\'nostalgia, Ultra.\' Review PDF

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An in-depth review of Frank Ocean's 2011 mixtape 'nostalgia, Ultra.'...

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‘nostalgia, ULTRA. - Frank Ocean’ Review Artist Frank Ocean Producer Various Label Self-released Genre R&B Release Date 16th February 2011 Time 42:06

As the whole entire planet and all the distant galaxies impatiently wait for the latest Frank Ocean record, I thought it fitting to review his debut mixtape ‘nostalgia, ULTRA.’ This selfreleased masterpiece gives real meaning to the phrase “the best things in life are free” as Ocean provides polished vocals and masterful production which gives this mixtape a studio album feel.

It begins with an intro named ‘Street Fighter’ which has no relation much to the 1987 video game but has the sounds of a cassette tape being played, presumably Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’. The first two songs are skipped and then the cassette tape is stopped at the end, this transitions perfectly in to the second track on the album: Ocean’s cover of Coldplay’s ‘Strawberry Swing’. This is an incredible rendition of the song, giving it a more R&B vibe and, in my opinion, surpassing Chris Martin vocally.

’Novacane’ was the first single released from the mixtape and it happened to be the first song I heard of his. The slick production by Tricky Stewart and engrossing lyrics combine to make a song that’s enough to get you hooked on Frank Ocean’s music. The next song ‘We All Try’ is about the existential problem that life isn’t black and white, it’s amazingly poetic and Ocean’s vocals are, again, mesmerising.

‘Bitches Talkin’ is one of many interludes on the album, but this one is by far the best. Seemingly a recording of Ocean listening to Radiohead with his girlfriend, but all she wants to listen to is Jodeci. As they argue over the music she comes out with the most musically ignorant quote ever: “what is a Radiohead anyway?” Track six ‘Songs For Women’ stands out more after a few listens, this is the only song on the mixtape where he mixes rap with singing and it fits nicely as he debates the reasons he writes songs.

‘Love Crimes’ is probably the least exciting song on the mixtape, as Ocean’s vocals aren’t used to their full potential, but the song is a nice touch to the mixtape as he sings over dialogue from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’. After another interlude in ‘Goldeneye’ the next full song is a cover of Mr Hudson’s ‘There Will Be Tears’ and yet again he out-

sings the original artist adding his own little spin on to the songs which begins wonderfully with the lyrics: “My grandaddy was a player…”

The tenth track ‘Swim Good’ was released as the second and final single from the mixtape, and rightly so. Much like the first single ‘Novacane’, the production by Midi Mafia has that pristine feel to it and the song allows for Ocean to show a lot of range in his emphatic singing ability. The next song is my favourite from the album and it’s the two-minutes-andthirty-four-second ‘Dust’. The ever so beautiful lyrics fit perfectly with Ocean’s enchanting voice and the song almost reads as poetry.

The penultimate song ‘American Wedding’ caused a lot of controversy as it samples the backing track from The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’. However, I think it should be viewed more as an ode to ‘Hotel California’ rather than a rip-off. The song, had it not been sampled, could have easily been a hit third single as it is performed tremendously and is incredibly emotional in subject matter. ‘Soul Calibur’ is the final interlude and it leads in to the final song ‘Nature Feels’ which heavily samples MGMT’s ‘Electric Feel’. This acts well as nostalgia, ULTRA.’s happy ending; a song all about making love outside.

’nostalgia, ULTRA.’ Is a collection of soulful melodies, fine-tuned production and poetic lyrics that is hard not to fall in love with instantly. After just one listen you can already begin to understand why many people are craving his upcoming album ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. For the sake of humanity we hope that it drops some time in the near future, otherwise it could prove the demise of the whole universe....