Music Review: Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE

Last week Frank Ocean released his highly anticipated debut album, channel ORANGE a week early via iTunes.  The New Orleans native gained a fan base, not to mention notoriety off his Nostalgia/Ultra mixtape last year.  He has written songs for and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry like Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Beyoncé.  In the past two weeks, Frank has stirred up some controversy by opening up about his sexuality and revealing to the world that once upon a time, he was in love with a man.  With an announcement like that he was bound to loose some fans, but also gain some, as well as respect for being so honest.  Personally, I believe that whom he chooses to be with is his business.  He makes good music and his sexuality doesn't nor should it change my opinion about his talent.  That's my piece, now let's talk about channel ORANGE...

The album includes collaborations with John Mayer, Andre 3000, fellow Odd Future members Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt.  The beat selection for this album is impressive and they really compliment Ocean's voice.  The melodies and vocal arrangement throughout the entire album are excellent in my opinion. He is aware of his vocal abilities and the songs that were chosen fit him.  Listening to the album, you can tell where drew some of his inspiration from Prince, Stevie Wonder, and even some old school D'angelo.

The album kicks off with the popular lead single "Thinkin' Bout You" followed by the 40 second "Fertilizer" interlude.  Next up is "Sierra Leone" which after a few listens, I was able to determine that the lyrics were about unexpected pregnancies.  "Sweet Life", which is co-produced by Pharrell Williams, might be my favorite song on the album, talks about the privileged life. You can really hear all of the instruments used in creating this song, and it's definitely a song you would want to hear him perform with a live band.  The Earl Sweatshirt assisted "Super Rich Kids" will remind you of Elton John's "Benny and the Jets" when it first starts.  "Crack Rock" doesn't have a hidden meaning; it is actually about crack addiction, which is something that many listeners won't expect.  

Frank sings about dating a stripper on "Pyramids".  The song, which is almost the longest song on the album clocking in at just under 10 minutes.  At the halfway point beat switches up from a more techno infused sound, to something that you might hear at the strip club.  "Lost" is an up-beat song about of all things, a drug-cooking girlfriend.  On "White" there are no words just music for a minute featuring a guitar rip by John Mayer giving it a jazz feel.  The percussion is strong on "Monks", which discusses casual sex.  Andre 3K helps out on "Pink Matter" a slow sultry song with a teeny bit of the same funk infusion we hear in many Outkast songs towards the end.  The 2 most controversial songs on the album are "Bad Religion" and "Forrest Gump" because Ocean it is obvious that the significant others he is referring to are men.

Overall this is a well-put together album. I purchased it on Tuesday and haven't stopped listening to it since. If I had to describe the album in a few words it would probably smooth and melodic. Ocean made an album that I honestly think people are going to be listening to years from now. You can listen to the entire album without having to skip a song. It is rare that I say I love an album, but I can say that about channel ORANGE because it is a good album from "Start" to "End", which are he names oft he 1st and last track on the album. If you haven't already purchased the album you can download it from iTunes or get a physical copy when it hits stores this Tuesday, July 17th.