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Blonde (Frank Ocean album)

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Untitled

Blonde[9][10] is the second studio album by American singer Frank Ocean. It was released on August 20, 2016, as a timed exclusive on the iTunes Store and Apple Music, and followed the August 19 release of Ocean's visual album Endless.[10][11] Initially known as Boys Don't Cry and teased for a July 2015 release, the album suffered several delays and was the subject of widespread media anticipation.[12][13][14][15][16]

The album features guest vocals from Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Yung Lean, André 3000, Sebastian, James Blake, and Kim Burrell among others,[17] and production from Frank Ocean himself, as well as Pharrell Williams, Tyler, The Creator, Jamie xx, Rostam Batmanglij, Om'Mas Keith, and many more. The album was supported by the single "Nikes".[18] It received widespread acclaim from critics, and charted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Background

On February 21, 2013, Ocean confirmed that he had started work on his second studio album, which he confirmed would be another concept album. He revealed that he was working with Tyler, The Creator, Pharrell Williams, and Danger Mouse on the record.[19] He later stated that he was being influenced by The Beach Boys and The Beatles. He stated he was interested in collaborating with Tame Impala and King Krule and that he would record part of the album in Bora Bora;[20] Ocean ultimately recorded Blonde in London at Abbey Road Studios.[21]

In April 2014, Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished. In June 2014, Billboard reported that the singer was working with a string of artists such as Happy Perez (whom he worked with on Nostalgia, Ultra), Charlie Gambetta and Kevin Ristro, while producers Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins and Danger Mouse were also said to be on board.[22][23] On November 29, 2014, Ocean released a snippet of a new song supposedly from his upcoming follow-up to Channel Orange called "Memrise" on his official Tumblr page. The Guardian described the song as: "a song which affirms that despite reportedly changing labels and management, he has maintained both his experimentation and sense of melancholy in the intervening years".[24]

Release and promotion

On April 6, 2015, Ocean announced that his follow-up to Channel Orange would be released in July, as well as a publication, although no further details were released. The album was ultimately not released in July, with no explanation given for its delay. The publication was rumored to be called Boys Don't Cry, and was slated to feature the aforementioned "Memrise", although the track did not make the final track listing.[25][26][27]

On July 2, 2016, Frank hinted at a possible second album with an image on his website pointing to a July release date. The image shows a library card labeled Boys Don't Cry with numerous stamps, implying various due dates. The dates begin with July 2, 2015, and conclude with July 2016, and November 13, 2016. Frank's brother, Ryan Breaux, further suggested this release with an Instagram caption of the same library card photo reading "BOYS DON'T CRY #JULY2016".[28] On August 1, 2016, a live video hosted by Apple Music showing an empty hall was launched on the website boysdontcry.co.[29] The website also featured a new design. The video marked the first update on the website since a "date due" post from July.[30]

On August 1, 2016, a video appeared that showed Frank woodworking and sporadically playing instrumentals on loop.[29] That same day, many news outlets reported that August 5, 2016, could be the release date for Boys Don't Cry.[31][32] The video was revealed to be promotion for Endless, a 45-minute-long visual album that began streaming on Apple Music on August 19, 2016.[31] The day after the release of Endless, Ocean posted a new picture on his website advertising four pop-up shops in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and London. These shops contained hundreds of magazines, with three different covers and the album on a CD included with each cover. The magazines were free and were available to one per person. Later in the day, the album was released exclusively on the iTunes Store and Apple Music. However, the track list differed from the digital version of the album, with two tracks added "Mitsubishi Sony" and "Easy", whilst certain songs on the digital edition of the album such as "Solo (Reprise)" featuring Outkast member André 3000 and "Be Yourself" among others were not included on the physical edition, as well as an extended version of "Nikes" featuring Japanese rappers KOHH and Loota that was featured on some editions as well.[33]

"Nikes" was released as the album's lead single on August 20. The track was produced by Ocean himself and frequent collaborator Om'Mas Keith.[8][34]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.4/10[35]
Metacritic87/100[36]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[37]
The Daily Telegraph[38]
Entertainment WeeklyA[39]
The Guardian[40]
The Observer[41]
Pitchfork9/10[42]
Rolling Stone[5]
Spin8/10[43]
The Times[44]
ViceB+[45]

Blonde received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 87, based on 38 reviews.[36] Mojo reviewer Andy Cowan called it "a beguiling, meandering sprawl that rewards total immersion",[46] while Tara Joshi of The Quietus deemed Blonde a consummate R&B record featuring nuanced songwriting and charmingly "dreamy, abstracted production".[47] Rolling Stone critic Jonah Weiner believed its music was R&B only in the loosest sense of the word, describing the album as a "marvel of digital-age psychedelic pop", alternately "oblique, smolderingly direct, forlorn, funny, dissonant and gorgeous".[5] Tim Jonze hailed Blonde as "one of the most intriguing and contrary records ever made" in his review for The Guardian, comparing it to the experimental and texture-driven albums Kid A (2000) by Radiohead and Big Star's Third (1974). "Realign your expectations," Jonze wrote, "and what gradually emerges is a record of enigmatic beauty, intoxicating depth and intense emotion."[40] In the Chicago Tribune, Greg Kot was particularly impressed by the "seamless" quality of the arrangements and Ocean's use of audio processing devices to employ "two distinct voices, like characters in a play, a recurring theme throughout the album and perhaps its finest sonic achievement".[48] According to Pitchfork journalist Ryan Dombal, while Channel Orange had boasted a more eclectic range of styles, Blonde showed Ocean expressing his romantic, philosophical, and melancholic ideas and emotions over an especially spare musical backdrop, giving the record an intimacy that "attracts the ear, bubbles the brain, raises the flesh".[42]

Neil McCormick was less enthusiastic in The Daily Telegraph. He believed Blonde would be a "deeply felt" but laborious experience for most listeners, calling the music euphonious and attractive but also "relentlessly mid-tempo, obscure and indulgent, wandering inconclusively through snatches of half thoughts and vague ideas".[38] In Vice, Robert Christgau admired Ocean's reliance on his "expressive and capable but unathletic voice", the candid stories explored on "Good Guy" and "Facebook Story", and more aggressive songs such as "Nights". "As on Channel Orange, however, his angst is a luxury of leisure", Christgau wrote, finding the details of Ocean's interpersonal lyrics occasionally relatable but more often "specific to his social status".[45] Andy Gill from The Independent was more critical, deeming much of the music lethargic, aimless, and devoid of strong melodies while describing it as a "glitchy, miasmic" brand of R&B.[49]

In the first week of release, Blonde debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and recorded 276,000 album-equivalent units—232,000 of which were purchases of the entire album.[50] The songs on the album were collectively streamed more than 65.4 million times, second behind only the streams for Views by Drake during that week.[50] Forbes estimated that Blonde earned Ocean nearly $1 million in profits after one week of availability, attributing this to him releasing the album independently and as a limited exclusive release on iTunes and Apple Music.[51]

Year-end rankings

Publication Rank
Consequence of Sound
4[52]
The Independent
5[53]
Mojo
7[54]
NME
10[55]
Paste
10[56]
Rolling Stone
5[57]
The Skinny
1[58]
Stereogum
2[59]
Time
1[60]

Track listing

Songwriting credits are adapted from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).[61]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nikes"
5:14
2."Ivy"
4:09
3."Pink + White"
3:04
4."Be Yourself"
  • Ocean
  • Keith
  • Buddy Ross
  • Rosie Watson
1:26
5."Solo"
4:17
6."Skyline To"
3:04
7."Self Control"
4:09
8."Good Guy"
  • Ocean
  • Ross
1:06
9."Nights"
5:07
10."Solo (Reprise)"André Benjamin1:18
11."Pretty Sweet"
  • Ocean
  • Keith
2:37
12."Facebook Story"Sebastian Akchoté-Bozovi1:08
13."Close to You"
1:25
14."White Ferrari"
4:08
15."Seigfried"
5:34
16."Godspeed"
2:57
17."Futura Free"
9:24

Notes

Sample credits

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[62] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[63] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[64] 7
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[65] 2
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[66] 1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[67] 2
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[68] 4
Irish Albums (IRMA)[69] 2
Italian Albums (FIMI)[70] 6
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[71] 1
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[72] 1
Scottish Albums (OCC)[73] 1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[74] 2
UK Albums (OCC)[75] 1
US Billboard 200[76] 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[77] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Silver 60,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Glaysher, Scott. "Frank Ocean Blurs the Lines Even Further on 'Blond' Read More: Frank Ocean Blurs the Lines Even Further on 'Blond' – XXL". XXL. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  2. ^ Hautman, Nicholas. "Frank Ocean Releases Long-Awaited 'Blonde' Album With Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar Collaborations". Us Weekly. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  3. ^ Kreps, Daniel. "Frank Ocean Reflects on Creation of 'Blonde'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  4. ^ Arceneaux, Michael. "'Blonde' Cements Frank Ocean as Today's Most Evocative and Daring Male R&B Songwriter". Complex. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Weiner, Jonah (August 22, 2016). "Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Is a Dizzy, Trippy, Druggy Marvel". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  6. ^ Corcoran, Nina. "Blonde: Album Review". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  7. ^ Robehmed, Natalie (August 23, 2016). "Frank Ocean Just Went Independent And Ignited A Music Streaming War". Forbes. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Evans, Lauren. "Frank Ocean's New Single 'Nikes' Is a Magic Carpet Ride Through the Human Brain". Jezebel.
  9. ^ Kreps, Daniel; Elias, Leight; Jon, Blistein. "Frank Ocean Releases Long-Awaited New Album 'Blonde' at Pop-Up Shops". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Frank Ocean – Blonde". iTunes. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Frank Ocean's Blonde is now on Spotify". The Verge.
  12. ^ Dunham, Jess. "Frank Ocean new album: Producer Malay offers explanation for Boys Don't Cry release date delay". The Independent. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  13. ^ Hughes, Hilary. "NO NEW FRANK OCEAN ALBUM IS MAKING THE INTERNET LAUGH, CRY, AND MEME". MTV News. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  14. ^ Lachno, James. "Messy, pompous and pointless – why Frank Ocean's Blonde doesn't live up to the hype". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  15. ^ Jackson, Dan. "MAKING SENSE OF FRANK OCEAN'S NEW 'ALBUM' (AND WHEN THE REAL ONE'S COMING)". Thrillest. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  16. ^ "STREAM FRANK OCEAN'S VISUAL ALBUM 'ENDLESS'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  17. ^ "Frank Ocean Drops New Album Blond: Listen – Pitchfork".
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  24. ^ "Listen to Frank Ocean's new track Memrise". The Guardian. November 28, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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  26. ^ Beauchemin, Molly (April 6, 2015). "Frank Ocean Announces New Record". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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  28. ^ Ivie, Devon (July 2, 2016). "Frank Ocean Teases Boys Don't Cry July Release Date". Vulture.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  29. ^ a b "Frank Ocean".
  30. ^ Monroe, Jazz (August 1, 2016). "Frank Ocean Launches Mysterious Live Stream". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  31. ^ a b "Frank Ocean's Long-Awaited 'Boys Don't Cry' Is Due on Friday – NYTimes.com".
  32. ^ "Frank Ocean to Release New Album 'Boys Don't Cry' This Week".
  33. ^ "Here Are The Tracklistings For Both Versions Of Frank Ocean's Blond".
  34. ^ "Frank Ocean – Nikes Lyrics – Genius Lyrics". Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  35. ^ "Blonde by Frank Ocean reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  36. ^ a b "Reviews for Blonde by Frank Ocean". Metacritic. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  37. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Blond – Frank Ocean". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  38. ^ a b McCormick, Neil (August 22, 2016). "Frank Ocean, Blonde, review: 'an album that will make an indelible mark on pop culture'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  39. ^ Brown, Eric Renner (August 23, 2016). "Frank Ocean's Blonde: EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  40. ^ a b Jonze, Tim (August 25, 2016). "Frank Ocean: Blonde review – a baffling and brilliant five-star triumph". The Guardian. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  41. ^ Mossman, Kate (August 28, 2016). "Frank Ocean: Blonde review – abstract, atmospheric beauty". The Observer. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  42. ^ a b Dombal, Ryan (August 24, 2016). "Frank Ocean: Blonde / Endless". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  43. ^ Weiss, Dan (August 23, 2016). "Review: Frank Ocean's Blond on 'Blonde' Is Pledging Its Goddamn Time". Spin. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  44. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (August 26, 2016). "Pop: Frank Ocean: Blonde". The Times. Retrieved September 17, 2016. (subscription required)
  45. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (September 16, 2016). "Frank Ocean's Candidness and the Ambitious Blood Orange: Expert Witness with Robert Christgau". Vice. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  46. ^ Cowan, Andy (August 24, 2016). "Mojo Album of The Week". Mojo. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
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  49. ^ Gill, Andy (August 24, 2016). "Frank Ocean, Blonde, album review: A trickling bubblebath of an album that ultimately runs lukewarm". The Independent. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
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  51. ^ Robehmed, Natalie (August 30, 2016). "Frank Ocean Already Made $1 Million By Going Independent". Forbes. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
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  53. ^ "Best Albums of 2016". The Independent. November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  54. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2016". Mojo. November 22, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  55. ^ "NME's Albums of the Year 2016". NME. November 24, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  56. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2016". Paste. November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  57. ^ "50 Best Albums of 2016". Rolling Stone. November 29, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  58. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2016". The Skinny. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  59. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2016". Stereogum. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  60. ^ "The Top 10 Best Albums". Time. November 22, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  61. ^ "ACE Title Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  62. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Frank Ocean – Blonde". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  63. ^ "Ultratop.be – Frank Ocean – Blonde" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  64. ^ "Ultratop.be – Frank Ocean – Blonde" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  65. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  66. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Frank Ocean – Blonde". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  67. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Frank Ocean – Blonde" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  68. ^ "Frank Ocean: Blonde" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  69. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 34, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  70. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Frank Ocean – Blonde". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  71. ^ "Charts.nz – Frank Ocean – Blonde". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  72. ^ "VG-lista - Frank Ocean". VG-lista. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  73. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  74. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Frank Ocean – Blonde". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  75. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  76. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  77. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  78. ^ "British album certifications – Frank Ocean – Blonde". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Blonde in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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