Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, otherwise known as The Grinch EP, was written and composed by Tyler, the Creator. It was released on Nov. 16, 2018, as a Christmas extended play (EP) containing six songs and a total runtime of 10 ‘s; it includes features from artists Ryan Beatty, Santigold, and Jerry Paper.
The EP coincides with the 2018 Illumination movie, The Grinch. In the EP, Tyler does a great job of expressing the spirit of the holidays, drawing on elements of traditional Christmas songs while adding modern hip-hop and R&B.
The first track, “Whoville,” is completely instrumental and serves as an introduction to the project’s sound using traditional instruments such as bells, trumpets, and pianos, while differentiating itself with a bright, electric keyboard.
“Whoville” being only instrumentals makes it feel incomplete; a longer runtime and added vocals would improve it. There is no Christmas feel to this track; it more embodies Tyler’s jazz-like synth-pop sound, which is also found in his other songs.
The track, “Lights On,” features vocals from Tyler, the Creator, Ryan Beatty, and Santigold. The instrumentals are mostly electronic, with piano included at points.
Santigold’s raspy, high-pitched voice perfectly matches the light electronic piano, while Beatty’s deeper singing and Tyler’s voice help contrast it. The song evokes a nostalgic, playful feeling, reminiscent of opening gifts on Christmas Day.
The track that follows is “Hot Chocolate,” featuring Jerry Paper. The song features exciting, booming drums, a deep electric piano that breaks into a chiming xylophone, both radiating Christmas spirit. Tyler has a neat verse describing hot chocolate that still flows well. Paper’s verse is very cosy and makes you want to drink hot chocolate by a campfire, but his voice is too drawn out and exaggerated.
Next on the EP is “Big Bag.” The song starts with a light ticking and shifts into a beat of many dark, electronic drums and piano.
This song embodies Tyler’s hip-hop sound; it incorporates his rapping and is faster-paced than the other tracks. Listening to “Big Bag” is a nice break from the slower instrumental tracks. The downside of its speed is that it runs for only 1 minute, 25 seconds.
“When Gloves Come Off,” featuring Ryan Beatty, is a slower-paced song, similar to “Whoville,” but with added lyrics. The simplicity of this song makes it great, as it conveys the feeling of kicking your feet up after a long day.
This track does not resemble Christmas as much as the others do. “When Gloves Come Off” sounds like an interlude meant for another project, rather than a Christmas EP.
The last track on The Grinch EP, “Cindy Lou’s Wish,” runs just 1 minute, 6 seconds. It has no verses and closes out the EP with soothing instrumentals that tie everything together. The song has a joyous feel and includes a unique electronic whine, giving it its own sound.
Adding background vocals could polish the track and make it feel more complete, but having the album end with instrumentals makes sense, since that is how it started.
Tyler, the Creator’s take on a ‘non-traditional’ Christmas EP was refreshing to hear. People get tired of listening to the same Christmas tracks, and this project is a welcome alternative for anyone seeking something atypical.
