Revisiting the Classics: Channel Orange by Frank Ocean

With Timothée Chalamet making orange cool again, it’s no wonder I found myself gravitating back to Channel Orange by Frank Ocean.

Originally listened to on Spotify through wired headphones and a third-gen iPod Touch, I was more than ready to give it a second go.

Surrounded by dim lighting and speakers at the ready, I hit play.

Album Release Date: July 10 2012

Age at first listen: 14

Age this listen: 28

Start 

I had to double check if my phone was on. It was. 

Thinkin Bout You

My body immediately started swaying to the beat, slipping deeper into a flow state as each lyric poured out of my mouth effortlessly. I was ready for the rest of the album.

I remembered the power it held, and with a classic like this, I knew I was good to go.

Fertilizer

I don’t think I ever realized there was a layer over Frank’s vocals in “Fertilizer.” I didn’t get that it was meant to sound like a tape. I used to think liking this song was edgy, and I definitely tried to force myself to like it.

Now, I don’t love it -- but I don’t hate it either.

Sierra Leone

“Sierra Leone” is a lot groovier than I remember. I’m so glad I have my listening (living) room set up with a lamp, a fuzzy carpet, and a candle. This song made me feel smoooth and velvety.

My cat playing beside me was just sweetening the moment. Play this song when you want to feel like you’re lying on your bedroom floor in a ’70s film.

Sweet Life 

I think I liked this song a lot more when I was younger. Now, I’m not loving it. In true listening-party fashion, I’m not skipping it -- I’m giving it a chance -- but I won’t be adding it to my playlists.

Why see the world when you’ve got the beach -- I really relate to this line. Why do I still long to explore when I haven’t fully taken advantage of what I have at home?

Not Just Money 

I like these little breaks in this album. They make me feel like I'm on a phone call or listening in public. 

Super Rich Kids

Forever a classic. Back when this song came out, I lived in a very affluent neighborhood. My parents didn’t come from that world, and I didn’t really live in it myself, but I got to experience bits and pieces of it. I used to listen to this song imagining I was like the kids I went to school with.

Now that I’m older and actually listening to the song, I’m realizing that I never actually listened to the lyrics. A lot of the super-rich kids I knew now live lives that I wouldn’t necessarily want for myself. I also love the part with Earl Sweatshirt coming in, that switch at 2:30 that brings back the OFWGKTA sound I love.

Pilot Jones

I don’t think I really paid attention to this song in 2012. Okay, 0:28… okay. I can respect the artistry in the song, but unfortunately the lyrics don’t flow as much as I’d like them to. The airplane sound at the end also feels kind of long.

*Post-listen, Google for “Who is Pilot Jones”: Pilot Jones is about a girl addicted to drugs who he wants to sober up. She’s addicted to the drugs, while he’s addicted to her. She’s the pilot, going high. Reddit says it’s about a dealer you’re seeing, while Genius says it compares first love to a drug -- “a pilot is one who drives or steers,” likening how lovers are jonesing, or craving each other, to a pilot guiding them toward one another.

Crack Rock 

Loving the intro -- it reminds me of NYC jazz bars. I could def see myself using this song in a video. OOF, those lyrics. “You don’t know how little you matter” is a quote I’ve lived with, and I love that it hits as a punch right out of the gate. If this were The Voice, I’d smash that button -- instant yes, yes, yes when the vocals came in. The bassline!!

2:00 — oof. “To get the fixing that you’re itching for,” and the lines that follow just hit. Damn, 2:36… how topical. We need to start using this sound for revolution TikToks. WAIT -- DJs could also sneak it into their sets as a slick protest, no?

Pyramids 

I loved this song in 2012, and I still love it to this day — I actually put it on aux just the other week. I love the layers of “Cleopatra,” and then the total vibe swap at 1:12, and again around 3:50-ish. I’d love for this song to be reintroduced into DJ sets this year!

 “Set the cheetahs on the loose… there’s a thief out on the move” is such a great little rhyme. I did feel like it ran a bit long, though, especially since I was listening straight through the whole album.

Lost

Another song I still listen to quite frequently -- Lost feels like it has a sprinkle of glitter added. It’s a song that I've related many parts of my life to, not in the story, but just in the fact that, I was frequently, at my core, lost. I feel like this is the first year that I'm listening to it as an art form, not a coping mechanism.

White

I felt like I was in an airport lounge or fancy waiting room. I'm also confused how John Mayer contributed to this song. 

*Post-listen research: John Mayer is listed as an associated performer because he was responsible for the guitar on the tune. I also didn't realize that Tyler, The Creator produced parts of the album... am I a... fake fan? 

Monks

OOF. I like the drums in this song. The way he says “cool waters,” then the flow!!

 I definitely didn’t give this one a chance when I was younger. This song just oozes cool -- coolest on the album so far. 1:46!! Again, applause for those drums!!

Bad Religion

Wow. I didn’t pay this enough attention and had to scroll back to the beginning.

The power in the organ, the call-out to the taxi driver, the way it forms a story -- I love the drama and the lyricism. Knowing that Frank Ocean was openly gay, I can’t help but wonder if this song was a coming-out moment (“I can never make him love me”).

*Post-listen research: Frank Ocean came out via a letter on Tumblr on July 3, 2012. His album came out one week later, on July 10, 2012. 

Pink Matter

I like the chanting in the background -- the way it comes and goes. It’s a really, really nice song, but I can’t stop thinking about Mulan. I don’t know why; I just picture the warrior dudes chanting and sharpening swords while practicing. This could honestly work really well for an animation of Chinese warriors… though yeah, the lyrics don’t match that vibe at all.

2:26 -- that bass line… I’m a bit inspired. OOF, André 3000 at 2:40 brings a whole new life to it. Okay, okay. I’m into it.

Forrest Gump

I’ve actually never seen Forrest Gump, so I’m sure I’m missing a lot of the point. As a casual listener, though, this song flows so well. I like that it’s linked to another piece of art -- it creates a whole world.

While repetitive, every piece of this song fits together perfectly.

End 

After the 40-second mark, I really didn’t like the song. I actually stopped it at 1:17 because it gave me the feeling that something spooky was behind me. I ended up needing to play happier songs afterward because I was freaked out and didn’t want to spend the rest of my night in fear.

Favorites in 2012: Thinkin Bout You, Fertilizer, Sweet Life, Super Rich Kids, Pyramids, Lost, Forrest Gump

Favorites now: Thinkin Bout You, Super Rich Kids, CRACK ROCK, Pyramids, Lost, MONKS, Bad Religion

Reminder: This is my opinion!! It doesn't mean I don't respect yours!!

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