Album Review: Odd Future - The OF Tapes Vol. 2

While the maelstrom of faux-outrageous and righteously outraged behaviour raged around brat-rappers Odd Future, quietly, somewhere in the eye of the storm, someone made the most important, courageous and downright rock'n'roll statement in years. Maybe ever. When Frank Ocean took the step of publicly declaring his sexuality open to interpretation he was doing something no one in his position had ever done. Syd Tha Kyd's 'is-she-isn't-she' androgyny notwithstanding, the candid act of defiance and self-liberation gave credence to a crew who had always been in danger of drowning in their own dick jokes.

Unsurprisingly, the three tracks on The OF Tapes Vol. 2 with Frank are outstanding, and Analog 2 is hands down one of the songs of the year so far. More surprisingly, the rest aren't far behind. Enduring hip hop collectives are those in which each member pulls their weight, and there is little dead wood here. Even Tyler's tiresome enfant-terrible routine has capitulated. Now he has the time-worn exoneration 'some of my best friends are gay' in his holster for anyone daring to accuse him of homophobia, the rapper who once spat “Whoa, no homo/I'm not gay faggot” laces tracks with actual lyricism - check out Sam (Is Dead) if you don't believe me. Domo Genesis is a revelation, shining on a third of the tracks, and Oldie is a posse cut par excellence.

This album marks a genuine milestone for Odd Future, and at its heart lies real hip hop. The sweary slackness remains, but the most shocking thing about The OF Tapes Vol. 2 is that it's good.