I never listen to mixtapes, ever. This isn’t a mixtape. ‘nostalgia, ULTRA’ is one of the best albums of 2011. I have no idea how or why record labels didn’t realize how good it was. Of course after the mixtape became incredibly popular (WHERE WAS I WHEN THIS HAPPENED?)

The mixtape was picked up by Def Jam 3 months later, Frank really blew up. I mean his album is already being called the best album of 2012, but yeah I didn’t like Channel Orange that much. Kanye West, who was a big fan of the mixtape later asked him to come sing on his “Watch The Throne” album.

‘nostalgia, ULTRA’ is an evolution for R&B and Hip Hop. Its personal, beautiful, true and it shows. The album also hosts some remakes of songs from Coldplay and the Eagles, which I didn’t care much for, but only because the calibre of the original songs was set so high.

Frank Ocean now enjoys a cult following, and why not? Listen to the following to understanding exactly why.

Swim Good

Favorite line: “One more mile till the road runs out, I’m about to drive in the ocean.”

Pyrite (Fool’s Gold)

Favorite Line: “Please forgive me for feeling like it’s all your fault, a heavy heart can’t carry blame for the loss”

Novacane

Favorite Line: “You put me on a feelin’ I never had, never had, never had and ever since I’ve been tryna get it back, pick it up and put it back”

There Will Be Tears

Favorite part: “there may be smiles, but a few, and when those tears have run out, you will be numb and blue”

Despite the song having a very melancholic theme (its about his grand father’s death) it has a beautiful vibe that really summirizes what I’ve been trying to say. But thats what I like about his music, it keeps you guessing and its almost never what it seems.

One last note, you can download the album for free (legally) from here.