With the eighth anniversary passing and the anticipation for new music, I thought diving into Frank Ocean’s last album would be a good idea. Blonde is the 2nd album from the R&B revolutionary, Frank Ocean. Apple Music ranked this album as number 5 on their list of “The Greatest Albums of All Time”. Blonde is a unique album experience with several interludes with a few that do not have any singing just a clip of someone talking (“Facebook Story” and “Be Yourself”). In terms of critical reception, Blonde is one of the most praised albums to come out last decade. Here are some of the highlight tracks:

Ivy

In this song, Frank reflects on a teenage relationship. While the relationship did not work out, neither one of them could truly have negative feelings about the other. The production incorporated guitar and piano in a melancholic style ballad. His vocals also express a kind of sadness and frustration.

Solo

The production is very similar to that of “Bad Religion” a song from his debut album Channel Orange. Heavy, drawn-out keyboard notes. The lyrics include a homophone. “So low” and “solo. Frank describes him feeling alone as solo and how the loneliness has left him in a depressive state (so low).

Nights

Instrumental the song has 2 parts. The first part is very guitar-heavy. The second half turns into a slower trap-style beat. The lyrics depict a night party lifestyle. In which a person spends the day fixing all the mistakes in the night.

White Ferrari 

The production is very minimalist. It almost sounds as if it is raining in the background adding to the sad themes of the song. The story is about the loss of Frank Ocean’s brother. The 4th verse is sung with a filter on his voice making it seem even sadder. The lyrics explain how they are both sorry but he will always care for him.

Overall I would give this album a 9/10. I have listened to it several times and I am still discovering sound effects I had yet to hear previously. I recommend this album to people who like listening to the entire album experience or are fans of R&B.

Blond by Frank Ocean is available to stream on Freegal.