I hate that I have to start my music posts like this, but I am heartbroken. Completely betrayed. In the last four years I’ve gotten TWO Kanye, Beyoncé, and J. Cole albums. Even THREE Big Sean albums in that period of time. But you know what I’ve gotten from Frank Ocean? Nothing. Just a few features here and there, some ghost writing, and disappointment. But no matter how many times I stay up until 3 a.m. waiting for an album (because maybe he’s dropping it at 12 a.m. PT? You never know) I still forgive him. Why? Because he’s talented. And he owes me absolutely nothing. Bey, Ye, and Big Sean lean more towards performers which means it’s just their job to make music. Yeah they have other ventures that they’re involved in, but their income comes mostly from their tours. Frank is an artist who just simply releases music when he pleases, and honestly he doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to.
And don’t think I jumped on the bandwagon when ‘channel ORANGE’ came out. My obsession runs back to ‘nostalgia,ULTRA’ when he was the not-as-weird but still weird in a reclusive kind of way Odd Future member. I love him not only because of his voice–his lyrics make absolutely no sense sometimes–but somehow you still feel it. You got me a beach house you could sell me in Idaho? I don’t know how, but I’m into it. Other than the occasional ridiculous line, most of his songs are actual poetry that are so honest and full of feeling. I love him, have I made that clear yet?
I want everyone to appreciate him as much as I do, so here are 10 songs/features (in no particular order) that show you why you should see the Frank Ocean light:
- Wise Man – this was actually supposed to be in the “Django: Unchained” movie tracklist, but Quentin Tarantino didn’t think it would fit in the movie. Both a wise decision (because it truly wouldn’t have fit anyhwere in the movie) and a missed opportunity because the song is gorgeous. The beat is simple and the lyrics are raw, I wish more people knew about it.
Favorite line: Until death did you part from the mess you made - Pyramids – 10 minutes of genius. Every minute is worth it, I promise you. And the way the beat changes towards the end into something slower and more sultry…just yes.
Favorite line: Our skin like bronze and our hair like cashmere as we march to the rhythm on the palace floor - Love Crimes – At the end of the song, an excerpt from a monologue in the movie “Eyes Wide Shut” is given about how men can do whatever they please, and women are viewed as crazy. Nicole Kidman goes off. The song is really simple, but the excerpt makes it worth it.
Favorite line: Murder, murder, murder she wrote. Love crimes - Sierra Leone – one of those songs that should’ve been way longer. I listen to it about…once a day.
Favorite line: I’ll sing a Lennon lullaby she can have a pretty dream. Baby girl if you knew what I know - Forrest Gump – this is the song where he confirmed that he was bi, along with creating this post. He hasn’t mentioned it sense, and the song is so subtle about it too.
Favorite line: My fingertips, and my lips they burn from the cigarettes. - She (Tyler the creator) -I was never truly an OF music fan, but I was a fan of the chaos they created. Tyler’s voice was raw and deep and everything he rapped was slightly disturbing, but matched with Frank’s voice on the hook it all balanced out.
Favorite line: You’re sleeping alone in your bed. But check your window. He’s at your window. - Swim Good – basically a song about avoiding your emotions, which is all I ever do so I feel it.
Favorite line: And I’ve got this black suit on, roamin’ around like I’m ready for a funeral - Dust – when I went down my rabbit hole of finding his song, this is the first old one I came across. When he sings love songs I kind of just melt.
Favorite line: No I won’t put you out, because what would this place be without my muse? - Pink Matter – Andre 3000 barely exists, so to pair the two of them up was like having two mysterious entities singing together. It’s magic. And the way Frank hits notes in this is perfect.
Favorite line: What if the sky and the stars are for show and the aliens are watching live from the purple matter - Novacane – the first song I EVER heard, and this is where my love affair started. Is it just me or does it have a 70’s feel in the beat?
Favorite line: Now I’m something like a chemist on campus. But there’s no drugs around quite like what I found in you
Honorable mentions: Nature Feels, Thinkin Bout You, Pilot Jones, etc etc. I could go on forever. There is also a WHOLE mixtape I didn’t pull from because I’m not as well versed in it as I am the other mixtapes/albums.
Is this biased? It is, but I’m not ashamed. I’ll be more critical on other artists I review.
Meanwhile I’m going to sit here and listen to his whole discography on repeat, keep watching as he sits in an empty room while doing woodwork, cry when he sings “baby girl” in ‘Sierra Leone’ and patiently wait to get my heartbroken yet again on November 13, 2016.
