The creative risks FRANK OCEAN took on his 2012 debut Channel Orange have certainly paid off, with the singer-songwriter winning two Grammys and a Brit Award in the past month.
OCEAN has just released a cut track ‘Eyes Like Sky’ from the Channel Orange studio sessions and it boasts the tender soulful groove that is so admired in his work.
However, this new track focuses on melodic elements instead of the rhythmic groove and synth present on his previously released tracks. The refreshingly analogue vocals stand out in R&B alongside tight harmonies and raw honesty reminiscent of old soul, such as Marvin Gaye.
A pop-infused opening with acoustic guitar and a live drum loop sets up the boy-meets-girl story, without a happy ending. Inspired and poetic lyrics articulate OCEAN as a soft-hearted storyteller: “I said ‘I wish you could see the ocean’. / He said ‘I wish you could see hope’.” Doomed love has never sounded so sweet.
OCEAN has revealed to BBC music in the UK that he is 10 songs into his follow-up album to Channel Orange.
Words by Antigone Anagnostellis
