Even today, it sounds like it was produced 50 years in the future - especially in its more experimental second half. There is truly something for everyone to relate to on this album, and can help younger audiences and future generations find something for themselves as they listen.Īnd finally, this album was way ahead of its time as far as the way it sounds. Ocean taps into so many basic human emotions and experiences throughout the record, from falling in love to experiencing a breakup. I find myself continually compelled to revisit “Blonde” because I discover new things about the album every time I listen to it, such as the little audio bursts on “White Ferrari” or Beyoncé’s background vocals on “Pink+White.” That cloud of mystery that swirls around the album makes it very enticing to come back to and continue to try and understand everything the record has to offer.Īlthough it’s thematically complex, another thing that allows “Blonde” to stand the test of time is its relatability. The mystifying nature of Ocean has made “Blonde” infinitely more re-listenable. His extremely private personal life has made him an enigmatic and mysterious figure in the music industry, and that sense of mystery hovers around this album as well. Ocean has been largely off the grid since the release of “Blonde.” He’s had the occasional feature or one-off single, but a lot of people don’t know who Ocean actually is as a person. The Guardian gave it a rare five-star rating, calling it “one of the most intriguing and contrary records ever made.” But after five years, does it still hold that same luster and appeal? Pitchfork went as far as to name it the best album of the 2010s. Rolling Stone named it the 12th-best album of the 2010s. It’s a modern collector’s item that will only grow in value and is one of the most important R&B releases of the last few years.Ever since its 2016 release, Frank Ocean’s “Blonde” has seen its fair share of praise. Two years on, the price has stabilised somewhat, but you’d be hard pushed to nd a sealed copy for less than £300. Naturally, the album sold out within minutes of going on sale exclusively through Ocean’s website, and copies appeared online for extortionate prices, within minutes. It was a one-time run of 1,000 copies on double black vinyl, with a black and white sleeve as opposed to the full-colour image used on the digital release. It had already been bootlegged, with several poor-quality coloured pressings, but the authentic pressing was manufactured to stand out. It’s unlike anything else released in 2016.īlond’s physical release came three months later, on RSD Black Friday. Blond is left open to interpretation for the most part, and is musically dense, with an intoxicating vibe that weaves in and out of every track – and the subtle hooks and melodies given enough space to breathe.
Ocean used it to explore his sense of romance and confusion, while often remaining ambiguous and introverted.
Also styled as Blonde, it was the songwriter’s first album since Channel Orange in 2012.Īfter the digital release alone, the album was attracting significant attention, and it became one of the most critically acclaimed releases of the year.
Rarely do albums become worth 10 times their retail price within a matter of days, but such was the case with Frank Ocean’s 2016 release Blond. Frank Ocean’s 1,000-limited run of his modern R&B classic, Blond, is a dream find for record collectors and a rewarding listen to boot…
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