808s & Heartbreak marked a significant departure from what Kanye West was known for, embracing a minimalist electropop sound with profound emotional depth in its lyrics. The sonic landscape is filled with subdued melodies and a somber mood, reflecting personal turmoil and a crisis of identity. His extensive use of autotune was groundbreaking at the time, transforming his voice into an instrument capable of expressing vulnerability and emotional detachment. Drawing inspiration from earlier artists like Phil Collins and Gary Numan, West infused the album with electronic textures and drum machines reminiscent of 1980s synthpop. The Roland TR-808 drum machine—featured in the album’s title—played a central role in shaping its sound, providing distinctive beats that added a powerful emotional layer to the music.