The Earvin Edit

Tyler, The Creator is back less than a year after Chromakopia with a surprise follow-up that once again arrived on a Monday. The quick turnaround caught fans off guard but generated enormous amounts of hype.

Written by Earvin Adjei

Tyler refuses to take his foot off the gas. With DON’T TAP THE GLASS, he urges listeners to drop expectations and simply enjoy the music—so that’s exactly what I did.

The Good:

This album is pure fun and packed with energy from start to finish. On the intro track, Big Poe, Tyler lays down the ground rules: body movement, no sitting still, leave your baggage at home, and don’t tap the glass. Do we really know what all of that means? Not entirely, but it’s provocative; it gets the people going! At its core, DON’T TAP THE GLASS is built for movement. If chaos is what you’re after, turn to Big Poe or Stop Playing With Me. If you’re in the mood for a disco-inspired dance track, look no further than Sugar on My Tongue or Ring Ring Ring. If you want a sunny-sounding serotonin-inducing groove, Sucka Free is right there. And this is Tyler, The Creator after all, so yes, there are songs like Don’t You Worry Baby and I’ll Take Care of You that channel that emotional lovey-dovey energy. No matter the mood, this album meets the moment.

In an interview with Hot 97, Tyler explained why he chose to release this album so soon after Chromakopia. He spoke about working quickly, not overthinking the process, and prioritizing fun over perfection. He decided to put the art out rather than spending years trying to innovate. His spontaneous decision pays off here. The concise 10-track runtime feels intentional, with each song standing strong on its own while still meshing seamlessly with the rest.

Final Verdict:

DON’T TAP THE GLASS is short, sweet, and refreshing at a time when hip-hop can feel creatively stagnant. Tyler delivers once again, reminding listeners why he remains one of the genre’s most passionate and imaginative artists. This album doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is, and that’s exactly why it works. 5 out of 5 stars.