Tyler, The Creator’s “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” is a wild, feel-good dance explosion.
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TOP 5
5. Don’t Tap That Glass / Tweakin’
I’m still getting used to hearing Tyler, The Creator talk this much sh*t in his music. He’s definitely cranked up that cocky, unfiltered energy a few notches. On the opening moments of “Don’t Tap The Glass”—set to a menacing, upbeat, and elaborate dance beat—Tyler flexes unapologetically. He boasts about the b*tches in his life, the stacks in his pockets, and how he’s the one who called out the fake thugs before it was trendy. While the chorus may be repetitive, it’s catchy as hell, and his flow over the chaotic instrumental feels effortless—like he’s strutting through the beat in a fur coat with gold teeth, grinning.
Then the track takes a turn—suddenly the vibe shifts into a more sinister, dystopian space filled with glitchy synths that sound like a robot uprising. Tyler adapts quickly, letting his flow jump between calm and frantic, sometimes stringing bars together in a way that feels disconnected but intentional, almost like he’s glitching out with the beat. Overall, the song is chaotic, unpredictable, and gritty, but that’s exactly why it might be the hardest-hitting track on the whole project.
4. Ring Ring Ring
If Tyler, The Creator takes your girl, there’s really not much advice anyone can give you—just take the L and move on. Anyway, “Ring Ring Ring” had me out here dancing like I was auditioning for a Bell Biv DeVoe reunion tour (I’m sure y’all don’t know who BBD is). The track exudes a vintage ’80s R&B vibe, complete with quirky vocal inflections and vibrant production. Tyler taps into his more vulnerable side on this one, portraying himself as a love-starved romantic who’s a little desperate, a little sweet, and a whole lot awkward in the most endearing way.
You still get glimpses of that deep, scratchy Tyler voice we all know, but for the most part, he leans into his signature cartoonish croon—the kind that makes it sound like he hasn’t seen vagina in years. Despite the humor laced in his delivery, the track is actually well-written and emotionally resonant. If “Ring Ring Ring” had dropped in the early ’90s and landed in the hands of someone like Tevin Campbell, it probably would’ve charted high. Tyler somehow makes weird, offbeat love songs feel classic, and this one is no exception.
3. Sugar On My Tongue
Going from “Big Poe” to “Sugar On My Tongue” is a wild transition—but somehow, it works. The song features an excellent chorus, with Tyler delivering a high-pitched, infectious hook about having a woman who’s as addictive as sugar. While the vocals aren’t perfect, the rap flow is catchy, the tempo is upbeat, and the production oozes vibrant dance energy—the kind that could have you seeing Pac or glowing exit signs if you took the right pill. All in all, this feels like the hidden gem of the project.
2. Big Poe
The moment “Big Poe” kicks off, you immediately understand what kind energy Tyler, The Creator is on. It opens with an AI version of Will Smith (I’m just guessing; I don’t know this as a fact) giving bizarre, almost cult-leader-esque instructions on how to properly experience the album—before glitching into what sounds like a dialect straight out of a futuristic dystopia (possibly Engrab?). Then the beat drops, packed with breakdance-ready tempo, laser-like synths, and cartoonish sound effects that feel like they were pulled straight out of a ‘90s arcade game. Over this electrified soundscape, Tyler casually fires off wild bars about pee pee diamonds (yellow diamonds), his beef with light-skinned dudes, and his disdain for white people with dreadlocks. And somehow, he does it all while delivering a gritty, hype-worthy hook that feels lifted from a lost G-funk classic.
But the wildest curveball? Pharrell pulls up out of nowhere and absolutely snaps. Channeling his inner DJ Quik, Skateboard P flows with a laid-back West Coast drawl that makes you forget he’s from the opposite end of Virginia. Then, as if things couldn’t get any more left-field, Tyler throws in a perfectly placed “Pass the Courvoisier” sample that somehow fits into the madness like a missing puzzle piece. “Big Poe” is the kind of unhinged, brilliant chaos only Tyler could orchestrate—and it might just be one of the most audacious tracks on the entire album.
1. Sucka Free
There are different types of Tyler, The Creator fans, so don’t take my words as gospel—but this is my favorite version of Tyler. I’ve always been drawn to the tracks where he blends youthful, infectious choruses with razor-sharp verses. He did it beautifully on “Darling, I” from CHROMAKOPIA, and he’s back at it again here. This new track carries the same spirit, but with a splash of 24 K Magic flair. It’s layered with Computer Love-esque autotune effects that make the hook feel dreamy and retro, yet the energy remains firmly grounded in the now.
What makes the song even more fun is how Tyler slips into full-blown trash talk mode. He raps about making more money than his listeners, calls everyone bums, and somehow manages to make it all sound stylish. His exaggerated West Coast accent is cranked up to ten, adding character to every bar, and the way he floats over the vibrant dance beat feels effortless. The track is perfect in my eyes—unless, of course, you’re someone who takes offense to the absurd, unfiltered things he says. But hey, that’s just part of the ride when it comes to Tyler.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
1. Big Poe (4.5/5)
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RGM RATING
(83%)
Real s**t, Tyler, The Creator wants you to sweat more than Patrick Ewing after you’re done listening to this album.
DON’T TAP THE GLASS is a bold, beat-heavy album that throws structure out the window in favor of wild creativity. Unlike his previous conceptual masterpieces, such as IGOR or Call Me If You Get Lost, this new release is all about energy and freedom. From the first AI-driven instructions on “Big Poe” to the synth-laced chaos of tracks like “Ring Ring Ring,” Tyler makes it clear: this isn’t for overanalyzing—it’s for feeling.
Musically, the album is bursting with danceable production that fuses California funk, experimental hip-hop, and vintage R&B with Tyler’s signature weirdness. He flows effortlessly across chaotic rhythms, occasionally autotuned to sound like a warped love-struck android, other times delivering brash, cocky bars that’ll either make you laugh or raise your eyebrows. Standouts like “Big Poe” and “Sucka Free” showcase his ability to balance hooks with hard-hitting verses—think GNX meets 24k Magic with a dash of AI on drugs.
Lyrically, Tyler fully embraces his unfiltered self. He throws shots at fake personas, questions mainstream beauty standards, and offers up hilarious, sometimes controversial one-liners that feel pulled from an unhinged inner monologue. But beneath the satire and sarcasm, there’s honesty: a man uninterested in rules or boxes, who thrives off being misunderstood. It’s this rawness that gives DON’T TAP THE GLASS its edge—and likely why it will become a cult favorite among fans who prefer their Tyler unpredictable.
In short, DON’T TAP THE GLASS is a celebration of chaos and creativity. It may not be the most refined album in Tyler’s discography, but that’s the point. This one’s for the dance floor, the weirdos, the ones tired of playing it safe. Tyler isn’t asking for your approval—he’s daring you to tap the glass and see what breaks.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
