Tyler, The Creator – Scum Fuck Flower Boy (2xLP)

Scum Fuck Flower Boy, more commonly known as Flower Boy, released in 2017, marks a pivotal turn in Tyler, the Creator’s career. The album sheds the shock value and brash eccentricities of his earlier work in favor of emotional honesty, intricate production, and vulnerability. Alongside guests like Frank Ocean, Kali Uchis, and Steve Lacy, Tyler weaves introspective lyrics about loneliness, identity, and the longing for connection over lush, layered soundscapes.

Musically, Flower Boy blurs genre boundaries: neo-soul, jazz rap, and hip hop all mix with ambient flourishes and melodic sensibility. Its balance of polished production and personal expression helped it resonate widely—earning both critical and fan acclaim—and solidified Tyler’s shift from provocateur to evolving auteur.

“On Tyler’s sincere and most accomplished album, he gets to the essence of what he's been chiseling at: the angst of a missed connection, the pain of unrequited love, and navigating youthful ennui.” – Pitchfork

“Scum Fuck Flower Boy is everything we’ve ever wanted from a Tyler record and then some. The album cuts the fat, maintains its focus, and provides one of the most intricate and personal records of his career.” – Sputnikmusic

“This is a major creative advancement, no slapdash repository of provocations and whims.” – AllMusic