, Santigold, CeeLo Green, La Roux, Ryan Beatty, Slowthai and Pharrell Williams all appear, none of them credited on the sleeve.

Artwork

The front sleeve is a high contrast, photocopied portrait of Tyler on flat pink, the credit line set in small type along the bottom edge. The rear is the same pink with the blocky IGOR logo across the centre. Opening the gatefold reveals the photograph of Tyler in the blonde bowl cut wig, black sunglasses and pale pink suit that became the album's visual signature. Photography is credited to Luis "Panch" Perez and Sam Rock.

This Pressing

This is the single 12 inch LP in a gatefold sleeve, issued on Columbia through Sony Music under catalogue number 19075965221 and made in the EU. The gatefold cover includes a poster. Lacquers were cut by Scott Stratton at Bernie Grundman Mastering and the record was pressed by Optimal Media GmbH. Twelve tracks run six to a side on plain black vinyl with the red, cream and pale blue Columbia labels. The physical edition differs from the streaming version at track four: it is titled "BOYFRIEND", and the short interlude "EXACTLY WHAT YOU RUN FROM YOU END UP CHASING" is appended to the end of it, taking the running time to 43:29.

Reception

IGOR entered the US Billboard 200 at number one with 165,000 album-equivalent units, Tyler's first American number one, and reached number four on the UK Albums Chart. It holds a Metacritic score of 81 based on 18 reviews. It won Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards, Tyler's first Grammy, was named the best album of 2019 by Complex and placed second on NME's list for the year, and was certified platinum in the UK by the BPI in 2025.

Track Listing

Side A
1. IGOR'S THEME
2. EARFQUAKE
3. I THINK
4. BOYFRIEND
5. RUNNING OUT OF TIME
6. NEW MAGIC WAND

Side B
1. A BOY IS A GUN*
2. PUPPET
3. WHAT'S GOOD
4. GONE, GONE / THANK YOU
5. I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE
6. ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?