On July 20, 2025, Tyler, the Creator surprised the music world by releasing Don’t Tap the Glass, his ninth studio album, without prior promotion. This concise, dance‑driven collection runs under 30 minutes across ten tracks produced entirely by Tyler himself and features guest appearances from Pharrell Williams (also credited as Sk8brd), Madison McFerrin, and Yebba.
Critics praised its purpose‑built nature: Tyler described the album as “not made for sitting still,” designed for movement, driving, and dance. The lead single “Ring Ring Ring” went to rhythmic radio at the end of July, amplifying its momentum. The album immediately topped the Billboard ‑200, making it his third consecutive chart‑topper.
In the lead‑up, Tyler held a Los Angeles listening party on July 20 with a no‑phones policy, underscoring the experiential and communal intent behind the release. A follow‑up gathering on July 23 in Brooklyn’s Under the ‘K’ Bridge Park further reinforced the immersive, off‑social‑media vibe. Music videos accompanied the release for tracks like “Stop Playing with Me”—featuring guest cameos from LeBron James and Clipse—and several dance‑oriented teasers.
This surprise drop demonstrates Tyler’s artistic control and growth, zooming in on fun and movement rather than conceptual depth, and earning him acclaim for shaking expectations of what an album drop can be.