Frank Ocean is known for having eclectic taste. Music buffs admire the seamless blend of ambient textures, sensual RnB melodies and indie rock sensibilities running through his music. Equally, fashion fans know that he can be relied upon to deliver the unexpected: whether it was his wonderfully understated Prada look at 2019’s camp-themed Met Gala or the iconic green buzzcut on the cover of Blonde.
Given his track record as someone who likes to leave fans guessing, it comes as no surprise that he’s been drinking in some left-of-field music influences of late. Moving from the slow-jam default of his music to date, he’s revealed to W Magazine that he’s recently been listening to more up-tempo fare. Concretely, he shared that he’s become “interested in club, and the many different iterations of nightlife for music and songs.” Specifically, he name-checked genres like “Detroit, Chicago, techno, house, French electronic” and, due to his personal connection to New Orleans, expressed an interest in the city’s bounce scene.
With this pivot to four on the floor rhythms, should we be gearing up for a techno album from Mr Ocean? Whilst you might not expect his poetic lyricism to pair naturally with dance floor textures, they might just make a match in heaven. As Pitchfork and the Guardian have pointed out, spoken word shares dance music’s focus on rhythm, with the two having been successfully integrated in the past. Don’t trust us? Just check out how well Gil Scott-Heron’s poetry glides over chilly electronic beats.
Whatever form it takes, however, we’re convinced that Ocean’s much-anticipated third album will be worth the wait.
Check out the full interview here.
