User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 1141 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 1,048 out of 1141
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Mixed: 38 out of 1141
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Negative: 55 out of 1141
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Jul 18, 2012
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Jul 18, 2012one word...beautiful.
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Nov 25, 2012Extraordinary, layered, textured, addictive and a chocolate box who's flavours may differ but are all damned delicious. My stand out tracks are Pyramids and Super Rich Kids. I'm a Whats Goin' On kinda guy and with a bit of nurturing and maturing I believe Ocean can give us all something equally as special - until then it's a 9/10 for me...
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Oct 24, 2012
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Oct 19, 2012
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Jan 4, 2013Frank 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.
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Jan 12, 2013Channel Orange is pure ambition. Frank Ocean's great vocals and unconventional melodies and production create a total re-imagining of R&B. The best album I've heard since Kanye West's 2010 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
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Feb 1, 2013Best album since Kanye's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" Different kinds of singles but all the singles contain a same special Ocean's heart-broken feeling. Perfect songs. Perfect vocal performances. No doubt that is the album of the year.
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Feb 15, 2013Every track in this album is outstandingly strong, each song telling its own story. However, not only are there so many solid tracks, as an album each track compliments each other. The darker tracks, such as Pink matter, blend perfectly with the more brighter, happier songs such as Forrest Gump to make a brilliant and complete album.
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Jun 21, 2013
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Jul 19, 2013Definitely a masterpiece. It is one of the best albums I've heard in my life. While it begins in a simple, as the songs go by, it gradually becomes more complex. Frank Ocean knows how to make you addicted to him music, knows how to make a perfect album from start to finish
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Nov 24, 2013brings peace. Beautiful composition. This is a classic that I recently discovered after going on odd future' website and downloading nostalgia/Ultra. Very strong debut from Ocean and I expect more great things from him in the hopefully near future. Highlights include "Thinkin Bout You", "Super Rich Kids", and "Pyramids".
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Oct 28, 2014
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Sep 21, 2012I loved this album on first listen and enjoy it slightly less with the passage of time and plays. Another reviewer here refers to Ocean's genius and Janelle Monae. I experienced the same exhilaration with her last album and now can't bring myself to listen to it at all. Maybe genius' albums should have best before dates stamped on them.
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Oct 21, 2012
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Jul 29, 2012
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Oct 3, 2012This is the most addictive album I've listen in a long time. And I am not even close of being a fan of R&B or rap.Can't wait to see where Frank goes from here. Well done!!!
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Oct 7, 2012
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Aug 23, 2012Frank Ocean was one of last years sleeper hits and after appearing twice on Jay Z & Kanye West's collaboration album Watch the Throne and a critically acclaimed debut mixtape Nostalgia Ultra, Frank released his debut album Channel Orange. On this album Frank brings back the classic R&B we all thought was dead and does a very good job at it.
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Aug 26, 2012Probably one of the best longplays of the year. And it's so neworleansese.) Fank Ocean sounds like Stevie Wonder of our days. "Lost" is my favourite track by the way.
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Jul 21, 2012An RnB classic that people will be listening to for years to come. Better than anything usher, chris brown, r kelly, the weeknd, ne yo, and others are putting out. He doesn't have the strongest voice....but his melodies are insane
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Oct 8, 2012Check 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.
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Sep 28, 2012This album is literally a canvas filled with rich imagery of Ocean's lyrics, bind together with the precision & detail of a great musician; This is literally a masterpiece of Ocean's deepest thoughts.
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Oct 6, 2015
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Nov 1, 2012
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Nov 3, 2012incredible 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!
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Nov 9, 2012'Channel Orange' does amazing as a debut from an R&B singer. Frank Ocean effortlessly puts together a good album. Complete with mysterious interludes, filled with new-styled contemporary R&B, soul-ish beats with a modern edge to them. It also touches on themes of Bisexuality, being a first to do so
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Nov 15, 2012One of the best albums of the year...super music......................................................................................................
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Jan 10, 2013
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Dec 19, 2012Absolutely amazing. It just gets better with every listen. I can't recommend it enough.
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Dec 20, 2012It's rare to hear an album so poignant in lyrics and instrumentation that appeals to so many listeners. If you have followed Ocean this album's reach and honesty is no surprise. He croons, serenades, and speaks from the soul like no other. As a first true "album" the range and command of his talent is evident...
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Mar 6, 2017
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Jan 24, 2016
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Jul 19, 2012
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Jul 19, 2012Nostalgia, Ultra was my favorite album (mixtape) of 2011. I didn't expect the new album to come close but I was wrong. The falsetto in Thinking Bout You is stunning.
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Jul 18, 2012Channel Orange is an instant classic. The album is the best to be released from any member of the Hip-Hop super-group, Odd Future thus far. Ocean's smooth voice, and brilliant song writing exemplify what has been missing in most music nowadays, and that is originality. It is very safe to say that Channel Orange is the 2012 album of the year at this point.
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Jul 19, 2012Frank ocean is truly very talented, he is great, beautiful lyrics and beats, harmonies, impressive album. my favorite tracks: Pyramids, Pilot Jones, Lost, Bad Religion, Sweet Life, Monks, Forest Gump, Thinkin Bout You
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Jul 22, 2012A 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.
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Jul 20, 2012Basically, the best album since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and one of the greatest debut albums I have ever heard. If Frank can top this... wow.
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Jul 19, 2012This is not just a classic R&B album, this is just a classic. Ocean gives the listener everything he has, opening himself up and displaying his most personal feelings for everybody to see. Its sincere, its beautiful, its powerful and you can completely lose yourself for the entirety of the album.
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Jul 21, 2012
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Jul 19, 2012The perfect continuation to Nostalgia, ultra.
It is a long, epic album, to consume as a whole, and with very simple compositions - the last hidden song is just a lounging nice final- and with really introspective lyrics. -
Jul 19, 2012This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Jul 18, 2012
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Jul 19, 2012Songs on this album are like pieces of puzzle! Just like his open letter, now many hate on this guy more than ever. channel ORANGE is arguably Album of the Year.
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Jul 18, 2012I dont even like R&B, but this is probably my favorite album of 2012 so far. Definitely worth checking this album out, no matter what your tastes are.
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Jul 19, 2012
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Jul 19, 2012The first real R&B album from a popular artist in at least 5 years. Excellent replay value and not a track worth skipping. Frank's storytelling ability in songs like Pyramids and Lost are incomparable to anybody else in music right now, and with the help of Malay, Pharell, and Tyler , Frank produces the entire album masterfully.
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Jul 19, 2012Stunning. People who are giving this album less than an 8 are overlooking the genuineness of the singer and his song-writing abilities. He is a true artist that will stick around for a while. A modern day Marvin Gaye in my opinion.
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Jul 19, 2012
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Jul 20, 2012Best album of the year So Far. The album really doesn't have a horrible song. Great all the way through, production was great and is just a masterpiece.
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Jul 18, 2012
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Jul 18, 2012I'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.
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Jul 19, 2012amazing. his album is reminiscent to prince mixed with take your pick of RnB singers. his range is splendid. i agree wholeheartedly that this is the RnB we were waiting for.
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Aug 9, 2012
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Jan 29, 2013
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Jul 20, 2012Frank 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
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Jul 18, 2012The Album Is Such An Improvement From Nostalgia, Ultra That Is Almost unbelievable, Songs Like Thinkin bout You And Bad Religion Are Simply Breathtaking But Channel, Orange Greatness Lies In The Few Songs Where The Writing Seems Not So Complicated (Lost, Crack Rock) Channel, ORANGE Does Not Have Bad Songs Only Non Perfect Moments
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Dec 15, 2012
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Jul 23, 2012Really creative, smooth and lyrically meaningful R&B. Channel Orange brings a deep, poetic lyricism to R&B that has been sadly absent for quite some time. And the beats and his vocals are nice and polished. Definitely a must have album.
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Jul 19, 2012Why is it that the reviewers who gave Channel Orange negative scores, also gave Lana Del Rey 10/10? I guess instead of listening to poignant critiques of opulence and wealth, they'd rather hear superficial musings about it.
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Jan 2, 2013The best album I have heard in 2012.
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Jul 19, 2012The album has its high points and they are certainly high as far as modern R&B goes, but it isn't as tied down as Nostalgia/Ultra, which is the superior of the two. Highlights include: Pyramids, Lost, Bad Religion, and Thinkin Bout You. It's a must-listen for 2012, but won't be the best major label record Frank Ocean delivers hopefully.
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Jul 27, 2012
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Aug 10, 2012Best album of the year! Almost perfect, my personal favourite songs are Thinkin Bout You, Pink Matter, Bad Religion and Forrest Gump. Amazing voice and lyrics!
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Sep 6, 2012The best album of 2012(so far). Frank does not sound like anyone else. Though his lyrics are at times out there he brings it back and delivered an awesome album.
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Sep 8, 2012As a longtime Frank Ocean fan, it would be foolish to describe my review as unbiased. However, the absolute class and beauty of channel ORANGE leaves this record at an undeniable 10/10. The amount of talent broadcasted throughout this splendid record will undoubtedly allow it to prosper many years into the future.
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Sep 23, 2012To define Frank ocean would be difficult. Is he an R&B crooner? A Neo Soul Singer? This generations
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Dec 4, 2012
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Dec 9, 2012I
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Jul 19, 2012Frank Ocean is amazing! This album proves what he is truly capable of! when i saw it was 92/100 from critics i was kind of shocked! Not even drake got that high of a score.
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Feb 21, 2013
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Jan 7, 2013
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Aug 6, 2012Sorry, one word: Overrated. After reading all the glowing reviews, went and listened and well, couldn't get through even one entire song without getting impatient and bored. Falsetto is nice, but regular voice very very ordinary. I love Marvin Gaye, Prince (now THERE's a voice with great falsetto also), but doesn't even come close. Which one would expect, after reading those reviews......
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Nov 10, 2012Incredibly overrated. Every song seems awkwardly paced to me, and the actual composition is very unimpressive. I like the mood that he invokes, but that's about it. The lyrics aren't very impressive either.
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Feb 5, 2013
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Jul 29, 2012
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Aug 20, 2012
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Oct 6, 2012All of these new R&B artists don't have the same soul feeling like early Stevie Wonder or Anita Baker. None of them have any stand out hits . I feel a certain weakness in their R&B where there should be solid hits. I have a yearning to want to like this music, but they are coming up just a bit short. Sorry...
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Sep 11, 2012This style of music leaves me scratching my head. Maybe it is good, but for the life of me, I've tried, and I can't figure out why anyone would think so
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Jul 18, 2012The hype surrounding this album is ridiculous. A mediocre R&B album that probably would have went unnoticed if it weren't for the artist recently being in the headlines.
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Dec 18, 2019
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Mar 3, 2013
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Nov 1, 2014A beautiful album that explores many different dimensions, what makes it mostly beautiful is Frank Ocean who isn't afraid to dig inside those dimensions and along the way makes the listeners dig into them as well.
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Apr 16, 2013When it's good, it's amazing, but there are few moments of the album that are hollow and therefore not deserving of a 10. However, that shouldn't take away from the fact that this is a 9.
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Jun 2, 2013
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Apr 18, 2013Through R&B swing and smooth colored pop, Frank Ocean pours out the love within his soulful heart and creates a modern day masterpiece for all past and future generations to intake and compare to all the other music that has long past its halls of reigning.
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Mar 30, 2013this 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
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Mar 30, 2013
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Apr 9, 2013It 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.
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Jun 14, 2013A 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
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Jul 14, 2013Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange" is a musical marvel in comparison to a majority of the music on the market these days. Each track does a excellent job of not only sounding spectacular but also portraying powerful and emotional narratives. It stands out in the modern music industry as an avant-garde collection of stories portrayed through excellent music.
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Aug 3, 2013Has it's gems, would give it an 8.5 if i could, but its not up there enough for me to give it a 9, has great tracks like Thinkin bout you, Pyramids, Super Rich Kids, Pink Matter,Forrest Gump, definitely worth a listen.
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Nov 26, 2013
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Sep 5, 2013A smooth, beautiful album featuring Frank's vocal and stylistic range that tells a Los Angeles love story and all the complications involved, from lack of mutualistic attraction to surprisingly falling in love with another man.
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Aug 6, 2018A 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.
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Jun 3, 2015Channel Orange (the debut album by Frank Ocean) is one the best album of this era. Every song is great and there is no reason to ever hit the skip button. Listening to it is like having the best dream of your life. Kudos to Ocean and I can't wait for his new album.
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May 11, 2014Channel Orange - what an amazing album.
Frank Ocean has given some beautiful songs like Forrest Gump, Lost, Thinking 'bout you, Pyramids.
The album has a very distinct essence unlike other mainstream contemporary albums.
A must listen. 10/10 -
May 19, 2014wow this album is great track after track frank delivers great vocals and interesting topics. this album doesn't lack at all production is great very catchy songs of this, some of my favourites are bad religion,super rich kids,and lost there just a few every track on this album is well done nothing felled rushed. very impressed with franks debut album.
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Jul 26, 2014This album does a fine job in both music production and lyric production as well. My favorite track of the album has got to be Super Rich Kids. I would recommend anyone to listen to this album.
Awards & Rankings
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UncutSep 14, 2012Sumptuous and sprawling, his major label debut comfortably backs up the hype. [Oct 2012, p.86]
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Q MagazineAug 20, 2012While Ocean's artistic ambition is impressive, it's his haunting candour that really casts a spell. [Sep 2012, p.106]
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MojoAug 8, 2012[A] rich and complex album. [Sep 2012, p.95]