Frank Ocean – “Blonde”

In a year with a multitude of incredible musical releases, it took something truly special to hold the distinct honor of the top-spot on this album list. As a casual listener of Frank Ocean before this year, his new release was on my radar, but not something I was closely following. False release dates began surfacing, a magazine was published, and an experimental video separate from the album was released, all which caused my interest to peak. When the album finally dropped on Aug. 20, I can genuinely say that it was a life-altering experience for me.

Upon one listen, I was startled and immensely moved by Ocean’s ability to speak about his everyday struggles, his dissatisfaction with fame and materialism, and his search for a higher meaning. This fascinating theme is complemented by sheer emotion in his vocal performances. The lyricism has the distinct quality of allowing the listener to see into Ocean’s mind, but also feel as if he wrote them out of his understanding of their own experiences.

What sets the album apart from everything else this year is its ability to be both minimalist yet maximalist, vibrant yet subdued, and personal yet distant. The complexity sonically, lyrically, and emotionally makes it an extremely rewarding listen. Even after thirty or so listens, I am still discovering new elements and am still enthralled by it. I am confident that “Blonde” will be remembered and analyzed for many years to come. It is truly a masterwork.