Describing the beauty of Frank Ocean’s music is a difficult task. The easiest way to describe his music is a “beautiful state of melancholic bliss”. Ocean is known for his songs about heartbreak and love, both common subjects in today’s music; however, his connection with the listener comes down to the fact that he is not afraid to show his vulnerability in every song.

To me, listening to a Frank Ocean song is more of a journey rather than just listening to a song for 3 or so minutes. Listening to songs like “Thinkin Bout You” and “Lost” takes me back to a simpler time in my life, and I think that’s why many enjoy Frank Ocean, the nostalgia that he provides in his music.

Ocean’s music is not by any means lyrical rap, but rather it’s the simple and almost vague lyrics that could apply to anyone that makes his music so relatable. Take the song “Ivy” for example, the opening line “I thought that I was dreaming, when you said you loved me,” could apply to anyone, making the song seem like Ocean wrote the song specifically about whatever situation you’re dealing with. The feeling of nostalgia and the realization that we can never truly go back to the way we were in the past creates a beautiful and painful narrative.

One of my favorite (and frustrating) things about Frank Ocean is that he releases music every few years. During a time where a lot of music is beginning to sound the same, and artists are releasing more and more music, Ocean does the complete opposite. Ocean released his first studio album “channel ORANGE” in 2012, winning a Grammy, then released his second studio album “Blonde” in 2016. I believe that Frank Ocean prioritizes living his life, and comes back every couple of years to share his life experiences with the world.

Although it has been almost 5 years since the release of “Blonde”, I believe that the music of Frank Ocean is timeless, and seeing that Ocean has been having rough times, the new album will have to wait. Ocean’s music is unique and breaks the barriers of “R&B” and will be enjoyed for generations to come.