GlockWerkOrange

Writers trying to group Frank Ocean’s Nostalgia,Ultra with The Weekend’s House of Balloons, or stating that it is not like modern R&B, or putting it on that future of music pedestal, only do Nostalgia, Ultra and it’s creators a diservice.Frank gave music fans a unique vision of youth, Blackness, and love-lust, that is sonically and lyrically as rooted in the contemporary as it is the recent past.

Frank’s music takes the swing and fun of the factory line monolithic Blackness of 90s R&B, merges it with the introspective honesty of the neo-soul “movement”, and layers it over sounds that create lingering moods like Drake and Cudi’s records. Yet, Frank strips Nostalgia of all the self-loathing pretentious bitchyness of the aforementioned artist. Frank shares his emotions and invites us to his experiences in a way that understands many feel what he feels and have shared the experiences he speaks of. He’s not roaming around earth introverted wondering why no one understands him. “Novacane”, “Swim Good” and “Dust” are all prefect examples of his synthesizing abilities, while having the melodic qualities to fit within any popular playlist.

Frank also very subtly conveys the idea of being patient, and romantic even, through the tape interludes. The act of rewinding, forwarding, pressing play, and stopping, required patience; in some ways created a more intimate or personal listening experience. The interludes run parallel to the concept of nostalgia, and only further highlight Frank’s lyrics that pay attention to detail and have little fear of being corny or vulnerable at times. “We All Try”, “Songs for Women”, and the Mr. Hudson expanded “There Will Be Tears”, are all poignant of these themes: patience, reflection, and wayward Romanticism.

Lastly, it’s quite ironic that writers focus on the bombastic gestures of “Strawberry Swing”, “American Wedding”, and “Nature Feels”, because of their non-Black musical reference points. “Bitches Talkin’” is as much about his woman friend being annoyed by his music choice as it is about the reality that many Black folk listen to music that is not rap or R&B. If writers gave R&B a more honest listen beyond its mainstream signifiers they’d now it’s been pulling from Rock, IDM and even folk for over a decade. Nostalgia, Ultra does not come off as highly experimental or genre defying as some have claimed. What it has done is expand on the sound of his generation, while pumping new life into the dichotomous tropes of Jodeci and D’Angelo, (or their lessors Trey Songs and Musiq Soulchild). Nostalgia, Ultra is greatly executed pop music that is fearless, while attempting to pull on the heart strings. Some one get these songs some videos and lets all attempt to get Frank’s name in brighter lights.

SCIENCE7881

FAVORITE TAPES OF THE FIRST QUARTER 2011

These are the “albums” i’ve gave the most burn in the first 3 months of the year. Surprisingly all but one have been given away for free.

1A. Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music) - Stalley

1B. Return of 4Eva - Big KRIT

2. SCBS - Elucid

3. Nostalgia Ultra - Frank Ocean

4. Evil Christian Cop (EP) - J*Davey

5. James Blake - James Blake

Honorable mention: Wu Vs. Shaolin, The Fear of God, House of Balloons, Return to The Winners Circle, King of Limbs, Setbacks, Clams Casino