After breaking into the music scene with his debut mixtape Nostalgia Ultra in 2011, Frank Ocean has been turning heads, impressing critics and fans alike. With the release of his universally acclaimed sophomore album Channel Orange in 2012, Frank Ocean cemented his place in today's hip hop and R&B and industry. For four years, the only new material Ocean has released has been snippets here and there, or the occasional feature on another artist's song. Finally, on August 20, 2016, after many teasers and delays, Frank Ocean released Blonde on Apple Music.
Unlike his previous works, which featured up-tempo beats and bright sounds, Blonde is a much darker, subdued album. The tracks contain stripped down vocals, acoustic guitars, piano melodies, and beautiful string sections accompanying Ocean's soulful, melodic singing. The first three tracks, "Nikes," "Ivy," and "Pink+White" are more upbeat, with some simple interludes, whereas the conclusion to the album, "White Ferrari," "Seigfried," "Godspeed," and "Futura Free" are slow, simple ballads. Whether it is a song about lost love, relationships with family members, or depression, there is something for everyone on this album.