

So far we’ve heard elements typical of an R&B record. “Super Rich Kids” contrasts “Sweet Life’s” silky setting with staccato hits that leaves a lot of space that Ocean is able to weave together with his glassy accompaniment.


Despite these advantages (or in Ocean’s case, set backs), he cries out for that which is real and meaningful, including love. “Super Rich Kids,” two songs later, continues the theme, as both deal with being young, wealthy, and having too much time to kill. The smoothest song on the album has to be “Sweet Life.” Leading with a soft Rhodes and pushed along by a jumpy bass line, this song epitomizes the R&B aesthetic. The falsetto featured on “Pilot Jones” shows disparity in the deep, sputtering background. ABesides Ocean’s songwriting skills, his singing talents are showcased on songs like “Thinking Bout You” and “Pilot Jones.” He is able to seamlessly transition from his typically crooning vocals to falsetto and back. Days before Ocean released the divulging letter on his tumblr he posted, “ORANGE REMINDS ME OF THE SUMMER I FIRST FELL IN LOVE. The album and the person who created it are, in this case, inseparable. I’d like to not make this review about Ocean’s recent revelation as a bisexual, but too many tracks deal with the subject. These concepts have been seen before, but it’s the angle in which Ocean sees them that makes them fresh. Frank Ocean’s debut LP, channel ORANGE, is an album of undirected life and young love.
