Scott Campbell

Channel Orange

by Frank Ocean

Released July 10, 2012 · 55:47

The first time I ever heard Frank Ocean, excluding the "potato flew around my room" vine, was in the car with my sister. I think she was playing Pyramids but honestly I don't remember. All I remember thinking was "Why is this guy's last name Ocean? That's not a real last name." I was totally onto him because that is not in fact his real last name. While Channel Orange wasn't the first Frank Ocean album I listened to, it was for a ton of people and I think it's so iconic for just that reason. This album is really what blew him up in the public space and I will forever be grateful for that cuz I just love this album as well as everything that came before and after it. Within the liner notes of Channel Orange there was a note titled "thank you's." Unless you're a superfan, you probably would never know that this existed but it's very key to the story of this album and I would highly recommend you read it (here). Given I wrote basically nothing about Blonde, I just want to mention that if you are a fan of either of these albums, I highly recommend you check out Dissect season 4. This is a podcast I fell in love with after listening to this season because I have never heard anyone dissect this album to the same extent that Cole Cuchna does. This dude is genuinely a genious. With that all being said, Channel Orange is genuinely magnificently put together, and while it is my least favorite of his four albums/mixtapes, I still love it with all my heart. My favorites here are Super Rich Kids, Pyramids, Bad Religion, and Pink Matter. I can't always pick just two songs, especially when an album is made by an artist as special to me as Frank. Please listen if you haven't! I think I'll probably do Endless and Nostalgia, Ultra sometime soon so keep an eye out for those :)