Nostalgia, Ultra.
by
Nostalgia, Ultra. Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 226 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The mixtape was released as a free download on Frank Ocean's Tumblr.

Top Track

Novacane
I think I started something I got what I wanted did didn't I can't feel nothing Superhuman, even when i'm fucking Viagra popping, every single... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jan 24, 2012
    100
    His romantic laments are models of texture, respect, and profound loss, their beats subtle, seductive, weird, and seized like time.
  2. Village Voice
    Jan 24, 2012
    80
    He's an intuitive r&b stylist, with a firm sense of song structure (he's written for Justin Bieber and Beyoncé) and a conversational talk-singing voice that is as indebted to Justin Timberlake and Pharrell as it is to R. Kelly.
  3. AllMusic
    Jan 24, 2012
    80
    Compared to most releases of its kind, Nostalgia, Ultra is plotted with care, not slapped together with haste.
  4. Pitchfork
    Apr 15, 2011
    78
    No matter the mood, this songwriter is always quick to add fine particulars that make his songs his songs.
  5. cokemachineglow
    Apr 15, 2011
    78
    Introspection of this kind can be a difficult thing to pull off convincingly, but Nostalgia never veers too far into sentimentality to let its edges be sanded down.
  6. The Boston Phoenix
    Jul 26, 2011
    75
    It's supposedly winnowed down to seven excellent tracks you can pay for, versus an album-of-the-year candidate you can cop free legally (for now).
  7. No Ripcord
    Apr 15, 2011
    70
    The record stands as the most shocking thing the Odd Future collective has put out to date: a R&B record with crossover potential without sacrificing soul that creates a complete picture of its author, warts and all.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. GabroMuzik
    May 10, 2011
    10
    amazing job for a newcomer! the new voice of R&B...! He did great covers like Strawberry Swing and Electric Feel in this album! There Will Beamazing job for a newcomer! the new voice of R&B...! He did great covers like Strawberry Swing and Electric Feel in this album! There Will Be Tears and Songs for Women are incredible songs! one of the finest R&B albums of the year!… Expand
  2. Son_Goku
    Jul 10, 2012
    10
    There is on of a mix-tape(because it is a mix-tape) you can't forget over two decades (starting in 2020 to 2040). Smooth and hard; speed andThere is on of a mix-tape(because it is a mix-tape) you can't forget over two decades (starting in 2020 to 2040). Smooth and hard; speed and slow, every details matter, even the sound of the tape the listener is suppose to reverse although the album. Magic, deep and amazing.… Expand
  4. RonaldOVOXO
    Jul 19, 2012
    10
    Frank ocean took the R&B world by storm & this project proves it. His voice & words are just soothing & if you understand the lyrics then youFrank ocean took the R&B world by storm & this project proves it. His voice & words are just soothing & if you understand the lyrics then you know what he is talking about. Pick up Channel orange if you like this project… Expand
  5. TDog2011
    Aug 30, 2011
    9
    I was looking forward to hearing Nostalgia, Ultra when I heard his first song 'Novacane' which was Ocean's first commercial song. When I thenI was looking forward to hearing Nostalgia, Ultra when I heard his first song 'Novacane' which was Ocean's first commercial song. When I then heard Nostalgia, Ultra, I was ecstatic at how good the Mixtape was. Songs including American Wedding, Nature Feels and, of course, Novacane were my favourites off the album, but the rest of the album was also great to listen to. It's an extremely unique album with a natural flow to it, lots of intuition and a great structure to it, and definitely deserves a listen.… Expand
  6. raphred
    Jul 13, 2012
    9
    Frank obviously goes into the studio hoping not to only make a good song, but to make something that defines the word music itself. SomethingFrank obviously goes into the studio hoping not to only make a good song, but to make something that defines the word music itself. Something with meaning that delightfully caters to Frank's point of view, so that you might become biast to his outlook on personal things.… Expand
  7. Andre3000
    Jul 21, 2012
    8
    Incredible mixtape with good original songs such as novacane, we all try, and dust; along with great covers over strawberry swing and americanIncredible mixtape with good original songs such as novacane, we all try, and dust; along with great covers over strawberry swing and american wedding making each song unique and his own.… Expand
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 11, 2022
    5
    Frank's leasf intresting releaas to date. It's a mixtape in the worst way:scattershot, short&boring. Few moments such as "novacane" orFrank's leasf intresting releaas to date. It's a mixtape in the worst way:scattershot, short&boring. Few moments such as "novacane" or "therewill be tears" almost grasp something only for throwaways like "dust" and "we all try". But with the aforementioned considered it's an interesting start to an enigmatic talent .… Expand

See all 23 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Album of 2011
53
#53 Most Discussed Album of 2011
27
#27 Most Shared Album of 2011

Current Music Releases

Full List »
94 Motomami - Rosalía
92 Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road
92 Heart Under - Just Mustard
89 Feeding the Machine - Binker & Moses
89 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar
88 Dawn FM - The Weeknd
88 Forever on My Mind - Son House
87 Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You - Big Thief
87 This Is a Photograph - Kevin Morby
87 Forfolks - Jeff Parker
87 For You Who Are the Wronged - Kathryn Joseph
87 Live at the El Mocambo - The Rolling Stones
87 Summer at Land's End - The Reds, Pinks & Purples
87 Electricity - Ibibio Sound Machine
87 Wet Leg - Wet Leg
87 LIFE ON EARTH - Hurray for the Riff Raff
86 It's Almost Dry - Pusha T
86 Un Verano Sin Ti - Bad Bunny
86 A Light for Attracting Attention - The Smile
86 Diaspora Problems - Soul Glo
All Current Music »