Blonde

Frank Ocean

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blonde is a total mood album. The production is much more low-key and less extravagant when compared to his previous work. It honestly feels more like a singer-songwriter record with how atmospheric and minimal most of these songs are. Frank Ocean is often backed up by just guitar, organ, or a soft synth pad, making this record feel very personal and intimate. While that might sound a little dry on paper, Frank Ocean definitely indulges in some sonic experimentation to make these songs pop a little more. Sometimes, Ocean will experiment with different vocal effects like creating a nearly chipmunked version of himself on album opener Nikes or orchestrating this insane vocal freakout at the end of Ivy. Other times Ocean will experiment with different instrument sounds and production. Skyline To makes use of this sine wave synth that freakishly bends and wobbles while Good Guy's bedroom pop aesthetic perfectly matches the personal recounting of a time he spent an evening with another man touring New York City.

Nights and Pink + White feel a little more 'cut and dry' R&B as they are more extravagant then atmospheric and feature a pretty discernible groove. Pink + White is a little more elegant with Ocean's smooth voice, pianos, strings, and backing vocals provided by Beyoncé. Nights by comparison is a little more lively with this rap/sung hybrid that Ocean is known to pull off. I also like how all the different guitar samples are chopped, arranged, processed, and placed in this instrumental; making it one of the more standout moments on the album.

Of course we can't forget to mention all the great vocal work that appears on this record. One of the benefits of having such stripped back and atmospheric production is that it provides space for Ocean to really shine vocally. One such moment appears at the end of Self Control where there are these overwhelmingly beautiful layers of vocal harmony. I also really love his performance on the gospel inspired Godspeed. It is one of the few tracks where we get to hear Ocean's voice without a lot of vocal processing and perhaps for this reason it is the moment where he sounds the most confident; belting with tons of conviction. There were a few tracks toward the end of the record that I felt were bland and left me feeling a little underwhelmed, but overall, this record is quite strong.