Pink + White

And Not Plus

Pink + White by Frank Ocean

Recommended by Kim

"Can we just talk about how Frank used Beyonce for back up vocals? Back up vocals. He used Beyonce for BACK UP VOCALS. Only the legend could do that. Thanks for one of the most revolutionary albums of the year, Frank."

No shade at Amir Brandon and his beautiful cover, but the only reason I embedded his video is because Frank Ocean doesn't have a music video for this track.

I highly recommend purchasing Blonde, Ocean's long-awaited second album, or streaming it somewhere, such as Apple Music. The production by Pharrell Williams is  really something, and there's nothing like the emotion from a performance by the original artist (x).

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the second-long intro which honestly sounds like it's about to launch into the Mission Impossible theme song.

Maybe it's just because I haven't listened to Ocean in four years, but this song hits me with waves of nostalgia. I'm not sure if that feeling is created by the lazy piano accompaniment, which includes a section of the same note being repeated 8 times, or the lyrics.

I was trying to figure out whether it was about a breakup, romantic or otherwise, or if it was discussing the end of a certain period of your life. I guess it doesn't matter.

When Frank croons “It’s all downhill from here,” it sounds like a resignation, an acknowledgement that this will be as good as it ever gets. But the corollary is that right now, at this moment, you’re at your peak. For a generation that struggles to live in the moment, it’s an oddly reassuring statement. (source)

That, to me, is beautiful.

Last, we do have to talk about Bey singing backup vocals. This isn't the first time the pair have worked together, but it does mark the first time that Ocean controls the song despite her presence (x).

The queen sounds great, obviously, as she harmonizes over Ocean's melody. But she lets him sit alone in the spotlight.

Overview:

Genre:
Pop Ballad

Favorite Lyrics:
This is life,
life immortality.

Verdict:
"Revolutionary" but understated