Blonde the album Ocean has reportedly teased for more than a year asBoys Dont Cry is something else entirely.
Its a startling about-face for the man considered to be one of pops most mysterious figures.
Read on for EWs first-listen highlights from the long-awaited project.
Credit: Frank Ocean
Ocean recruited a staggering roster of collaborators.
Longtime Odd Future cohort Tyler, the Creator is also listed.
Likely by design, Ocean still hadnt provided credits for specific tracks as of Sunday afternoon.
The immediately discernible guests deliver.
Two of the highest-profile collaborators onBlonde Beyonce and Andre 3000 are easily distinguishable.
Her harmonies with Ocean predictably astound.
Guitars defineBlonde.
Blondeis a lyrical tour de force.
And on Nights, Ocean references shooters killing left and right.
ButBlondedoesnt skimp on the personal narratives that have always been central to Oceans work.
If I could see through walls, I could see youre faking, Ocean intones on Ivy.
If you could see my thoughts, you would see our faces.
For all the anxiety,Blondeis a hell of a stoner album.
Its hell on Earth and the citys on fire, goes the emotive chorus of Solo.
Inhale, inhale, thats heaven.
On Nights, he declares, Rolling marijuana, thats a cheap vacation.
