Released: 2012

Genres: R&B, Neo-Soul

The Musiquarium’s channel ORANGE Review Score: 10 out of 10

After releasing the acclaimed nostalgia,ULTRA. mixtape and appearing on the JAY-Z and Kanye West collaboration album Watch the Throne, Frank Ocean was quickly becoming a hot item in music. He was posed to be the next big R&B star, and it all came together like a dream on the generational channel ORANGE.

Lead single Thinkin Bout You basically rewrites the rules for the next decade of R&B, with sincerity, soul and a sound as smooth as the creamiest of butters. Sierra Leone is a jam worthy of late night drives through a neon-soaked city. Super Rich Kids features rapper Earl Sweatshirt, with a sample of Elton John’s Benny and the Jets. The addictive Crack Rock warns of the dangers of the titular drug.

The nearly 10 minute-long Pyramids is the type of R&B epic that R. Kelly probably wishes he could have written, had he not been too busy urinating on minors. Lost is the type of radio hit that I wouldn’t mind listening to, compared to the garbage they actually play on most stations. Monks is a powerhouse of funk, with a tasty bassline. The semi-retired André 3000 makes an appearance on the laidback Pink Matter.

channel ORANGE is not only one of the best albums of 2012, but one of the best albums of the decade.

Trivia: channel ORANGE won Best Progressive R&B Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Frank Ocean on Discogs.

Back to the 2012 Album Guide or the Frank Ocean Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard