Introduction

Channel Orange, the 2012 album by Frank Ocean, is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional albums released in the 2010s. I must confess that I had never given the album a listen prior to reviewing it here; however, having delved into its melodic depths and lyrical brilliance, I now understand why it is regarded with such reverence. The commanding vocal abilities of Frank Ocean are on full display throughout this exceptional work. Production, which was heavily manned by Frank, is another outstanding demonstration of his creative ingenuity. Together, Channel Orange creates an astounding auditory journey, spanning a total of 56 minutes, leaving listeners captivated and yearning for more.

Background

After Frank Ocean’s unease with Def Jam Recordings’ absence, he released Nostalgia, Ultra, his debut mixtape, for free. This is the beginning of the story of Channel Orange, as Frank had been seen by all in the music world. This mixtape would lead to a rush of requests to work with Ocean, many of which became a reality on this project. Following the high success of Nostalgia, Ultra, Def Jam and Ocean mended their relationship, and they planned a follow up album for 2012. Although the mixtape was released in February 2011, Frank had instantly begun work on Channel Orange, beginning his writing in the same month. Frank had reunited with his producer and songwriter Malay, and they began to collaborate on the project.

Ocean felt more confident as a songwriter on this project than his prior, so he composed the songs on his laptop. Using some of his personal experiences, he began constructing each song intricately, interwinding his own life to tell a story. Many assume that Channel Orange is a story about Frank Ocean, but it is often noted that it is not as well. It is believed Frank used some of his own story, however, felt more like a storyteller of an experience he created. The media began to question his sexuality and his political views, which became headlines before the release. Frank continued to work on the project and negated these rumors.

Writing / Recording

The project was built in many different locations, spanning from his own mansion to numerous studios scattered around Los Angeles. Most of the album was recorded, however, at EastWest Studios in Hollywood. His intention was to rent equipment to record at his rented mansion, however, only three tracks ended up recording there: “Lost,” “Pyramids,” and “Analog 2.” The latter of which did not end up on the project. Frank took on a majority of the production, with assistance from Malay. Malay also played the guitar, bass, keyboards, and brass for Channel Orange. Seeking diversity from anything heard in R&B prior, Malay and Ocean listened to many older records to find inspiration, including Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, and Jimi Hendrix.

The project had wrapped up writing two to three months into the process, where Om’Mas Keith was brought in to rework some of the tracks. While many of the tracks were bare or digital, Keith reworked the tracks with live instruments, producing much of the final product. Much of the live strings, drums, and brass was added in after initial production was completed. Then, the collaborations began pouring in. Pitching the project to Andre 3000 and John Mayer, this was just the beginning. Pharrell Willliams, one of Frank’s heroes, took notice from his debut mixtape, and he co-produce and wrote “Sweet Life.” With all the recording and producing complete, Frank finally felt he had a project worth releasing.

Vocals

Frank’s vocals undeniably emerge as the clear standout on the album, leaving an indelible impression on listeners. It becomes abundantly apparent that he possesses an extraordinary prowess for singing with remarkable pitch. His captivating vocals take the forefront on tracks that truly shine, including “Sierra Leone” and “Bad Religion”; however, it’s important to note that his vocal mastery extends across every single track on the album, leaving a lasting impact from start to finish.

Notably, with only three featured artists on the album, Frank Ocean astoundingly manages to demonstrate his remarkable vocal abilities on each and every track. Speaking of the featured artists, Andre 3000’s appearance on the track “Pink Matter” serves as compelling evidence of Frank Ocean’s ability to seamlessly match and adapt to diverse flows. Despite the distinct style of one-half of OutKast, Frank Ocean effortlessly incorporates it into his own musical style, transforming it into something uniquely his own.

Production

Furthermore, the beats on the tracks seemingly match Frank’s flow and style, which elevates the music to the next level of adaptability. Frank’s production level is top tier throughout the journey, matching almost seamlessly with his vocals and lyricism. On a track like “Lost,” you’re consistently bopping your head and continually in movement, as the song just flows through you. Following up “Lost” with the instrumental of “White,” is amazing, as John Meyer sounds wonderful on a slower beat at times in comparison to the prior beat.

He continues the differential on beats throughout, going from “Monks” to “Forrest Gump.” This truly shows the top-notch production that went into this album, as Frank can easily switch between vibes from one song to the next. The way the beats are crafted perfectly complements Frank’s voice and adds depth to his lyrics. Each track takes you on a different journey, showcasing the versatility and talent of Frank as a musician.

Meaning and Storytelling

One of my personal favorite touches on this album is the meaning and storytelling found in nearly every track. Frank Ocean has an astonishing talent for crafting distinct narratives within each song. Although the songs may not always interconnect, it is truly fascinating how he manages to captivate listeners with diverse meanings and stories that are different on almost every song. Take, for example, “Pyramids”, which presents a storyline revolving around Cleopatra, portraying her as a goddess and a sex worker. This concept holds a much deeper message than what meets the eye, which makes the nearly 10-minute song engaging. 

Conversely, “Sweet Life” dives into the contrasts between wealth and poverty, highlighting the idealistic lifestyles of both social groups and expressing disapproval towards the superficial extravagance associated with the affluent. Looking at “Crack Rock,” Frank utilizes his personal experience from Narcotics Anonymous (which his grandfather had led), building on his knowledge of abusers. These personal touches, while don’t lead the project to a true personal feel, adds a layer of emotional meaning to Ocean. Ultimately, the versatility of these songs allows the messages of Channel Orange, to be appreciated either at surface level or through their intricate lyricism, effectively showcasing Frank Ocean’s genius.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Channel Orange is an exceptional example of genius storytelling and exemplary vocals coming together to create one of the classics of the early 2010s. It is truly a remarkable album. All in all, Channel Orange deserves a rating of 9.1/10 and never fails to disappoint every time I go back to re-listen to it. It continues to leave a lasting impression and stands as a testament to Frank Ocean’s incredible talent and skill as a musician.

Best Feature: While the album was limited with features, Andre 3000’s feature on “Pink Matter” stands tall in comparison to the others. It once again demonstrates Frank’s ability to produce a song that seamlessly blends his own unique vibe with that of any other artist featured on his tracks. Although Frank initially wanted both members of OutKast on this track, Ocean makes do with Andre and projects an amazing track.

Weakest Track: While “Monks” is not a bad song, it falls short in comparison to the rest of the tracklist. It simply has nothing that stands out in comparison to the rest of the tracklist.

Strongest Track: The track that undoubtedly shines the brightest is “Pyramids.” Lasting nearly ten minutes, it manages to captivate and engage its audience throughout. The combination of its catchy flow, compelling storytelling, and exceptional vocal capabilities makes it one his best songs to date.

Song Rankings

1. “Pyramids”
2. “Sweet Life”
3. “Pink Matter” (feat. Andre 3000)
4. “Bad Religion”
5. “Lost”
6. “Sierra Leone”
7. “Super Rich Kids” (feat. Earl Sweatshirt)
8. “Thinkin Bout You”
9. “Forrest Gump”
10. “Crack Rock”
11. “White” (feat. John Meyer)
12. “Pilot Jones”
13. “Monks”

Final Notes

As always, take the reviews as opinion pieces. Not everyone will share the same views. As for these opinions, leave them below to share your thoughts. We also suggest subscribing to our emails to keep up to date with posts. To do so, go under the tab “Contact” and fill out the contact form. This will allow you to receive weekly emails of recaps. Finally, go give Channel Orange a listen for yourself.