The Duality of Frank Ocean’s “Blonde”
I think Frank Ocean is what I want music to be, the true raw expression of emotion.
Frank Ocean is widely recognized for his musical style, introspective and elliptical songwriting, unconventional production techniques, and wide vocal range; he’s considered one of the most acclaimed artists of his generation. For me personally, Ocean is the most vivid and true representation of what artist is supposed to mean - transferring one’s own experiences and emotions to art in a way that would be relevant and close to anyone perceiving the artwork.
Furthermore, Frank possesses at least two more traits of a true artist; first being the way he has built himself as a persona, and the way he implements his artistic vision into details that are much less obvious for a regular consumer. In this article, we will see what exactly the second part means by analyzing the message behind Frank’s last album, “Blonde”.
The “Nights” Transition
The album’s concept explores heavily on falling in and out of love; themes of self-love and hate, failed relationships, family, drugs, and depression can be found throughout. These themes intertwine to create a complex and nuanced project, which stands as Ocean’s most vulnerable.
— Genius
Besides more or less evident interpretations of the album, the idea of falling in an out of love can be explored through the way the track list is composed. The duality of it can be seen not only by the dynamic of love and hate, but also by the fact album’s title comes in two spellings (“Blond” and “Blonde”), and even more, by the order of the songs.
The entire album is exactly 60 minutes long, and there is something that marks 30 minutes of album, splitting it in halves. If you listened to the album at least once - you definitely remember that one moment that is confusing, yet so satisfying it gives you goosebumps. It’s the change in tempo in “Nights”, after the chaotic distorted electric guitar riff, when music turns somber and slow.
If you count “Nights” as both the last song of the first part and the first song of the second part, you will get the album split in two halves, where every song has a mirroring song in the other part.
3. Pink + White / Pretty Sweet
Pink + White
“Pink + White” is about remembering the loved ones that passed away and the lessons they taught you. In the second verse Frank mentions a hurricane that destroys everything in its path; that is likely a reference to Hurricane Katrina, which hit Louisiana while Frank studied in New Orleans.
Mortality and death play a key role in the song, and it’s not only the mortality of an individual. Basically, “Pink + White” is all about good times coming to an end and accepting the inconsistency of life.
Gimme something sweet
Bitch, I might like immortality
This is life, life immortality
Pretty Sweet
What it means to be alive on this side
(Said you wanna kill me now)
On this side
(Don’t let me down)
On this side
(Down, down)
Fuck the other side
I’m on this side, I’m on this side, I’m on this side
Unlike “Pink + White”, in “Pretty Sweet” Frank tells us that the dead are dead, they’re on the other side, whereas we are still here. If “Pink + White” tells us to find peace in the mortality of our loved ones and the good itself, its mirroring song says “fuck the other side’’, live here and now.
This is also a reference to the fact we’re on the other side of the album. “Pretty Sweet” is the first fully developed song after “Nights”, and Frank takes a moment to remind us the album is all about two perspectives.
4. Be Yourself / Facebook Story
Both of these tracks are interludes and skits: “Be Yourself” is a voice message from Rosie Watson, the mother of one of Frank’s childhood friends, and “Facebook Story” is French producer SebastiAn recalling how his relationship fell apart over accusations of infidelity over Facebook.
Don’t try to be someone else
Don’t try to be like someone else
Don’t try to act like someone else
Be yourself, be secure with yourself
Rely and trust upon your own decisions
On your own beliefs
The first one is about a loved one deeply caring for you, and being afraid you might ruin your life; it ends with “This is mom, call me, bye”. Whereas, the second interlude is about lack of trust and communication, and it ends with a girl cutting the guy off and leaving.
So I say, “I’m in front of you
I don’t need to accept you on Facebook”
She starting to be crazy
She thought that because I didn’t accept her
She thought I was cheating
She told me like, uh, “It’s, it’s over, I can’t believe you”
Nikes / Nights / Futura Fee
Since “Nikes” is the first song of the entire album, and “Futura Fee” is the last one, both of them correlate with “Nights”. The first part of the song mirrors “Futura Fee” (since it’s the last song of the first part), and, therefore, “Nights” after the transition mirrors “Nikes”.
“Nikes” criticizes materialistic mindset, describing women being attracted to Frank because of his money and connections. It mentions Nike shoes and items of luxury such as gold and glitter, as well as drugs, money and fantasies of pleasure. In the second part of “Nights”, however, Frank tells us about literally not having a home nor even a mattress to sleep on after Hurricane Katrina, and how a trip to fairly inexpensive restaurant Shoney’s was a special occasion for his family.
Your apartment out in Houston’s where I waited
Stayin’ with you when I didn’t have a address
Fuckin’ on you when I didn’t own a mattress
Workin’ on a way to make it outta Texas, every night
In “Futura Fee”, the last song of the album, Frank reflects on his success from a very humble position, addressing his mother. Frank reminds himself that even though it sometimes feels like he’s a god, he’s not; as well as that music is his therapy, not something he expected to get paid for. Circling back to corresponding part of “Nights”, we should expect something that demonstrates the opposite of Frank’s success. Not surprisingly, the first part of the song mentions low-class life, his cocaine addiction and robbery.
By the end of the day, it’s not the complex structure of the album that gives off Ocean’s talent. It’s not that hard to make up something complicated and call it art, leaving everyone around under an impression. The beauty of this idea and how it was embodied in the album, is that it’s not that big of a deal.
Frank gives each listener according to their need. You want something to vibe to while you’re having an existential crisis at 4 am? Do you want a deep connection to music you’re listening to? Is it the good poetry that you value in a song? Perhaps, maybe you enjoy exploring different sides of one project years after years and partaking in a unique performance designed to reveal the nature of your inner world?
Whatever might be the question, the greatest talent is to answer each of them and leave every request satisfied. Frank Ocean proves art is not about being a loud snob that preaches about his talent to the chosen ones; art is a universal language that everyone speaks and everyone relates to.