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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Frank Ocean channels psychedelia in ‘Blonde’

    It’s been four years since singer and rapper Frank Ocean put out his first studio album, the seminal “Channel Orange.” Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up. First it was supposed to come out in July of 2015, then it was July of 2016.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Sep 8, 2016 • 1 min read

    It’s been four years since singer and rapper Frank Ocean put out his first studio album, the seminal “Channel Orange.” Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up. First it was supposed to come out in July of 2015, then it was July of 2016. There were all kinds of rumors that Ocean would be a one-hit wonder and that the album was never going to be released. But when the dam finally burst, Ocean released two albums. First, “Endless,” his final album under his contract with Universal Music Group, was a “visual album” – essentially a forty minute music video. Then, two days later, Ocean released “Blonde” on his own new label, Boys Don’t Cry. Does “Blonde” live up to the hype?

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    If Californians legalize recreational pot, who will cash in?
    1. 0:30Green rush dreams on display at LA’s Cannabis Business Expo
    2. 10:17Prop 64 could pit mom-and-pop pot shops against big business
    3. 17:48Matt Lauer faces critics after NBC’s presidential forum
    4. 28:45Frank Ocean channels psychedelia in ‘Blonde’You’re reading this
    5. 41:35Web: Headphone jackless iPhone hysteria
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Mario Cotto

      Host of Mario Cotto

      News

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    If Californians legalize recreational pot, who will cash in?
    1. 0:30Green rush dreams on display at LA’s Cannabis Business Expo
    2. 10:17Prop 64 could pit mom-and-pop pot shops against big business
    3. 17:48Matt Lauer faces critics after NBC’s presidential forum
    4. 28:45Frank Ocean channels psychedelia in ‘Blonde’You’re reading this
    5. 41:35Web: Headphone jackless iPhone hysteria
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand