It Gets Better: Tyler, the Creator’s ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale’ Review

American rapper and producer Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, released “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale” on March 31. The album is composed of all the tracks from his 2021 album, “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” plus an additional eight tracks that did not make it onto the original album. “The Estate Sale” acts as a post-album EP, continuing the themes and storylines of the original album. The return of DJ Drama’s iconic ad libs only add to the album’s powerful flow. Fans thought “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” was a perfect album. With “The Estate Sale,” it gets better.

On the first track, “EVERYTHING MUST GO,” Tyler introduces the B-side of “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” and thanks fans for their support during his most recent tour. “Thank you to every ear that listened, bought a ticket, whatever / Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The next track, “STUNTMAN,” is like a shot of espresso. Featuring Vince Staples, the perfect combination of his and Tyler’s flow, DJ Drama’s signature shouting, and the classic Tyler synths in the mix force listeners to bop their heads. Lyrics like “No, you can’t be my girl, bitch, are you dumb?” add a chaotic and aggressive energy to the song which nicely contrasts the next track, “WHAT A DAY.”

“WHAT A DAY” has a calm, melodic feel to it, as Tyler subtly flexes his wealth and reflects on his goals and ambitions. He shouts out Black women, thanking those who raised him.

WANG$AP is reunited on “WHARF TALK” with A$AP Rocky’s feature. Tyler tweeted that this was his favorite track, and listeners might agree. Rocky’s flow works incredibly well over the beat, bringing a bright, summery energy to the song.

“DOGTOOTH” is a potential fan favorite, bringing together Tyler’s impeccable wordplay and hard-hitting consistency. The synths in the backtrack only elevate the catchy lyrical cadences of the song. And with lyrics like “​​ring, ring, ring, bitch, pick up the phone / I don’t care if y’all together, I will tear down a home,” Tyler ties back to the themes of infidelity from “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.”

The next track, “HEAVEN TO ME,” opens with a sample from John Legend’s 2006 song “Heaven.” Tyler tenderly reflects on the trajectory of his life and career with lyrics like “[he] didn’t have much but for certain, [he] had a dream”, and now his life is “heaven 24/7.”

“BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND” is listed as a 2020 demo and features rapper YG. The song is fun and unserious, as Tyler lets his humorous personality shine through with lines like, “Yeah-yeah-yeah, you got me stuck like glue / Yeah you got a girlfriend, shit, I’ll fuck her too, true.”

In the last track, “SORRY NOT SORRY,” Tyler is vulnerable. He apologizes for everything he thinks is wrong with him, while also recognizing the universality of the feelings of inadequacy. “Another era is upon us,” DJ Drama says at the end before shouting “We gone!” in the same way he did on “SAFARI,” the last track of “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST,” bringing the B-side full circle.

Overall, “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale” is truly impressive. Not every artist can claim that even their leftovers are bangers, but Tyler, the Creator can. If Tyler sticks to his two-year album release schedule, then there’s a lot to be getting excited for sometime this summer.

—Staff writer Najya S. Gause can be reached at najya.gause@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter at @najyagause.