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Blonde Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1322 Ratings

  • Summary: Just a a day after he released his Visual album Endless, Ocean releases a 17-track album on Apple Music (and a 12-track version at pop-up stores included a Boys Don't Cry artbook/magazine) featuring contributions from Beyonce, Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Rubin, and Kanye West.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Sep 1, 2016
    100
    Soulful, impeccable production shines on every heartbreak and highlight.
  2. Aug 22, 2016
    100
    Realign your expectations, and what gradually emerges is a record of enigmatic beauty, intoxicating depth and intense emotion.
  3. Sep 1, 2016
    90
    Uninterested in zipping from A to B, it is instead a moving, repeatedly devastating depiction of an artist who is still trying to figure out his place in the world as he moves forward in life, ever mindful of what we leave behind, the things said and left unspoken, the good and the bad that comes with trying to make it all make sense and the sobering knowledge that we cannot go back.
  4. Aug 25, 2016
    80
    While most artists would have drowned under the pressure, hype, anticipation and scale of an album like Blonde, he passes with flying colors, making him not only one of the most unique R&B artists of our time, but also one of the best as well.
  5. Uncut
    Sep 23, 2016
    80
    The sprawling haziness still lingers, but the songs are sharper and studded with guests. [Nov 2016, p.24]
  6. Aug 29, 2016
    80
    [Endless and Blond(e)] are great--but they require time and, realistically, a step-back from the extraordinary (and sometimes ludicrous) hype that necessitates Ocean’s new works be either masterpieces or a complete let-down.
  7. 40
    Less structured and song-oriented than Channel Orange, it’s a long, meandering ramble through Ocean’s passing interests and attitudes, hopes and memories, alighted upon like scenes briefly glimpsed from a train window and then dropped into tracks that aren’t so much sung as delivered in an undulating sprechstimme that seems to be avoiding the difficult choice of a compelling melody.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 7 out of 184
  1. Mar 3, 2019
    10
    "Blonde" is Frank Oceans second album, and it is an exceptional piece of art with an emotional, heavy-hitting tracklist, one of self-finding"Blonde" is Frank Oceans second album, and it is an exceptional piece of art with an emotional, heavy-hitting tracklist, one of self-finding and Frank's struggles with anxiety. Frank's soft-spoken harmonic voice is beyond soothing, and pairs extravagantly with the soft piano and imperturbable guitar. Frank seems to hold complete control of everything throughout the album and it appears that he completely shaped "Blonde" into what he wanted. Social statements are echoed and amplified, with Frank speaking on topics such as drugs, life, philosophy, and sadness, making the listener think twice about every line, meaning and entendre while mellowing out or crying to the dreamy yet eerie background. The minimalist project is jampacked with detail, something very few artists can pull off, and it serves as a reminder of Frank Ocean's ability to craft a masterpiece. Expand
  2. Aug 22, 2016
    10
    4 years of waiting and this clear emotional album states Ocean's frustrations with social anxiety. Personally one of the best albums of 20164 years of waiting and this clear emotional album states Ocean's frustrations with social anxiety. Personally one of the best albums of 2016 but go ahead and listen for yourself Expand
  3. Jul 28, 2020
    10
    Stfu this is the only 10 in the 21st century and Ik that yk that’s the truth
  4. Aug 22, 2016
    10
    Amazing work of art. This album is a showcase more than a marvel piece. Franks story telling and vocal performance has increased and he simplyAmazing work of art. This album is a showcase more than a marvel piece. Franks story telling and vocal performance has increased and he simply keeps it real on this album. He tells how his life has advanced and changed to what we are now hearing. This album is more of a theme of his life and his growth since coming out and exploring new but intriguing things and sounds. This is not 'Channel Orange Part II' and he never intended it to be... instead frank chose to please himself and prove he is still capable to do what he does best but in a more unique and personal approach. The feelings of this album are what makes frank ocean a true artist. Expand
  5. Aug 23, 2016
    10
    It's honestly too difficult to put into words how amazing this album is. I believe this album will go down as a classic. It's interesting toIt's honestly too difficult to put into words how amazing this album is. I believe this album will go down as a classic. It's interesting to note that he drew a lot of his inspiration from The Beatles and Beach Boys while making Blond. Expand
  6. Jan 9, 2022
    9
    first half: minimalist / second half: experimental, the album in one word: nostalgic. some skits and the last track weren't necessary

    best
    first half: minimalist / second half: experimental, the album in one word: nostalgic. some skits and the last track weren't necessary

    best tracks: White Ferrari and Self Control
    worst tracks: Futura Free or Close To You

    rating: 9.3
    Expand
  7. Jan 8, 2023
    0
    A very wavy produced simple piece of love, loss, heartbreak. It is like feeling summer and cold at the same time. Those simple tunes give theA very wavy produced simple piece of love, loss, heartbreak. It is like feeling summer and cold at the same time. Those simple tunes give the most complex emotions to somebody who is either with/not with or moving on from you. Its different and relatable for everyone. Man named an album "Boys don't cry" and then not just boys everybody cried. No way to hate this bruh Love ain't funny..... Expand

See all 184 User Reviews

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