Album Review: Frank Ocean - Channel ORANGE

Even though the author's been dead half a century, it's still tough at times to divorce an artist from that artist's work. Frank Ocean is gay. And that was not a fact known by anyone but Frank's nearest and dearest until his moving Tumblr post a couple weeks ago. It's with that revelation in mind that we turn to channel ORANGE. Happily, it's barely a distraction, our thoughts about Ocean's personal life are never allowed to interfere with this incredible piece of work.

After a brief intro, Thinkin Bout You opens proceedings. Instantly, we hear much of what we've come to love about Frank. He's a singer who uses syncopated delivery, rhythmic breathing and neat flow tricks like a rapper would. When he speaks of the weather in southern California being “much like Arizona” he splits the line in half with a little breath in as he says “much”. It seems like nothing, but it's perfection to hear. channel ORANGE is an album made by someone who applies his full attention to the delivery of one throwaway word: if Ocean is going to have the word “much” on his record, he's going to make it count. That sort of care is the norm here. The hook for Crack Rock is the song's title, repeated. It sounds simple – and it is – but the execution is flawless. Lost bears the mark of labelmate Syd tha Kid but has more subtlety and depth than Syd's The Internet managed with the same sound earlier this year. I could go on and on.

This is an immersive work. Complete, it ranges from neat little pop songs to gentle thinkpieces. Perhaps most telling, for the duration of the album, despite the baggage we bring with us as listeners, we appreciate that whoever the artist may be it's the art that excels here.