Musically, Tyler’s production has never been better. Wolf, and thus Tyler himself, has been transformed into the deeply troubled person we see on Bastard and Goblin. By the end of the album, Wolf’s innocence has disappeared. The conflict between Sam and Wolf introduces tension that builds up until Wolf is forced to deal with Sam head on. But Wolf also introduces another element that bends Wolf’s innocence until it breaks entirely: conflict. The album initially reminisces on simpler times: summer love, youthful innocence, and meeting new people at camp. Wolf provides a narrative of how innocence is destroyed. Wolf replies that if he’d seen him he would have killed him (“Lone”). TC asking Wolf if he’s seen Sam anywhere. Once Sam finds out what’s been going on between Wolf and Salem, he vows to kill Wolf and kills Wolf’s friend Earl (“Rusty”), culminating in a fight breaking out between Sam’s and Wolf’s allies (“Trashwang”). Wolf meets his rival/alter-ego Sam (“Wolf), and soon finds himself in love with Sam’s girlfriend Salem and begins seeing her behind Sam’s back (“PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer”). Wolf is a side-story not directly connected to the storyline of Bastard and Goblin, narrating the title character Wolf’s experiences at a summer camp named Camp Flog Gnaw.
Rather, Wolf hides Tyler’s deeply rooted issues behind a mask of smooth, Summery music. The harsh beats and violent lyrics of previous tracks like “Yonkers” and “Tron Cat” are all but absent on Wolf, appearing only in a few tracks over the album’s 70 minute span. In fact, ‘mellow’ would probably be the best way to sum the album up as a whole in one word. Tyler had long stated that his next planned album Wolf would move away from the violent themes of Bastard and Goblin and be far mellower album. Tyler, the Creator has always been known for his shock-value lyrics, dark themes, and tight production, and with 2011’s Goblin all three of these elements reached their apex.
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