Channel/Orange

When the name Frank Ocean comes to mind, a plethora of ideas, names, and thoughts arise with it.  Singer/Songwriter, modern day music phenom, and recently self outed young man.  What's missing from those accolades is his recent and massively popular album "Channel Orange".  His most recent project can easily be described as the channel to his life.  Comprised of R&B sung hooks, and an incredibly honest expulsion of events and experiences Frank has come across, of which have formed this title color.

The first full length track "Thinkin Bout You" explains a relationship where his admirer felt something towards him and he did as well but not quite the same and somehow in it all he can't stop thinking about them.  Before "Sweet Life" and "Super Rich Kids" interludes help push along the next thought process due to occur involving the overly privileged wealthy, their offspring and the luxuries that are toxic but vitally a way of life for some.  "Pyramids" is a blue and gold upbeat layout of the beautiful Cleopatra of Egypt before she's degraded down to an oh so familiar modern day vixen caught in the trenches of a gentlemans club that she ultimately is queen of.

There are also a couple of tracks "Pilot Jones" and "Crack Rock", dedicated to the addicts controlled by substance abuse and laziness accompanying the stereotypical weed heads.  On more than one occasion, black and white messages somehow slide in and out of multiple realities saturated in melodic over tones, creative and sometimes less technical engineering which give this piece of music it's signature sound.

As the program nears it's end, Frank unleashes "Bad Religion", "Pink Matter", and "Forrest Gump".  Every listener has their favorite but the three together enable you to lightly touch on Frank Ocean's love forum encrypted with lines describing the black grip love can hold on someone, the feelings associated with a womans gift, and the last bittersweet memories of a man today only know as "Forrest Gump".

Channel Orange is an amazing display of honesty, blurring socially acceptable boundaries and creating a prolific preview of this generations true creativity.  If you haven't listened to the album yet, I strongly encourage you to.  You might not be able to put it down for a while.