Frank Ocean, Blonde: Track By Track Review (PART 1)

I have spent an unhealthy amount of time since 2012 complaining about Frank Ocean not releasing a follow up to the Grammy award winning ‘channel orange’. However this week the LA based singer released ‘Blonde’ as an Apple Music exclusive, much to the surprise and excitement of everyone in the world. As this album has been so exciting and epic (lasting just over an hour) I feel that the only fair review would be a pain-staking track by track review… Hold on tight.

Nikes

As the track begins I immediately thought “this is going to be the album of the year”, a deep ethereal bass line and distortion (which ultimately links this album together) caught me immediately. A pitched up Ocean sings about the trappings of greed and excess, referencing OD’d rappers such as A$AP Yams and Pimp C. The songs tone is rather miserable, Frank is tired of fakers, clingers on and all this money. It seems like on ‘Blonde’, he is searching for a bit of purity and joy- how fitting that this song makes me feel the same.

Ivy

The first of ‘Blonde’s many love songs. Ocean’s dreamy voice begins to shine on this track mores than it’s predecessor. The simplicity of this track makes ‘Ivy’ feel very idealistic and rose tinted, supported by lyrics of a childhood love completely lost (perhaps the same guy that Ocean yearned for on channel orange?). Although slightly edgeless, the truth of ‘Ivy’ is very enjoyable- something quite accessible to everyone that listens. 

Pink+White

At this point, Frank Ocean decides to flex his musical muscles with a playful and creative summer jam without the cheese. The gentle sound effects of tweeting birds launches you into the LA sunshine, and more specifically the beautiful imagination of Frank Ocean. This is the song that I wanted in June so I could spend my summer holiday smiling wild with headphones in. The song seems to branch further than the often simplistic R&B tropes of ‘channel orange’ with slightly less scale than songs like ‘Pyramids’ and ‘Lost. This is the sound of summer.

Be Yourself

A voice message from Frank’s mum telling him not to do drugs, judging by the subject matter of ‘Blonde’ he did not listen very well.

Solo

A far more swaggering and confident song, with a melodic gospel edge. No one really knows where Frank Ocean has been for the past four years, but I think this song gives a few clues. Judging by ‘Solo’; he has been driving cars, smoking weed and having sex. This chilled out ode to the green is perfect for long evenings doing nothing, it is almost Frank letting us know that it is all good in the end. It’s hell on earth, the city’s on fire/ Inhale, in hell there’s heaven.

Skyline To

Perhaps the two most significant things about this song, no one will realise. The first is this that the hazy guitar plucking and alien-esque whine production is by Tyler, the Creator (something that came as a huge surprise as the Odd Future rapper is known for his bombastic and cartoon take on music). The simplistic shouts of smoke! which complete this beautifully mellow Californian love letter is none other than Kendrick Lamar, the biggest rapper of this generation. Further proof that Frank Ocean can do whatever the hell he wants.

Self Control

Everyone I ask about ‘Blonde’, they tell me instantaneously that ‘Self Control’ is their favourite. It is effortlessly acoustic and romantic. The vocals by Austin Feinstein of Sleepy Hollows are a haunting accompaniment. The final moments are heart breaking, an outro to be reckoned with. However, for me, I do not see the appeal of the song. Maybe it is too wet, maybe it is too acoustic, maybe I just have no taste.

Good Guy

A lot has changed in four years. Something I find quite notable about the quick interlude ‘Good Guy’ is that Ocean can easily sing about a meaningless meet up with a dude and have no one make a deal out of it. Frank Ocean’s legacy will not just be a musician but as one of the first openly queer black male artists, a generation definer.