Channel Orange
by Frank Ocean
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Jul 17, 2012
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 1141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,048 out of 1141
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 1141
  3. Negative: 55 out of 1141

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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Mar 3, 2021
    10
    Best album I've heard in years. The stories so detailed they seem lived in. Yet the music of the songs isn't compromised. I guess I do have a bias towards this album since it was one of the first serious non-mainstream album i discovered myself and became. In my life there's a time before C.O and after. But with time spent with the album I've come to realize it like most great album getsBest album I've heard in years. The stories so detailed they seem lived in. Yet the music of the songs isn't compromised. I guess I do have a bias towards this album since it was one of the first serious non-mainstream album i discovered myself and became. In my life there's a time before C.O and after. But with time spent with the album I've come to realize it like most great album gets it's flaws from lack of creative restraint. eg.white interlude is unnecessary to the narrative and ruins the transitional effect between it's songs. The interludes the only drawback on this amazing classic. Favourites:pilot jones,thinking 'bout you,sweet life,crack rock… Expand
  2. Vampire25
    Oct 21, 2012
    8
    channel Orange is an ambitious, perfectly produced record that lives up to all the hype it received when it was released. Each track is layered with perfect harmonies and smooth flow from Ocean. The reason it's so appealing to me is because Frank Ocean's vocal ranges are incredibly powerful and so honest that it's so easy to fall in love with this album. The lyrics are among the best thischannel Orange is an ambitious, perfectly produced record that lives up to all the hype it received when it was released. Each track is layered with perfect harmonies and smooth flow from Ocean. The reason it's so appealing to me is because Frank Ocean's vocal ranges are incredibly powerful and so honest that it's so easy to fall in love with this album. The lyrics are among the best this year and his life is literally spilling out at you through these tracks. All In All, Frank Ocean's channel Orange is the best R&B record this year and among the best of the year. B+… Expand
  3. Andremax
    Aug 6, 2018
    10
    A full-of-inspiration and melodic album. Passing by hip hop, soul, R&B with the most varied textures of beats and melodies, in addition Ocean's great voice. But let us not forget of many memorable guest stars, like Andre 3000, Tyler the Creator and the talented guitarist John Mayer with his amazing guitar solo.
  4. axelkoch
    Oct 8, 2012
    9
    Check the Rapgenius homepage for getting background informations to the lyrics. Like the best rappers on earth, Ocean has often double meanings and seldomly also triple meanings! He is a god in songwriting and a king in singing. Still, I have to say, not every single song sweeped me off my feet. Nonetheless, it's a rememberable work of art.
  5. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    8
    Beautifully layered, produced extremely well... tremendous vocals, and an innovative style. Frank brings soul, funk, jazz, R&B, and whatever else to the table in a masterpiece widely hailed as a classic.
  6. RonaldOVOXO
    Jul 20, 2012
    10
    Frank Ocean Is the new savior Of R&B. This album reminds me of Marvin Gaye. Alot of artists don't have strong debut albums. But Frank Ocean is proving the whole world that his music is worthy to the planet. I wish i could rate this higher because this album is the best of 2012
  7. Hendo250
    Sep 11, 2021
    10
    this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9
  8. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    8
    great album............................................................................................................................................................
  9. Spangle
    Jul 18, 2012
    8
    I'm hardly an R&B fan, but just listening to the album you can tell that this kid has talent. I am a fan of rap, am familiar with Odd Future, and do not generally like their releases, but this album is very well done. I personally only like a few songs from the album, but as a whole, this album deserves the praise it is getting.
  10. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.5
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  11. JotaBrasil
    Oct 19, 2012
    10
    O que faz de um álbum ser considerado uma "obra de arte"? Não é apenas uma "coleção" de boas músicas, não é apenas a elaboração de arranjos perfeitos, não são apenas letras magistrais ou vocalização perfeita. Uma obra de arte musical em forma de álbum é a elevaçãoO que faz de um álbum ser considerado uma "obra de arte"? Não é apenas uma "coleção" de boas músicas, não é apenas a elaboração de arranjos perfeitos, não são apenas letras magistrais ou vocalização perfeita. Uma obra de arte musical em forma de álbum é a elevação de um artista aos céus pelo seu próprio talento. É a consagração máxima da alma, a mente e o coração. É a prova que talento é dado por algo divino. Algo acima de nós, chame do nome que você preferir. Nesses quatro anos de blog apenas três artistas chegaram nesse nível: Kanye West com o monumental My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Adele e o seu arraza quarteirão 21 e o Florence + The Machine com o divinamente dark Ceremonials. O quarto nome acaba de entrar nessa lista: channel ORANGE do Frank Ocean. Contudo, antes de falar do álbum em si, vou dar uma situada em quem é Frank Ocean.

    Nascido com o nome de Christopher Breaux na cidade de Nova Orleans, ele começou a carreira sendo "compositor fantasma" de nomes como Brandy, Justin Bieber e John Legend. Em 2010 se juntou com o rapper Tyler, The Creator no grupo de produtores, rappers, cantores e artistas diversos intitulado Odd Future. O lançamento de mixtapes do grupo junto com o aclamado Nostalgia, Ultra., sua própria mixtape lançada ano passado, chamou a atenção de Jay-Z, Kanye West e da Beyoncé. Com a cantora, ele co-escreveu a canção I Miss You do álbum 4. Com a dupla de rappers, Frank participou do álbum Watch The Throne com a composição e o featuring nas aclamadas Made in America e no single No Church In The Wild. Contudo, o que chamou a atenção da mídia recentemente foi uma declaração extremamente corajosa que o colocou na história da música: em seu site pessoal, Frank declarou que sua primeira paixão aos dezenove anos foi um homem, assim sendo, ele se transformou no primeiro artista hip hop/R&B mainstream a revelar um relacionamento com uma pessoa do mesmo sexo. Em uma indútria tão machista e preconceituosa, a atitude é o começo de uma quebre de barreiras na luta contra a homofobia. Todavia, isso é quase noticia velha, pois Frank Ocean acabou de lançar seu primeiro álbum channel ORANGE. E como eu já disse o trabalho está sendo aclamado como uma obra de arte indiscutível.

    channel ORANGE é a celebração da arte como música. Ocean cria uma obra atemporal ao se colocar em um lugar entre as lendas do soul music como Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye e mais próximo aos melhores trabalhos do Prince. A viagem em um mundo intrigado de Ocean é uma volta ao passado, mas com ao olho no futuro. Complicado, arrebatador, edificante, pulsante, vibrante, brilhante. Frank cominha em estradas da mais diferentes falando do amor em primeiro plano, mas há assuntos como drogas, sociedade e religião. Em cada composição ele vai além do que se poderia esperar. Arranca como um cirurgião órgãos, sentimentos, ossos, medos e muito mais. Como um soco na ferida aberta, ele retrata com maestria de uma pessoa que vive década e mais décadas reflexões profundas e brilhantes. E ele só tem vinte e quatro anos de idade. Podemos classificar o seu som como neo soul para termos apenas uma classificação. Contudo, assim como os três álbuns já citados, channel ORANGE vai muito mais que classificações. A jornada sonora de Frank é muito profunda e multifacetada. O trabalho de instrumentalização é, talvez, um dos mais geniais dos últimos anos. Há tantas texturas, batidas, samples, sons, instrumentos diferentes só que costurados de maneira tão perfeita que chega a ser desleal para nossos ouvidos tentando captar cada segundo, cada batida, cada inspiração, cada pérola. Já Frank como vocalista se coloca em um pedestal que não há proteção. Suas interpretações são cheias de sentimentos, força, genialidade e algo mais que apenas gênios tem e simples mortais não podemos falar com palavras. Não posso ressaltar uma canção, mas posso dizer isso: se você ouvir Bad Religion e não sentir algo arrebatador, esqueça, vocês não está preparado para a genialidade de Frank Ocean. Se sentir, seja bem vindo ao álbum que pode mudar sua percepção do que é música. E Frank Ocean seja bem vindo a eternidade!    … Expand
  12. hornysoul
    Oct 8, 2018
    10
    Este álbum é simplesmente incrível. É algo que implique algum tempo para ser apreciado, sim, mas os pequenos detalhes na produção (que trazem mensagens) tornam as músicas excitantes e gratificantes. O estilo de Ocean é tão inventivo e as suas emoções fluem em quase todas as faixas. Destaques para "Thinkin Bout You", "Sweet Life", "Lost" e "Monks".
  13. CordRafael
    Feb 17, 2022
    9
    so nao é 10 pq existe blonde so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil
  14. BENNEB
    Nov 15, 2012
    10
    One of the best albums of the year...super music......................................................................................................
  15. leumassregor
    Mar 5, 2023
    9
    This is one of the best albums of ALL TIME. Frank Ocean never disappoints!

    A lot of songs on here are very slow, but this is one of these albums that grows on you. You have to give it more than one listen! The production on this album is fantastic, but the vocals are what really pulls me in. Frank Ocean's falsetto and runs are heavenly; guaranteed to give you goosebumps. This album    This is one of the best albums of ALL TIME. Frank Ocean never disappoints!

    A lot of songs on here are very slow, but this is one of these albums that grows on you. You have to give it more than one listen! The production on this album is fantastic, but the vocals are what really pulls me in. Frank Ocean's falsetto and runs are heavenly; guaranteed to give you goosebumps.

    This album is timeless and just gets better with every listen.    … Expand
  16. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    9
    Frank Ocean is an amazing artist, his music just make people feel. This is, in my opinion his best album. He touch on a lot of different themes with his impecable penmanship and amazing voice. It's a shame how he can't seem to get any major mainstream buzz, he truly deserves it. I didn't use to like other music than only rap, however artists like Frank showed me that other music can beFrank Ocean is an amazing artist, his music just make people feel. This is, in my opinion his best album. He touch on a lot of different themes with his impecable penmanship and amazing voice. It's a shame how he can't seem to get any major mainstream buzz, he truly deserves it. I didn't use to like other music than only rap, however artists like Frank showed me that other music can be amazing as well. Favorite track: Super Rich Kids… Expand
  17. GamePlayer77
    May 25, 2021
    9
    Ocean's 2012 LP would be a masterpiece if it weren't for the lackluster feature verses, which don't fit the tracks at all. Besides that, channel ORANGE is a great storyteller with diverse tracks and interludes.

    FAV TRACK: Lost
    LEAST FAV TRACK: Super Rich Kids
  18. MusiclyMade
    Jul 29, 2012
    7
    The praise this album is getting was already decided way before it was released. The listening public and the critics want this album to be good so they say it is. What Frank Ocean has produced is a fine album that doffs its cap to Stevie Wonder and a few other R&B legends. The modern twist on the production gives it a more updated feel too and actually captures some of the emotion inThe praise this album is getting was already decided way before it was released. The listening public and the critics want this album to be good so they say it is. What Frank Ocean has produced is a fine album that doffs its cap to Stevie Wonder and a few other R&B legends. The modern twist on the production gives it a more updated feel too and actually captures some of the emotion in Ocean's voice that older methods may have missed. But there are no hooks that are worth remembering. Considering that Ocean has written songs for Justin Bieber, there's a lack of loud chorus on here that may have given Ocean another dimension to exlpore and show off the fantastic vocal and instrumental production on this thing. 'Pyramids' would have been perfect as a shorter track because it's the most radio-friendly song on Channel Orange. People are literally spaffing their pants over this album when it barely deserves an erection… Expand
  19. blogfirstlast
    Apr 9, 2013
    8
    It does get repetitive, but that's the style he was going for. He is a great singer and this album was produced like a Kanye album! This album had a perfect mix of R & B and Pop.
  20. JamesJennings
    May 2, 2022
    9
    My personal favorite R&B album of all time. While not perfect, and with a few more skits than I would like, I still find enjoyment in every listen. The music really takes you somewhere. It's like you're sitting in a chair on the beach drinking a martini looking up into the sky, but when the song Crack Rock kicks in the sky is on fire and the chair is on fire and the beach is on fire andMy personal favorite R&B album of all time. While not perfect, and with a few more skits than I would like, I still find enjoyment in every listen. The music really takes you somewhere. It's like you're sitting in a chair on the beach drinking a martini looking up into the sky, but when the song Crack Rock kicks in the sky is on fire and the chair is on fire and the beach is on fire and you're melting.… Expand
  21. pkindieboy
    Jul 22, 2012
    8
    A very enjoyable listen, and gets better with repeated listens as well. Ocean's vocal resemblance to Stevie Wonder is easily dismissed, and the production is interesting and the lyrics engrossing. Most of all, it's soulful as all get out. Don't believe the haters, this is good stuff.
  22. N10
    Jul 18, 2012
    10
    The R&B that I loved, I thought was gone, but damn I was wrong. This is an instant classic. The themes and some of it's concept kinda reminds me of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. And just too compare Ocean with those great artists is something really big. For an debut album it´s great, it's fantastic. It's been years since I heard an R&B debut strong as this one. I've been a big fanThe R&B that I loved, I thought was gone, but damn I was wrong. This is an instant classic. The themes and some of it's concept kinda reminds me of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. And just too compare Ocean with those great artists is something really big. For an debut album it´s great, it's fantastic. It's been years since I heard an R&B debut strong as this one. I've been a big fan of Ocean for quite a while now, and I was sick worried of how the album would be, If it's going to be a disappointment or not. And no. This is absolutley amazing. And now I'm honest, just because I'm a fan it doesn't mean that I'm lying, wouldn't lie to myself, that's pretty stupid. The lyrics are really good, better than I expected. I mean, I've always known that he was a good lyricist, but this was fenomenal. The story of each song is moslty fun, romantic, and sad. It simply is fantastic. He has improved as an artist, just listen to the song "Bad Religion"... Wow, an instant classic and one of the best songs of the year. That's cool, but then their are songs like "Sweet Life", "Super Rich Kids", "Pink Matter", and "Pyramids". And what about them? They all earn a grammy. Yeah, they all do. No other R&B artist has a song at the same level and quality as Ocean does this year. Just one, who? Ushers "Climax". And that's a great song. But yet, theirs no other one. How about Chris Brown? What about it. I pretty much like his music for the fun, and there was no other R&B artist to listen to at that time, just him and Usher just to mention somebody. But then it came two great and MATURED R&B artists. Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. If you haven't heard of him, check him out. Browns latest "Fortune" was mediocre, I'll give it a try agian later. A grammy nomination would be a disgrace to music. But I wouldn't be surprised if it would, there's no other in that category and genre now these days. And don't misunderstand me, I love Ushers music, but I like his older more. That's it.
    Kinda off-topic now, but please buy the album, buy the album if you support great music. It's a masterpiece of 2012. If this doesen't win a grammy for best album, then yeah. Their taste of music is bad. I mean wack.
    It's an beautiful album. The production doesn't feel cheap at all, either way around and also the lyrics. It's detailed, and the stories are for the most part absolutely brilliant! Buy it! It's worth it. ;)
    This ain't average, this is fantastic!    … Expand
  23. thugnificent2
    Mar 30, 2013
    10
    this album is incredible. give it a few listens before you declare it a masterpiece, i did and it changed my view on this album. sierra leone is a masterpiece, every song on the album is great. it's recomended to listen to this album while you're in love
  24. javierp
    Jun 5, 2022
    10
    Almost 10 years since this album came out and it still feels so fresh. True genius.
  25. jagai84
    Nov 3, 2012
    10
    incredible album for an incredible artiste with such soulful hooks and meaningful lyrics...i see dis album as one of the best for 2012 and a possibility of being nominated for album of the year at the grammys!
  26. simonsays
    Jun 14, 2013
    8
    A bit too much filler on this thing, but the vast majority of this album is a beautiful. A tad overrated as some of the tracks just aren't that compelling. The production is definitely unique though
  27. QuintonB
    Jan 4, 2013
    10
    Frank Ocean has brought back substance and style to R&B, releasing one of the best R&B albums since Voodoo by D'Angelo. His debut record, channel ORANGE already feels like a classic, mixing jazz fusion, pop, funk, R&B and soul into one cohesive record. Forget about the controversy surrounding his sexuality; Frank Ocean is already a fascinating artist who has much more to deliver.
  28. isthatbrandon
    Mar 23, 2016
    10
    Frank Ocean has one of the most soulful albums this decade. There is an incredible amount of substance and a definite replay factor to Channel Orange. The production is insanely good, and of course he sounds great. An absolute must buy
  29. Blonisco
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    Pretty good……………………that's what I like."Lost","Thinkin Bout You","Pink Matter"are my best tracks
  30. Ndrwdvdbrsn
    Oct 9, 2022
    10
    Frank Ocean's album, Channel Orange, is one of the greatest albums of all time. It has great songs such as Thinkin Bout You, which is also one of the greatest records of all time. Frank Ocean is truly an artist like no other.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2012
7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2012
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2012
    80
    Sumptuous and sprawling, his major label debut comfortably backs up the hype. [Oct 2012, p.86]
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 20, 2012
    80
    While Ocean's artistic ambition is impressive, it's his haunting candour that really casts a spell. [Sep 2012, p.106]
  3. Mojo
    Aug 8, 2012
    80
    [A] rich and complex album. [Sep 2012, p.95]
See all critic reviews »