The other major hallmark from his career is his expertise at writing deeply personal songs whilst avoiding clichéd self-aggrandising – the use of his personal experiences are merely a way to tether abstract ideas about life to reality. This ability to always be a step ahead of his contemporaries is a defining characteristic of Ocean’s music and has won him praise from industry heavyweights like Kanye West and Beyoncé. Even when surrounded by supremely talented musicians in their own right, he stood out as the crown jewel in a sea of diamonds.

At the time, he was a member of LA hip-hop collective Odd Future, but the lyrical maturity and avant-garde production of this record made it a cut above what any other members of the group were releasing.

In a similar vein to a painting, Blonde can only truly be appreciated when viewed in the context of its creation and, for this, we need to go back to 2011 when Ocean released his debut mixtape, Nostalgia Ultra. This is the album that changed my life.Įven when surrounded by supremely talented musicians in their own right, Ocean stood out as the crown jewel in a sea of diamonds This is the album that opened my eyes to the way that music can speak directly to your soul.

This is an intimate portrait of one of the most enigmatic characters in modern music, painted with his own words. This is not an album, this a religious experience.

Blond frank ocean full album playlist