With a smoothness and poise that belies his relative inexperience in the music world, Frank Ocean delivers an excellent tape with Nostaliga, Ultra. Tracks like the Coldplay-infused “Strawberry Swing,” the standout, synth-laden “Novacane” and the funkier, yet still laid-back “Songs For Women” are extremely polished, full compositions, while still being punctuated by a young man who’s as likely to deliver an earnest love song as to tell tales of putting pictures of tits on his car windows or smoking a bong with a porn star who wants to be a dentist. It may not quite jibe with the violent imaginings of his Odd Future compatriots, but Ocean’s off-kilter sense of R&B sensibilities is a welcome breath of fresh air in an often-repetitive genre.
Download — Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra Mixtape | Alt. Link | Alt. Link
Via Odd Future
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Great Album…..
Great album…it’s completely different than what you would think of a OFWGKTA member, nevertheless he is very talented.
Range.
That’s what separates Ocean from the pack. Topically, he’s able to express a broad range of thoughts & ideas & the way he conceptualizes songs takes even the most well worn R&B tropes & makes them seem fresh. Plus the fact that he seems to be just as inspired by Radiohead as he is by The-Dream means the door is wide open for him to make his mark as an individual.
BTW – “Novocaine” is kinda brilliant.
My favorite album so far this year. Def Jam is going to regret not promoting this dude.
dope
The more I listen to this record the more I enjoy it. Frank Ocean needs a stronger promo team and management behind him. A must download.
‘we all try’ playing for the tenth time as I saw this post… dope dope dope album & you guys are always on point, as usual.
hands down best in your field my dudes
Definately one of the dopest albums of the year. Some people can’t even begin to understand the genious behind ODWGKTA.. its savage rap, for sure, but that raw, rugged energy reminds me of what Wu-Tang harnessed. Frank Ocean offsets the gritty work being put in by the WolfGang with incredible swag.. Haven’t stopped playing the tape since it dropped. @BenLampin Good Looks.
*OFWGKTA.
Swim Good is a sick song
Frank Ocean aint no Billy Ocean. I haven’t decided if it is an insult or compliment yet. lol
My man called me the other day specifically to tell me to DL this.
Now I will
Right behind you Beware
its savage rap, for sure, but that raw, rugged energy reminds me of what Wu-Tang harnessed.
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No, stop it now.
Its about time i’ve seen this album on this site lol. I’ve been all over OF since that Fallon performance. This is one of the best R&B(if you can really call it that) joints i’ve heard from at least the past 365.
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its savage rap, for sure, but that raw, rugged energy reminds me of what Wu-Tang harnessed.
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No, stop it now.
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Lol, its almost a fair comparison, though. These guys are all IDGAF and pure energy. There isn’t one weak link in the 11-person crew and I haven’t heard one bad album to come out of their camp. Somebody’s gotta hold down the in-house-hip-hop-collective style, I think Tyler and them are doin a good job of that.
OFWGKTA like the Wu? They have some talented members, but the nut-hugging these guys get is ridiculous. Comparing legends to fads.
Swim Good and We All Try have been on repeat all day. Frank Ocean is very talented he used to go by Lonny Breaux and wrote for Brandy.
Odd future #winning!
Sorry Willie P, but if you were tryna sound like you got on the OF train early – the Fallon performance wasn’t
Otherwise – tape is good – E30 M3 is the best M3 BMW ever made – I just hope that crazy Byrese don’t shit allover this one
Dope EP listen to it daily, & i digg the flip of MGMT’s Electric Feel (that song/beat never gets old). #FuggSteveHarvey
Lord Jesus. This is TOUGH.
Man, miss me with all that comparison shit. This is dope. Point. Blank. Period.
Finally gave it a listen and now I can understand all the praise shown here.
DAMN!!!!
4.5/5
I heard American Wedding on the complex website. Brilliant. I don’t really mess with the other music in his camp but this right here is nice.
This Dude Aint Inexperienced…At All…
God bless Frank Ocean for finally bringing a new, refreshing sound to R&B. We All Try, Swim Good, Novacane… but Strawberry Swing gives the ultimate nostalgia feeling.
I can listen to this mixtape 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and still be hopelessly in love with this EP.
You can try and call it a “fad” but as long as he continues on with his personal accounts and melodic affectations.. I’m a fan.
Someone put, “This Dude Aint Inexperienced…At All…”
Which is exactly what I was going to say! I was like, uhm, who wrote this review cause this dude is NOT new to the game, whatsoever.
Frank Ocean bringing the 90′s R&B back…check him out before he was Frank Ocean…..OFWGKTA http://www.datpiff.com/Frank-Ocean-The-Lonny-Breaux-Collection-mixtape.217235.html
Frank Ocean – Strawberry Swing (The End) http://www.vimeo.com/22659485
I’m hella late to the party but this joint is on repeat I’m loving it.
obsessed with this