Track 1:
Frank Ocean
Do you remember the moment you fell in love with Frank Ocean? I do. My heart swayed and my brain melted the moment I pressed play and began listening to the lonny BREAUX collection. Five years later I am still enamored with this mixtape that displays Ocean’s song writing ability and creative aptitude. I must admit, I’m the type of individual who scours for music and albums that I can listen to from beginning to end, though this feat is sometimes more challenging than I would prefer. Imagine a mixtape with 64 tracks that you can play from beginning to end multiple times. That is a music lovers dream. Luckily for us, it was delivered in this mixtape!
A common joke is that Drake will have you in your feelings missing an ex; psst, there is no comparison when discussing which artist will have you truly in your feelings, missing “bae.” The mixtape begins with “Acura Integurl” which completely captures the sentiment of that ex you ended up introducing to your music, and in turn your way of life. S/He never saw it coming. You never saw yourself falling so hard. You never imagined you would enjoy every minute of it. There is beauty in the beginning stage–when everything feels easy. Moments feel light. Your love steals your breath away each time you manage to catch it. There are numerous songs on the album that have a similar feel, but each amazingly unique.
Does true love last? Of course it does! Does it always last? Of course it doesn’t! This mixtape is created for when it decides to go either way.
Why am I featuring this album so many years after its initial debut? Primarily because I, like so many others, am going through Ocean withdrawal. He promised an album in July 2015—it’s now 2016, and we haven’t heard a word. Yes, he has had an album since this mixtape dropped, but I need more! Channel Orange is a dope album, no doubt, but there is always something about the music that initially drew you to an artist. Besides, if you’ve been following me since my feature days on Urban Knowledge then you know I already wrote an article on his debut album. Hopefully, Frank Ocean will hear all of our bleeding hearts prayers and will drop the new album soon.
Fortunately, there are songs that are helping me cope during this waiting period:
Songs like J.O.B. remind us what love really is–“I catch Z’s at work now, so they’re going to fire me soon. But I’ve been dreaming of our love, I wish my new day job was you…If my job was only to love you there wouldn’t be no recession, ain’t no depression. Ain’t no pressure because it pays way better baby. ” Honestly, let us all take a moment of silence to honor that simplistic beauty.
Another song is “Know Better” which states, “every time you want to argue and stress you always say you could’ve stayed with your ex. Well I guess you could’ve, but deep inside I know that you don’t wish you would’ve. ‘Cause when you was with him you was always checking for the kid.” YES, just YES!
Which song absolutely removes my composure and has me head over feet in love, begging Ocean to release the new album? Lonny, of course! I literally play that song at least 5 times, each listen, before I allowing myself to listen to the other songs on the mixtape. The feel of it is a cloud rubbing itself with silk—that’s how melodically perfect it is.
Do you ever find yourself wishing that people could see your vision as clearly as you? Well, “Read the Stars” might just be your perfect anthem.
“Love on My Piano,” I think the title of this song actually says enough. You’re missing bae and want to have a late night phone call? Then this song is the ideal go to *insert smirk here*.
Have you ever left someone for their benefit even though it pained you profusely? Then you understand “No Bonnie.” This song opens with a harmonious piano playing that alludes to the complexity of the decision being made. In a sense it tackles the question of loving someone unselfishly. You want that person around, but it could potentially be detrimental to their livelihood if you continue to allow them to be by your side. Rather than make that selfish decision, you ensure that they are in a position to be okay and you exit stage left. That amount of self-sacrifice is amazing.
I could continue to go on about how amazing the mixtape is, but it won’t completely fill the Oceanless void. Simply put, Frank Ocean, we need you back because, well, you get us! And trust that we, your patiently waiting fans, get you too! So, it’s okay to come back now. We promise to ride the waves with you–through the moments of tide and calm.
In the mean time, we still have Lonny BREAUX:
-Ms. Malcolm Hughes
Ms. Malcolm Hughes is the editor-in-chief of For Your Black? Conscious. She is a Chicago, IL native–from the city, not the suburbs–strategizing in Washington, D.C. She loves pizza and challenges you to find her a better pie than she gets back home. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter @fybconscious.
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