Frank Ocean is without a doubt talented. Super talented. But, he is also a couple of other things. An anomaly and a game changer. In the history of R&B and soul music he is in good company. Think, in no particular order, the likes of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, James Brown, and Curtis Mayfield, etc. This young singer/songwriter is particularly fond of Otis Redding, Issac Hayes, and Marvin Gaye, and stylistically it shows. But what Mr. Ocean does, and continues to do is closer to what Prince represents in terms of an expansive musicality. Quite honestly though, he’ll be the first one to tell you he doesn’t possess the guitar chops of Van Halen nor does he know any “secret chords like Saint David.” But man can this kid draw lines from a wide variety of influences. Pop, rock, and alternative just to name of few music genres he sources and funnels through his imagination.
Of course, all musicians draw influence from what has come before, but Mr. Ocean casts his net into the whole tapestry of music, or so it seems. Make no mistake his is an ear cocked in unlikely directions. So, if you haven’t listened to Frank Ocean’s nostalgia, ULTRA mixtape (FREE DOWNLOAD) I implore you give it a listen. If you’re a fan, and an avid listener of music, then you probably already know about the Radiohead references and MGMT samples. But then, there is the beautifully hijacked Eagles “Hotel California” and Coldplay “Strawberry Swing” takeovers. On these quasi-renditions Mr. Ocean leaves the music intact but inlays his own reworked lyrics effortlessly, and seamlessly atop.
And still, there is so much more. Because, it’s not only the music, (although he is the veritable musical contortionist) but it is too the unconventional lyrics, the quirky arrangements, and the Auto-Tune and his very capable singing as well. Listen to fan favorite “There Will Be Tears” with its varying tempo and heart-on-a-sleeve subject matter. It is songs like this, but also “Swim Good” and “We All Try” which put this young visionary into a singular category. Because thematically speaking this young gun breathes rarefied air into the aforementioned songs with touching tenderness and vulnerability that is as refreshing as it is endearing.
Yes, Mr. Ocean is different. But different in a good and wholly unique way. His music deviates, in subtle ways from the canon of the neo-soul movement. His latest offering, “Pyramids,” which according to unofficial industry murmurs, will appear on his debut Def Jam release Channel Orange . This song, “Pyramids,”in my opinion is more in the vein of “Novacane” and “Lovecrimes,” but that isn’t a necessarily a bad thing at all. Plus, this track clocks in at just under 10:00 minutes. Making it the longest (and deeply steeped R&B) track to date. And all this leads up to the expectations of Frank Ocean’s debut album release Channel Orange set to drop July 17th via Def Jam. I am excited, expectant and hopeful. Frank Ocean is definitely an artist to watch. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // nostalgia, ultra | channel orange & beyond”
