Channel Orange: What did "...Excuse Us, We're Young" think?

Earlier this week Frank Ocean’s debut album ‘Channel Orange’ was released, shooting straight to Number One on both the American and UK iTunes charts, but was it as good as we had all hoped? In short, we think yes. The album as a whole can be described as a masterpiece with the diverse tracks flowing effortlessly from beginning to end. Accompanied with the raspy, yet smooth voice of Frank; some features from other artists including Andre 3000 and fellow Odd Future-ite, Earl Sweatshirt; some heartfelt lyrics; this could possibly be the album of the year. There is no doubt that Frank has the balance perfect: a masterful songwriter with a beautiful voice.

Our individual thoughts.... 

"This album has an authentic and fluid feel about it-that’s what I like about Frank Ocean, he writes so beautifully and it translates into his music, like he’s writing a novel beginning to end. I'm not saying that his music is easy to understand and that I know the meaning of every song fully, but that’s what’s great about it because as you listen to it you discover new things and put more of the pieces together. My Favourite songs have to be Lost, Super- rich kids (simply because I love the fact that he sampled Mary J Blige's 'real love') , Pilot Jones and Forrest Gump. However, like his last mix tape I'll probably keep on changing my mind as to what my favourites are. The question we will probably all ask is whether this album is better than Nostalgia (BIG PAUSE)... I can honestly say that he hasn't quite topped it (but that may just be because it was his first creation and the first time we all fell in love with his music)- It's so hard when you set the bar so high! I'm excited to see what he has in store for his fans in the future"

Yetz xx 

"When I first heard 'Channel Orange', I was blown away. Everything from the beats to Frank's voice intrigued me and I constantly wanted more. Now, on it's [insert ridiculous number] play I still love it, but there are now certain songs such as 'Pyramids' (I severely overplayed this song when it was leaked) and 'Pilot Jones' which I automatically skip. I feel like with 'Nostalgia, Ultra' I still haven't reached that point with any of the songs.

My favourite tracks would have to be: 'Sweet Life' for the beat, Frank's voice, the message ('Why see the world when you got the beach' seems to me like Frank's saying the woman in the song has the attitude that she can turn her back to the real problems of life and she never has to leave 'the beach'); 'Forrest Gump', not only because it's one of my favourite films, but also again because of the beat and Frank's voice; and finally 'Bad Religion' simply because of the emotion you can hear when Frank sings and the simplicity of the message. It's even better live and if you haven't I'd urge you to view the video of him singing it live on the Jimmy Falcon show. Amazing.

'Channel Orange' as a whole does live up to my expectations, but is it better than 'Nostalgia, Ultra'? I don't think so."

Rachael.

"I think its so refreshing to have an artist like Frank Ocean on the rise, as so many 'R&B artists' of recent times really don't do much for me. His voice is amaze, and his songs have a message - a step up from auto-tune and songs about turning your swag on. Although I reeaally do not see myself getting bored of this album anytime, I also prefer Nostalgia, Ultra too.. maybe mixtapes are better; maybe I'm wrong.. Anyway, my top three songs on this album are:

1. Bad Religion; his voice is just too much for my life, and is like the song that needed to come out with his letter.

2. Pink Matter; probably because of Andre 3000 but I just think its a beautiful song. I love the metaphors used throughout the song every time I listen there's always something new I notice.

3.Sierra Leone/Super Rich Kids/Lost/Thinking About You/Sweet Life/Forrest Gump; because I can't choose and its my blog so I get to do what I want.

Genuinely hope that more talent like Mr. Ocean comes about because I cant deal with the crapola released these days, either that or take me back to the 90s."
Lula

"Where to even start. Frank Ocean himself is a masterpiece, Nostalgia, Ultra was a masterpiece and Channel Orange is also a masterpiece. I was always (and still am) going to buy this but I was so happy to see it on his tumblr. After playing it once it was decided that it would be my summer album and I've played it every morning since.


Yetunde introduced me to Frank Ocean in first year of uni and I played Nostalgia, Ultra through the whole of my revision period and then downloaded The Lonny Breaux Collection. I also love him as a songwriter and Quickly (John Legend & Brandy) and I Miss You (Beyonce) are flawless.

Choosing my top 3 is actually just dishonest; I like every song, could write about them all and my top 3 will most definitely change so I wrote the first 3 I really remembered from the first day I played the album (all morning):

1. Sweet Life probably held my attention first and foremost. Everything about it is so pretty. It fits so perfectly after Sierra Leone. Why see the world, when you got the beach?

2. Super Rich Kids. It's different, I like it.

3. Pink Matter. The day I heard Andre 3000 was featuring was a good day in my book. The guy is a genius, this song did not disappoint.

The remastered version of Thinking About You is, in my opinion, easily one of the best songs Ocean has ever done, the instruments get me every time I listen to it. Forrest Gump is genius, Crack Rock is a favourite, and Pilot Jones reminds me slightly of Justin Timberlake on Justified, never a bad thing. I also love the interludes.

I'm not sure whether to even compare it to Nostalgia, Ultra. I think mixtapes are always "better" in a way as they are more raw and fresh. It's one of the best mixtapes and debuts I've ever heard. Anyone who uses samples and makes the song THAT good deserves applause. I'm not sure which I prefer, BUT I think they're different, you can see the growth from Nostalgia, Ultra to Channel Orange.

Now, I NEED to see him live."

Aniesha.