Blonde (Frank Ocean album)
{{Distinguish|Blonded Radio}}
{{short description|2016 studio album by Frank Ocean}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Blonde
| type = studio
| artist = Frank Ocean
| cover = Blonde_-_Frank_Ocean.jpeg
| border = yes
| alt = Cover art of Blonde showing a photo Frank Ocean shirtless and covering his face, bordered by off-white negative space
| released = {{Start date|2016|08|20}}
| recorded = 2013–2016
| studio =
- Abbey Road (London)
- Electric Lady (New York City)
- Henson Recording (Los Angeles)
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=60|s=08}}
| label = Boys Don't Cry
| producer =
- Buddy Ross
- Frank Ocean
- Francis Starlite
- James Blake
- Jon Brion
- Joe Thornalley
- Malay Ho
- Michael Uzowuru
- Om'Mas Keith
- Pharrell Williams
- Rostam Batmanglij
| prev_title = Endless
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc =
{{Singles
| name = Blonde
| type = studio
| single1 = Nikes
| single1date = August 20, 2016
}}
}}
Blonde is the second studio album by the American singer Frank Ocean.{{efn|Blonde is noted as Ocean's second studio album, following the 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, his debut album Channel Orange (2012), and the 2016 visual album Endless.{{cite magazine|last=Savage|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Savage|date=April 24, 2017|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/frank-ocean-albums|title=Why Frank Ocean is a musical icon|magazine=GQ|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229212307/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/frank-ocean-albums|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=live}} The album is titled Blonde on streaming services, but is alternatively titled Blond.}} It was released on August 20, 2016, as a timed exclusive on the iTunes Store and Apple Music, and followed the August 19 release of Ocean's video album Endless. The album features guest vocals from André 3000, Beyoncé, and Kim Burrell, among others. Production was handled by Ocean himself, alongside a variety of high-profile record producers, including Malay and Om'Mas Keith, who collaborated with Ocean on Channel Orange, as well as James Blake, Jon Brion, Buddy Ross, Pharrell Williams, and Rostam Batmanglij, among others.
In 2013, Ocean confirmed that his follow up to Channel Orange would be another concept album. Initially known as Boys Don't Cry and teased for a July 2015 release, the album suffered several delays and was the subject of widespread media anticipation leading up to its release. Recording for the album took place throughout 2013 and 2016 at New York's Electric Lady Studios and, after a period of writer's block, in London at Abbey Road Studios and in Los Angeles' Henson Recording Studios. Its physical release was accompanied by a magazine entitled Boys Don't Cry.
Blonde features an abstract and experimental sound in comparison to Ocean's previous releases, encompassing styles such as R&B, pop, soul, avant-garde, indie rock, electronica, psychedelia, and hip hop. Ocean also notably makes use of pitch shifted vocals. The Beach Boys' de facto leader Brian Wilson is recognized as a strong influence on the album's lush arrangements and layered vocal harmonies, while the guitar and keyboard rhythms on the album are considered languid and minimal. The album's themes surround Ocean dealing with his masculinity and emotions, inspired by sexual experiences, heartbreak, loss, duality, and trauma.
Blonde received widespread acclaim, with critics praising Ocean's introspective lyrics and the album's unconventional and progressive sounds. Critics also complimented the album for challenging the conventions of R&B and pop music. Supported by its lead single "Nikes", the album debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States. It earned first week sales of 275,000 with album-equivalent units in the US, with 232,000 being pure sales, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Among other publications, Time named it the best album of 2016. Metacritic named it one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year by music publications. In 2020, Pitchfork named it the best album of the 2010s and Rolling Stone ranked it at number 79 on their updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Background
On February 21, 2013, Ocean confirmed that he had started work on his next studio album, which he confirmed would be another concept album. He revealed that he was working with Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, and Danger Mouse on the record.{{cite web |url=http://perezhilton.com/2013-02-21-frank-ocean-new-album-details-collaborations |title=Frank Ocean's Next Album Is On Its Way! |publisher=PerezHilton.com |date=February 21, 2013 |access-date=June 16, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301014831/http://perezhilton.com/2013-02-21-frank-ocean-new-album-details-collaborations |archive-date=March 1, 2013 }} He stated that he was interested in collaborating with Tame Impala and King Krule, and wanted to record the album in Bora Bora.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-like-10-11-songs-into-new-album-20130220|title=Frank Ocean 'Like 10, 11 Songs' Into New Album|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=June 16, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223040939/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-like-10-11-songs-into-new-album-20130220|archive-date=February 23, 2013}} Ocean ultimately began recording at New York's Electric Lady Studios and, after a period of writer's block, recorded in London at Abbey Road Studios in addition to various other studios.{{cite web|last=Britton|first=Luke Morgan|date=September 5, 2016|url=https://www.nme.com/news/frank-ocean/96186|title=Abbey Road engineer describes working on Frank Ocean's new albums|work=NME|access-date=September 23, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924101637/http://www.nme.com/news/frank-ocean/96186|archive-date=September 24, 2016}}
In April 2014, Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished. In June 2014, Billboard reported that the singer was working with a string of artists such as Happy Perez (whom he worked with on Nostalgia, Ultra), Charlie Gambetta and Kevin Ristro, while producers Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins and Danger Mouse were also said to be on board.{{cite web|url=http://dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/|title=Memrise by Frank Ocean|work=dindindara|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205195054/http://dindindara.com/memrise-frank-ocean/|archive-date=December 5, 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251457/frank-ocean-new-management-three-six-zero|title=Frank Ocean Signs to New Management With Three Six Zero|magazine=Billboard|last=Hampp|first=Andrew|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806164717/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251457/frank-ocean-new-management-three-six-zero|archive-date=August 6, 2016}} On November 29, 2014, Ocean released a snippet of a new song supposedly from his upcoming follow-up to Channel Orange called "Memrise" on his official Tumblr page. The Guardian described the song as: "a song which affirms that despite reportedly changing labels and management, he has maintained both his experimentation and sense of melancholy in the intervening years".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/28/frank-ocean-new-track-memrise|title=Listen to Frank Ocean's new track Memrise|date=November 28, 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820024310/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/28/frank-ocean-new-track-memrise|archive-date=August 20, 2016}}
{{Quote box
| quote = Boys do cry, but I don't think I shed a tear for a good chunk of my teenage years. It's surprisingly my favorite part of life so far. Surprising, to me, because the current phase is what I was asking the cosmos for when I was a kid.
| source = – Frank Ocean, 2016
| align = right
| width = 30%
}}
In a personal letter which prefaced the Boys Don't Cry magazine, Ocean stated that he had been inspired by a photograph taken by the photography duo the Collaborationist of a young blonde girl in the back seat of a car.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/frank-ocean-talks-about-the-inspiration-behind-blond-on-tumblr/|title=Frank Ocean Writes About the Inspiration Behind His New Album 'Blond' on Tumblr|website=Vice|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718002330/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/yvpykj/frank-ocean-talks-about-the-inspiration-behind-blond-on-tumblr|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ab16d19f8370a12c61e7af1/t/5e9637c6d3ddce144cd2c59a/1586903005901/A+Sudden+Loss+of+Control+Issue+%231+WEB.pdf|title=A Sudden Loss of Control|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113005532/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ab16d19f8370a12c61e7af1/t/5e9637c6d3ddce144cd2c59a/1586903005901/A+Sudden+Loss+of+Control+Issue+%231+WEB.pdf |access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020 }} According to Jessica Haye of the Collaborationist, "It was more ambiguous in terms of gender and (Ocean) kind of placed his own experience onto the picture, so he brought a whole other story very personal to him in it". This photograph would be used in promotional material for the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.artandmotion.com/news/7753/the-collaborationist-music|title=The Collaborationist for Frank Ocean MUSIC|website=Art & Motion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717163625/https://www.artandmotion.com/news/7753/the-collaborationist-music |access-date=July 17, 2020|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2021 }} In his only interview of the album's release cycle, Ocean told Jon Caramanica that a conversation with a childhood friend from New Orleans helped him overcome his writer's block and convinced him to touch on his experiences growing up: "How we experience memory sometimes, it's not linear. We're not telling the stories to ourselves, we know the story, we're just seeing it in flashes overlaid".
Music and composition
Blonde features an abstract, atmospheric sound in comparison to Ocean's previous work, and utilizes a variety of unconventional musical elements. Besides the Beatles, the album draws influences from Stevie Wonder. Additionally, the Beach Boys' de facto leader Brian Wilson is recognized as a strong influence on the album's lush arrangements and layered vocal harmonies. Featuring a use of guitar and keyboard loops, writers noted that the rhythms on the album are languid and minimal. The album's themes surround Ocean dealing with his masculinity and emotions, inspired by personal heartbreak, loss and trauma.
The album has been categorized as avant-soul.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/frank-ocean-perfects-avant-garde-soul-on-poetic-stripped-down-blonde-252338/|title=Frank Ocean Perfects Avant-Garde Soul on Poetic, Stripped-Down 'Blonde'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Reeves|first=Mosi|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528142055/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/frank-ocean-perfects-avant-garde-soul-on-poetic-stripped-down-blonde-252338/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Arceneaux|first1=Michael|title='Blonde' Cements Frank Ocean as Today's Most Evocative and Daring Male R&B Songwriter|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/08/frank-ocean-blonde-album-review|website=Complex|access-date=November 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125174659/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/08/frank-ocean-blonde-album-review|archive-date=November 25, 2016}} The Quietus wrote that its form "isn't that of a typical pop or R&B album – it tends to meander into his surreal dreamscapes, cut with jarring samples of conversation, odd effects, drifting guitars and beatless melodies that go on longer than expected." The Daily Telegraph described its sound as "a mellifluous concoction of shimmering melodic haze and ambient mood, almost entirely absent of anything resembling a singalong chorus or club groove." The Observer{{'}}s Kate Mossman characterized the album as "cerebral, non-macho, boundary-free R&B." The Guardian tentatively likened Blonde to a collection of loose sketches and compared its "lush and atmospheric" tracks to experimental and texture-driven albums such as Radiohead's Kid A (2000) and Big Star's Third (1974), writing that "the tone is muted and introspective, full of spectral guitar and lacking not just hefty beats but any kind of percussion at all."
Discussing its musical eclecticism, Rolling Stone wrote that "this is an R&B album in only the most elastic and expansive sense of the term" and noted that "minimalist rock guitar and simple electric keyboard work drive numerous songs; twitchy rhythms and bizarre vocal effects creep in from the edges. Songs change shape subtly as they go, rarely ending in the same place they began." Ann Powers described the album as "equal parts psychedelic indie rock, post-IDM electronica, post-U2 / Coldplay-esque Eno-pop, post-Drake hip hop, and post-Maxwell drifty soul / R&B," and wrote that "experimental, druggy sonics abound."{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Ann|author-link=Ann Powers|title=Detangling Frank Ocean's 'Blonde': What It Is And Isn't|work=NPR |date=August 22, 2016 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/08/22/490918270/detangling-frank-oceans-blonde-what-it-is-and-isnt|publisher=NPR|access-date=December 14, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214021458/http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/08/22/490918270/detangling-frank-oceans-blonde-what-it-is-and-isnt|archive-date=December 14, 2016}} Nina Corcoran from Consequence described Blonde as featuring an avant-garde minimalist style similar to the work of Brian Eno, and noted that Ocean often utilizes "acoustic and electric guitars over traditional synth and bass-heavy R&B."{{cite web|last1=Corcoran|first1=Nina|title=Blonde: Album Review|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/album-review-frank-ocean-blonde/|website=Consequence|date=August 25, 2016 |access-date=October 24, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031224845/http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/album-review-frank-ocean-blonde/|archive-date=October 31, 2016}} The Independent wrote that "one track bleeds languidly into another, as if we're listening to a long, stoned stream-of-consciousness," and described the album's sound as a "glitchy, miasmic brand of R&B."
The Daily Telegraph noted Ocean's use of varispeed and Auto-Tune effects on his voice, while Greg Kot stated that he utilizes these audio processing devices to employ "two distinct voices, like characters in a play, a recurring theme throughout the album".{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|date=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-frank-ocean-blonde-review-ent-0822-20160821-column.html|title=Review: Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Worth the Wait|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825230049/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-frank-ocean-blonde-review-ent-0822-20160821-column.html|archive-date=August 25, 2016}} Spin magazine's Dan Weiss compared his vocal treatments to those of Prince's aborted Camille album. The Daily Telegraph also suggested that Ocean's voice and melodies obscured the experimental nature of his compositions. The album has elements of spoken word.{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/179758-frank-oceans-blonde-tracklist-ranked|title=Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Songs, Ranked|website=Bustle|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508194256/https://www.bustle.com/articles/179758-frank-oceans-blonde-tracklist-ranked|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/22/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-endless-review.html|title=Frank Ocean Ends His Long Silence With a Variety of Works|work=The New York Times|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919175336/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/22/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-endless-review.html|url-status=live}} The track "Seigfried" interpolates a spoken word part by Elliott Smith and "White Ferrari" borrows musical elements from the Beatles' song "Here, There and Everywhere", while "Close to You" incorporates a Stevie Wonder sample. Guest vocalist André 3000 contributes a rapid rap verse on "Solo (Reprise)" which has been described as the album's only overt guest feature. In a 2022 interview, André revealed the song was recorded in Austin, Texas years before the album's release and originally featured a hip hop instrumental, before being replaced with a piano arrangement from James Blake.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70714/title.andre-3000-explains-making-of-frank-ocean-solo-reprise-verse|title=André 3000 Reveals 'Surprising' Story Behind Frank Ocean 'Solo (Reprise)' Verse|website=HipHopDX|last=Bustard|first=Andy|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=June 3, 2022}} "Pretty Sweet" features gospel choir elements and dissonant noise. The album ends with an interview between Ocean and his brother Ryan, recorded when Ryan was 11 years old.
Release and promotion
File:Library Card - Frank Ocean.jpg
On April 6, 2015, Ocean announced that his follow-up to Channel Orange would be released in July, as well as a publication, although no further details were released. The album was ultimately not released in July, with no explanation given for its delay. The publication was rumored to be called Boys Don't Cry, and was slated to feature the aforementioned "Memrise", although the track did not make the final track listing.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/7/8358209/frank-ocean-new-album-release-date|title=Frank Ocean's next album is coming in July|work=The Verge|last=Byford|first=Sam|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824201408/http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/7/8358209/frank-ocean-new-album-release-date|archive-date=August 24, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/55642-frank-ocean-announces-new-record/|title=Frank Ocean Announces New Record|work=Pitchfork|last=Beauchemin|first=Molly|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812003638/http://pitchfork.com/news/55642-frank-ocean-announces-new-record/|archive-date=August 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/07/new-frank-ocean-album-due-in-july|title=New Frank Ocean album due in July|work=The Guardian|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820024308/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/07/new-frank-ocean-album-due-in-july|archive-date=August 20, 2016}} On July 2, 2016, Ocean hinted at a possible third album with an image on his website suggesting a July or November release date.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/frank-ocean-shares-cryptic-album-update.html|title=Frank Ocean Teases Boys Don't Cry July Release Date|work=Vulture|last=Ivie|first=Devon|date=July 2, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807070516/http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/frank-ocean-shares-cryptic-album-update.html|archive-date=August 7, 2016}} On August 1, 2016, a live video marked the first update on the website since the library card post from July.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67226-frank-ocean-launches-mysterious-live-stream/|title=Frank Ocean Launches Mysterious Live Stream|work=Pitchfork|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801164751/http://pitchfork.com/news/67226-frank-ocean-launches-mysterious-live-stream/|archive-date=August 1, 2016}}
Many news outlets reported that August 5, 2016, could be the release date for Boys Don't Cry.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/arts/music/frank-ocean-boys-dont-cry-apple-release-date.html|title=Frank Ocean's Long-Awaited 'Boys Don't Cry' Is Due on Friday – NYTimes.com|work=The New York Times |date=August 2016 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216090639/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/arts/music/frank-ocean-boys-dont-cry-apple-release-date.html|archive-date=February 16, 2017}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-to-release-new-album-boys-dont-cry-this-week-w432162|title=Frank Ocean to Release New Album 'Boys Don't Cry' This Week|magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093028/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/frank-ocean-to-release-new-album-boys-dont-cry-this-week-w432162|archive-date=September 20, 2017}} The website video was revealed to be promotion for Endless, a 45-minute-long visual album that began streaming on Apple Music on August 19, 2016. The day after the release of Endless, Ocean advertised four pop-up shops in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and London. These shops offered hundreds of free magazines titled Boys Don't Cry, containing photography by Wolfgang Tillmans, Viviane Sassen and others, and a poem by Kanye West about the fast-food chain McDonald's.{{cite web|last=Gaca|first=Anna|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/08/frank-ocean-blond-blonde-boys-dont-cry-kanye-west-mcdonalds-i-got-two-versions/|title=Inside Frank Ocean's 'Boys Don't Cry' Magazine: Another Version of 'Blond' and a Poem by Kanye West|work=Spin|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092839/http://www.spin.com/2016/08/frank-ocean-blond-blonde-boys-dont-cry-kanye-west-mcdonalds-i-got-two-versions/|archive-date=March 1, 2017}} Later in the day, the album was released exclusively on the iTunes Store and Apple Music. However, the track list differed from the digital version of the album, with an extended version of "Nikes" featuring Japanese rapper KOHH.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Michelle|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/08/20/frank-ocean-two-versions-blond-tracklistings|title=Here Are The Tracklistings For Both Versions Of Frank Ocean's Blond|work=The Fader|date=August 20, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120042317/http://www.thefader.com/2016/08/20/frank-ocean-two-versions-blond-tracklistings|archive-date=January 20, 2017}}{{cite magazine|last=Horowitz|first=Steven J.|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7480176/frank-ocean-blonde-album-boys-dont-cry-magazine-pop-up-shops|title=Frank Ocean Drops New Album 'Blonde,' Gives Out 'Boys Don't Cry' Magazine at Pop-Up Shops|magazine=Billboard|date=August 20, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228092645/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7480176/frank-ocean-blonde-album-boys-dont-cry-magazine-pop-up-shops|archive-date=February 28, 2017}} "Nikes" was officially released as the album's lead single on August 20, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/frank-oceans-new-single-nikes-is-a-magic-carpet-ride-th-1785546761|title=Frank Ocean's New Single 'Nikes' Is a Magic Carpet Ride Through the Human Brain|last=Evans|first=Lauren|publisher=Jezebel|date=August 20, 2016|access-date=December 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011150753/http://jezebel.com/frank-oceans-new-single-nikes-is-a-magic-carpet-ride-th-1785546761|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/frank-ocean-shares-new-single-nikes-and-lavish-nudity-filled-video-watch/|title=Frank Ocean shares new single "Nikes." lavish, nudity-filled video – watch|date=August 20, 2016|work=Consequence|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821061520/http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/frank-ocean-shares-new-single-nikes-and-lavish-nudity-filled-video-watch/|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}
Rather than going on a typical promotional tour playing radio festivals and appearing on television shows, Ocean spent a month after the release of Blonde, traveling to countries such as China, Japan and France. He also chose not to submit Blonde for consideration at the Grammy Awards, stating "that institution certainly has nostalgic importance... It just doesn't seem to be representing very well for people who come from where I come from, and hold down what I hold down."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html|title=Frank Ocean Is Finally Free, Mystery Intact|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|date=November 15, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 10, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210013537/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/frank-ocean-blonde-interview.html|archive-date=December 10, 2016}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 87/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/blonde/frank-ocean|title=Reviews for Blonde by Frank Ocean|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=September 10, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912131232/http://www.metacritic.com/music/blonde/frank-ocean|archive-date=September 12, 2016}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blond-mw0002974584|title=Blond – Frank Ocean|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827140245/http://www.allmusic.com/album/blond-mw0002974584|archive-date=August 27, 2016}}
| rev2 = The Daily Telegraph
| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|date=August 22, 2016|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/frank-ocean-blonde-review-an-album-that-will-make-an-indelible-m/|title=Frank Ocean, Blonde, review: 'an album that will make an indelible mark on pop culture'|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=August 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822143544/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/frank-ocean-blonde-review-an-album-that-will-make-an-indelible-m/|archive-date=August 22, 2016}}
| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev3Score = A{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Eric Renner|date=August 23, 2016|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/23/frank-ocean-blonde-ew-review|title=Frank Ocean's Blonde: EW Review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 23, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824151636/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/23/frank-ocean-blonde-ew-review|archive-date=August 24, 2016}}
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev4Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|last=Jonze|first=Tim|date=August 25, 2016|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/25/frank-ocean-blonde-review-a-baffling-and-brilliant-five-star-triumph|title=Frank Ocean: Blonde review – a baffling and brilliant five-star triumph|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826193335/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/25/frank-ocean-blonde-review-a-baffling-and-brilliant-five-star-triumph|archive-date=August 26, 2016}}
| rev5 = The Observer
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Mossman|first=Kate|date=August 28, 2016|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/28/frank-ocean-blonde-review-abstract-atmospheric-beauty|title=Frank Ocean: Blonde review – abstract, atmospheric beauty|work=The Observer|access-date=September 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930235844/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/28/frank-ocean-blonde-review-abstract-atmospheric-beauty|archive-date=September 30, 2016}}
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev6Score = 9.0/10{{cite web|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|date=August 24, 2016|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22295-blonde-endless/|title=Frank Ocean: Blonde / Endless|work=Pitchfork|access-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826000409/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22295-blonde-endless/|archive-date=August 26, 2016}}
| rev7 = Rolling Stone
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Weiner|first=Jonah|date=August 22, 2016|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-frank-ocean-blonde-w435566|title=Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Is a Dizzy, Trippy, Druggy Marvel|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 23, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823013443/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-frank-ocean-blonde-w435566|archive-date=August 23, 2016}}
| rev8 = Spin
| rev8Score = 8/10{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Dan|date=August 23, 2016|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/08/review-frank-ocean-blonde/|title=Review: Frank Ocean's Blond on 'Blonde' Is Pledging Its Goddamn Time|work=Spin|access-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823215931/http://www.spin.com/2016/08/review-frank-ocean-blonde/|archive-date=August 23, 2016}}
| rev9 = The Times
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Hodgkinson|first=Will|author-link=Will Hodgkinson|date=August 26, 2016|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/pop-frank-ocean-blonde-30ts8thxq|title=Pop: Frank Ocean: Blonde|work=The Times|access-date=September 17, 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917163749/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pop-frank-ocean-blonde-30ts8thxq|archive-date=September 17, 2016|url-status=live}}
| rev10 = Vice (Expert Witness)
| rev10Score = B+{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=September 16, 2016|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/frank-oceans-candidness-and-the-ambitious-blood-orange-expert-witness-with-robert-christgau/|title=Frank Ocean's Candidness and the Ambitious Blood Orange: Expert Witness with Robert Christgau|work=Vice|access-date=September 19, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924032343/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/frank-oceans-candidness-and-the-ambitious-blood-orange-expert-witness-with-robert-christgau|archive-date=September 24, 2016}}
}}
Blonde was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional critics, the album received an average score of 87, based on 38 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 8.4 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.
Mojo reviewer Andy Cowan called it "a beguiling, meandering sprawl that rewards total immersion",{{cite web|last=Cowan|first=Andy|date=August 24, 2016|url=http://www.mojo4music.com/24554/frank-ocean-blonde/|title=Mojo Album of The Week|work=Mojo|access-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825172456/http://www.mojo4music.com/24554/frank-ocean-blonde/|archive-date=August 25, 2016}} while Tara Joshi deemed Blonde a "fully conceptualised, curated personal vision" and "a sublime and largely impressive album" in her review for The Quietus.{{cite web|last=Joshi|first=Tara|date=August 25, 2016|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/20803-frank-ocean-blond-blonde-endless-album-review|title=Lead Review: Tara Joshi On Frank Ocean's Blond
Neil McCormick was somewhat less enthusiastic. In The Daily Telegraph, he wrote that Blonde "should be celebrated as part of a generational shift away from the obvious in pop", while finding the record to be "meandering, contemplative and introverted", suggesting that it would be a laborious experience for some listeners. AllMusic's Andy Kellman deemed it "undiluted and progressive" but qualified his praise by stating that "over the course of an hour, all the sparsely ornamented ruminations can be a bit of a chore to absorb, no matter how much one hangs on each line". Andy Gill was more critical in The Independent, deeming much of the music lethargic, aimless, and devoid of strong melodies.{{cite web|last=Gill|first=Andy|date=August 24, 2016|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/frank-ocean-blonde-review-a-trickling-bubblebath-of-an-album-that-ultimately-runs-lukewarm-a7207766.html|title=Frank Ocean, Blonde, album review: A trickling bubblebath of an album that ultimately runs lukewarm|work=The Independent|access-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825174949/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/frank-ocean-blonde-review-a-trickling-bubblebath-of-an-album-that-ultimately-runs-lukewarm-a7207766.html|archive-date=August 25, 2016}} HipHopDX reviewer William Ketchum III in a mixed review said that the singer "sometimes delivers only what's necessary to make his point, while other efforts come across as meandering and incomplete".{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2786/title.frank-ocean-blonde-review|title=Frank Ocean – Blonde Review|website=HipHopDX|last=Ketchum III|first=William|date=August 25, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908154843/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2786/title.frank-ocean-blonde-review|url-status=live}}
=Rankings=
At the end of 2016, Blonde appeared on a number of critics' lists ranking the year's best albums. According to Metacritic, it was the third most prominently ranked album of 2016.{{cite web|last=Dietz|first=Jason|date=November 28, 2016|url=http://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2016|title=Best of 2016: Music Critic Top Ten Lists|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=December 11, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211031929/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2016|archive-date=December 11, 2016}}
Commercial performance
In the first week of release, Blonde debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and recorded 276,000 album-equivalent units, including 232,000 copies of the album sold.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7487876/frank-ocean-blonde-bows-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-album-chart-endless|title=Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' Bows at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Third-Largest Debut of 2016|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Kevin|date=August 28, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829121844/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7487876/frank-ocean-blonde-bows-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-album-chart-endless|archive-date=August 29, 2016}} The songs on the album were collectively streamed more than 65.4 million times, second behind only the streams for Views by Drake during that week. Forbes estimated that Blonde earned Ocean nearly one million in profits after one week of availability, attributing this to him releasing the album independently and as a limited exclusive release on iTunes and Apple Music.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/|title=Frank Ocean Already Made $1 Million By Going Independent|last=Robehmed|first=Natalie|work=Forbes|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830191758/http://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/30/frank-ocean-already-made-1-million-by-going-independent/#6bad64b52ada|archive-date=August 30, 2016}} Blonde has generated 404 million on-demand audio streams for its songs in the US through February 9, 2017, according to Nielsen Music. The album has earned 620,000 album-equivalent units, 348,000 of which were copies sold.{{cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7686502/frank-ocean-blonde-inspiration-unreleased-interview|title=Frank Ocean Talks 'Blonde' Inspiration in Unreleased Interview|magazine=Billboard|date=February 13, 2017|access-date=February 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214080138/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7686502/frank-ocean-blonde-inspiration-unreleased-interview|archive-date=February 14, 2017}}
On July 9, 2018, Blonde was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Blonde track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 60:08
| title_width = 38%
| writing_width = 37%
| extra_width = 25%
| title1 = Nikes
| writer1 = {{hlist|Christopher Breaux|James Litherland}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Frank Ocean|Malay Ho|Om'Mas Keith}}
| length1 = 5:14
| title2 = Ivy
| writer2 = {{hlist|Breaux|Ho}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Ocean|Keith|Rostam Batmanglij}}
| length2 = 4:09
| title3 = Pink + White
| writer3 = {{hlist|Breaux|Pharrell Williams}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Ocean|Williams}}
| length3 = 3:04
| title4 = Be Yourself
| writer4 = Buddy Ross{{ref|a|[a]}}
| length4 = 1:26
| title5 = Solo
| writer5 = {{hlist|Breaux|Ho}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Ocean|James Blake}}
| length5 = 4:17
| title6 = Skyline To
| writer6 = {{hlist|Breaux|Tyler Okonma||Christophe Chassol|}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Ocean|Ho|Keith}}
| length6 = 3:04
| title7 = Self Control
| writer7 = Breaux
| extra7 = {{hlist|Ocean|Ho|Jon Brion}}
| length7 = 4:09
| title8 = Good Guy
| writer8 = Breaux
| extra8 = Ocean
| length8 = 1:06
| title9 = Nights
| writer9 = {{hlist|Breaux|Joe Thornalley|Michael Uzowuru}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Ocean|Thornalley|Uzowuru|Ross}}
| length9 = 5:07
| title10 = Solo (Reprise)
| writer10 = {{hlist|André Benjamin|Blake|Breaux}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Ocean|Blake|Brion}}
| length10 = 1:18
| title11 = Pretty Sweet
| writer11 = Breaux
| extra11 = {{hlist|Ocean|Ho|Keith}}
| length11 = 2:38
| title12 = Facebook Story
| writer12 = {{hlist|Sebastian Akchoté|Ross{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| extra12 = Ocean
| length12 = 1:08
| title13 = Close to You
| writer13 = {{hlist|Breaux|Ross|Burt Bacharach{{ref|b|[b]}}|Harold David{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|Ocean|Ross|Francis Starlite}}
| length13 = 1:25
| title14 = White Ferrari
| writer14 = {{hlist|Breaux|Kanye West|Ho|John Lennon{{ref|c|[c]}}|Paul McCartney{{ref|c|[c]}}}}
| extra14 = {{hlist|Ocean|Brion|Keith}}
| length14 = 4:08
| title15 = Seigfried
| writer15 = {{hlist|Breaux|Ho|Batmanglij{{ref|d|[d]}}|Elliott Smith{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra15 = {{hlist|Ocean|Ho}}
| length15 = 5:34
| title16 = Godspeed
| writer16 = {{hlist|Breaux|Ho}}
| extra16 = {{hlist|Ocean|Keith|Ho|Blake}}
| length16 = 2:57
| title17 = Futura Free
| note17 = includes unlisted track "Interviews", written by Ross{{ref|a|[a]}}
| writer17 = {{hlist|Breaux|Dave Allen{{ref|e|[e]}}|Hugo Burnham{{ref|e|[e]}}|Andy Gill{{ref|e|[e]}}|Jon King{{ref|e|[e]}}}}
| extra17 = {{hlist|Ocean|Keith|Ho}}
| length17 = 9:24
}}
Notes
- "Nikes" features uncredited vocals by KOHH on the original magazine edition{{cite web|author=Michelle Kim|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/08/21/japanese-rappers-kohh-loota-boys-dont-cry-frank-ocean-blond|title=Meet KOHH, The Japanese Rapper Featured on the Extended Cut Of Frank Ocean's "Nikes"|work=The Fader|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225202445/http://www.thefader.com/2016/08/21/japanese-rappers-kohh-loota-boys-dont-cry-frank-ocean-blond|archive-date=February 25, 2017}}
- "Pink + White" features backing vocals from Beyoncé{{cite magazine|last=Payne|first=Chris|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/frank-ocean-songs-best-hits-list-7858005/|title=Frank Ocean's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks|magazine=Billboard|date=July 8, 2017|access-date=May 15, 2024|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919175221/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/frank-ocean-songs-best-hits-list-7858005/|url-status=live}}
- "Be Yourself" features uncredited vocals by Rosie Watson{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/08/frank-ocean-katony-breaux-riley-blond|title='Don't Try to Be Someone Else': On Voicemails and a Mother's Love on Frank Ocean's 'Blonde'|date=August 24, 2016|work=Spin|access-date=December 13, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221180244/http://www.spin.com/2016/08/frank-ocean-katony-breaux-riley-blond/|archive-date=December 21, 2016}}
- "Self Control" features uncredited vocals by Austin Feinstein{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/slow-hollowss-austin-feinstien-worked-on-blond-and-cherry-bomb-now-his-band-rules-too/|title=Slow Hollows's Austin Feinstien Worked on 'Blond' and 'Cherry Bomb.' Now his band rules too|work=Noisey|date=September 24, 2016|access-date=December 19, 2016|author=Alex Robert Ross|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919175223/https://www.vice.com/en/article/slow-hollowss-austin-feinstien-worked-on-blond-and-cherry-bomb-now-his-band-rules-too/|url-status=live}}
- "Solo (Reprise)" features uncredited vocals by André 3000{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-new-album-blonde-world-in-awe-of-andre-3000-s-solo-reprise-verse-a7203351.html|title=Frank Ocean new album Blonde: World in awe of Andre 3000's verse on 'Solo (Reprise)'|website=The Independent|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206054654/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/frank-ocean-new-album-blonde-world-in-awe-of-andre-3000-s-solo-reprise-verse-a7203351.html|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}
- "Pretty Sweet" features uncredited vocals by Capital Children's Choir, conducted by Rachel Santesso{{Cite web |title=Choir Highlights |url=https://www.capitalchoir.com/highlights |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=Capital Choir |language=en-US}}
- "Facebook Story" features uncredited vocals by Sebastian{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67821-sebastian-frank-oceans-facebook-story-narrator-talks-blonde-and-endless/|title=SebastiAn, Frank Ocean's "Facebook Story" Narrator, Talks Blonde and Endless|work=Pitchfork|date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220140557/http://pitchfork.com/news/67821-sebastian-frank-oceans-facebook-story-narrator-talks-blonde-and-endless/|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}
- "Interviews" features interviews with Ryan Moore, Ibrahim Hariri, Na-Kel Smith, Sage Elsesser, Evan Clark, Nabil Hariri, and Frank Ocean, conducted by Mikey Alfred
Sample credits
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} "Be Yourself", "Facebook Story", "Good Guy", and "Interviews" contain a sample of "Running Around", written and performed by Buddy Ross.
- {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} "Close to You" contains a sample of "They Long to Be Close to You", written by Bacharach and David, as performed by Stevie Wonder live on The David Frost Show.
- {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} "White Ferrari" contains an interpolation of "Here, There and Everywhere", written by Lennon and McCartney, as performed by the Beatles.
- {{sup|{{note|d|[d]}}}} "Seigfried" contains a quote from "A Fond Farewell", written and performed by Elliott Smith; and a sample from "Untitled", written and performed by Rostam Batmanglij.
- {{sup|{{note|e|[e]}}}} "Futura Free" contains a sample of "Anthrax", written by Allen, Burnham, Gill, and King, as performed by Gang of Four.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Blonde|type=CD liner notes|others=Frank Ocean|publisher=Boys Don't Cry|year=2016|id=862160000302}}
Production and arrangement
{{Div col}}
- Frank Ocean – production (tracks 1–3, 5–17), arrangement (tracks 1, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 16), executive production
- Malay Ho – production (tracks 1, 6, 7, 11, 15–17), arrangement (tracks 1, 6, 11)
- Om'Mas Keith – production (tracks 1, 2, 6, 11, 14, 16, 17), arrangement (tracks 1, 11, 17)
- James Blake – production (tracks 5, 10, 16), arrangement (tracks 5, 10, 16)
- Jon Brion – production (tracks 7, 10, 14), arrangement (tracks 7, 9–11, 14), string arrangement (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Buddy Ross – production (tracks 9, 13), arrangement (tracks 9, 13, 14)
- Rostam Batmanglij – production (track 2), arrangement (track 2)
- Pharrell Williams – production (track 3)
- Joe Thornalley – production (track 9), arrangement (track 9)
- Michael Uzowuru – production (track 9)
- Francis Starlite – production (track 13), arrangement (track 13)
- Alex Giannascoli – arrangement (tracks 7, 14)
- Christophe Chassol – arrangement (track 6)
- Austin Feinstein – arrangement (track 7)
- Sebastian Akchoté – arrangement (track 16), string arrangement (track 16)
- Benjamin Wright – string arrangement (track 3)
- Jonny Greenwood – string arrangement (track 15)
{{div col end}}
Musicians
{{Div col}}
- Frank Ocean – lead vocals, keyboards (tracks 8, 17), programming (track 7), sample programming (track 14), drum programming (track 17), additional programming (tracks 1, 5, 16), guitars (track 9), choir (track 16)
- Kim Burrell – featured vocals (track 16)
- Yung Lean – featured vocals (track 16)
- Amber Coffman – additional vocals (track 1)
- Jazmine Sullivan – additional vocals (track 5)
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter – additional vocals (track 3)
- Malay Ho – keyboards (tracks 14–17), guitars (tracks 6, 7, 11, 15), drum programming (tracks 1, 11), mellotron (track 1), bass (track 15)
- Buddy Ross – keyboards (tracks 9, 13, 14, 17), bass (track 11), additional programming (track 13)
- Jon Brion – keyboards (tracks 7, 9, 10, 14), drum programming (track 10)
- Pharrell Williams – keyboards (track 3), drum programming (track 3), bass (track 3)
- Joe Thornalley – keyboards (track 9), drum programming (tracks 9, 13)
- James Blake – keyboards (tracks 5, 6, 10, 16)
- Mars 1500 – keyboards (tracks 5, 16)
- Christophe Chassol – keyboards (track 6), Moog solo (track 6)
- Rostam Batmanglij – keyboards (track 15)
- Om'Mas Keith – drum programming (tracks 1, 11, 17), bass (track 17)
- Sebastian Akchoté – drum programming (track 14), sample programming (track 14), strings (track 16)
- Tyler Okonma – drum programming (track 6)
- Michael Uzowuru – drum programming (track 9)
- Francis Starlite – vocoder (track 13)
- Alex Giannascoli – guitars (tracks 7, 14)
- Fish – guitars (track 2)
- Austin Feinstein – guitars (track 7)
- Spaceman – guitars (track 9)
- Eric Gorfain – violin concertmaster (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Daphne Chen – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Marisa Kuney – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Charlie Bisharat – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Katie Sloan – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Songa Lee – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Gina Kronstadt – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Lisa Dondlinger – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Terry Glenny – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Chris Woods – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Neel Hammond – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Marcy Vaj – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Crystal Alforque – violin (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Leah Katz – viola (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Rodney Wirtz – viola (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Stefan Smith – viola (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Adriana Zoppo – viola (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- John Krovoza – cello (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Simon Huber – cello (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Ginger Murphy – cello (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Alisha Bauer – cello (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Stefanie Fife – cello (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- London Contemporary Orchestra – strings (track 15)
{{div col end}}
Technical personnel
{{div col}}
- Caleb Laven – recording
- Jeff Ellis – recording
- Jason Lader – recording
- Matt Mysko – recording
- Sam Petts-Davies – recording
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing
- Noah Goldstein – mixing
- David Wrench – mixing
- Mike Dean – mastering
- Greg Koller – strings recording (tracks 3, 7, 11)
- Eric Caudieux – strings recording (tracks 3, 7, 11)
{{Div col end}}
Design
{{div col}}
- Frank Ocean – creative direction, photography
- Thomas Mastorakos – creative direction
- Viviane Sassen – photography
- Wolfgang Tillmans – photography
- Jessica Haye – photography
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2016 chart performance for Blonde ! scope="col"| Chart (2016) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 27, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|7|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Frank Ocean|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Denmark|1|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 31, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|4|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 28, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland|2|year=2016|week=34|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|6|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/artists/frank-ocean/vcjpjwstrazo/albums#tabs|title=Frank Ocean Chart History (Official Top 40 Albums)|publisher=Official Aotearoa Music Charts|access-date=March 23, 2025}}
| 1 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Norway|1|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 27, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20160826|rowheader=true|access-date=August 27, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|2|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 26, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|1|date=20160826|rowheader=true|access-date=August 27, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Frank Ocean|rowheader=true|access-date=September 2, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Frank Ocean|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2016}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 chart performance for Blonde ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn){{cite web | url = https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/ | title = Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 21 – 2024 | publisher = Plötutíðindi | language = is|trans-title=The Music – Albums – Week 21 – 2024|access-date=May 24, 2024|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524205817/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|url-status=live}}
| 10 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Switzerland|57|artist=Frank Ocean|album=Blonde|rowheader=true|access-date=August 25, 2024}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Blonde}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Frank Ocean|title=Blonde|award=Platinum|number=5|type=album|relyear=2016|certyear=2025|id=15254|access-date=April 16, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Iceland (FHF)|nocert=true|salesamount=5,122|salesref=Tónlistinn – Plötur (2016), (2018–2024)
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2016/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2016|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=April 19, 2025|language=is|archive-date=January 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119123341/https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2016/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2018/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2018|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=April 19, 2025|language=is|archive-date=March 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329191131/https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2018/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2019/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2019|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=April 19, 2025|language=is|archive-date=March 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329175947/https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-plotur-2019/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/plotur-2020/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2020|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 4, 2025|language=is|archive-date=December 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230091708/https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/plotur-2020/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/plotur-2020-2/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2021|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 4, 2025|language=is|archive-date=December 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230091708/https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/plotur-2020-2/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2022/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2022|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 4, 2025|language=is|archive-date=December 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230091708/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2022/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2023/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2023|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 4, 2025|language=is|archive-date=December 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230091708/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2023/|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2023-2/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2024|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=January 4, 2025|language=is|archive-date=January 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103225313/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn-plotur-2023-2/|url-status=live}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Frank Ocean|title=Blonde|award=Platinum|number=5|type=album|relyear=2016|source=radioscope|certyear=2024|access-date=January 23, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|artist=Frank Ocean|title=Blonde|type=album|relyear=2016|certyear=2022|id=13933-2445-2|access-date=June 7, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Blonde|artist=Frank Ocean|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|type=album|1046042|name=Blonde}}
{{Frank Ocean}}
{{Odd Future}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:ITunes-exclusive releases
Category:Albums produced by Malay (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Mike Dean (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Pharrell Williams
Category:Albums produced by James Blake (musician)
Category:Albums produced by Frank Ocean
Category:Albums produced by Vegyn
Category:Albums produced by Michael Uzowuru
Category:Progressive soul albums
Category:Psychedelic pop albums