Top-loaded with impenetrable stabs at noise-rock-infused rap, Cherry Bomb is a frustrating exhibition of musicality mired in Tyler, the Creator’s contrary sensibility. His “no rules” outlook manifests itself in incomprehensible songs like Deathcamp that recall the fuzzed-out guitar riffs and percussive stomps of late-90s Marilyn Manson.
But then Find Your Wings takes a stranger turn: an outta-nowhere jazz jam featuring renowned vibraphone player Roy Ayers that melts into a motivational R&B anthem. It’s clear, earnest and possibly Tyler trolling everyone with a respite before the nightmarish techno-punk of the Atari Teenage Riot-aping title track. His buried-in-the-mix shock raps are complemented by hardcore sex cuts like Blow My Load, interstitial comedy bits and the murky 2Seater, which contains a coda about “listening to Mac DeMarco.”
There’s Stevie Wonder tenderness within the production and, at least partially, the content of the May-December love song Fucking Young/Perfect. And uncredited raps by Kanye West and Lil Wayne make Smuckers intriguing. Cherry Bomb is rarely rewarding, but there are instances where this obnoxious fuck has clearly put some thought into what he’s doing.
Top track: The Brown Stains Of Darkeese Latifah Part 6-12 (Remix), featuring Schoolboy Q
