It’s not unusual for artists to take their time finishing a follow-up to their classic debut albums. It can be really nerve racking to create new music just as good or better than your first project and avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump” – could this be why Frank Ocean has not revealed any new music since 2012’s Channel Orange? Maybe Ocean is simply a perfectionist? After all, extended hiatuses have worked for other artists like Maxwell, who took 8 years to release BLACKsummers’night and D’Angelo, who took 14 years to release his masterpiece, Black Messiah.
Over four years Frank Ocean teased the release of a new album every year by revealing photos, posting hints on social media and performing three new songs in Munich, Germany back in 2013. Oceans family members even joined in on the fun – “trolling” social media with the status of the project, rumored to be called, Boys Don’t Cry.
Calvin Klein/Frank Ocean
We have a feeling the hints may actually be for real this time. Frank Ocean appeared in a Calvin Klein ad showing a magazine with the title “Boys Don’t Cry” – it’s also rumored that the R&B singer maybe releasing a magazine or novel bearing the same title. The mystery surrounding the singer continues with a photo, posted on Tumblr, of an old library insert showing a variety of missed “due dates”, presumably for the album. Looking closely at the bottom, July 2016 (the actual day is crossed out) and toward the top of the card a date of November 13, 2016, is shown as well (could be a release of a single – probably not a release date for an album, since albums come out on Fridays).
Frank Ocean has definitely recorded some new music – via an interview of Lil’ Yachty by 106KMEL they discussed Yachty’s meeting with Rick Ruben, who heard Oceans album and said “It’s really good” others lucky enough to hear the album say “It”s another classic”. Needless to say, we can’t wait, Channel Orange was a modern classic with a unique feel. So, maybe this album will be worth the wait. The album is rumored to be release this month, so keep your fingers crossed.
