Tyler, The Creator

Goblin

XL Recording/Rhythmethod

Tyler, The Creator is now 20, he was 19 when he made this, his second full-lengther.

It includes contributions from Left Brain, also a member of Odd Future; a sort of Wu-Tang Clan-lite that rides entirely on shock value. Recent headlines have it that the group’s invitation to the Auckland leg of the Big Day Out has been revoked due to homophobic and misogynistic lyrical content. Some people have cried out that this is a Freedom of Speech issue. But the lyrical tone and indeed the actual sound of Tyler’s Goblin album makes you wonder why the Insane Clown Posse has not yet won a Pulitzer.

This is shock-value at its worst – because for a start there’s no value. This is low self-esteem music, written from a child acting like a child. There’s nothing ironic or clever here – no justification that there is any authentic or satirical depiction that could excuse it. This is the musical equivalent of a snuff movie. Ironic that people so taken in by the alleged shock value are acting, well, shocked that offensive music might actually cause offense. There’s nothing to see (or hear) here. Move on.