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Nostalgia, Ultra. Image
Metascore
83

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

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 232 Ratings

  • 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
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 100
    His romantic laments are models of texture, respect, and profound loss, their beats subtle, seductive, weird, and seized like time.
  2. 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. Jan 24, 2012
    80
    Compared to most releases of its kind, Nostalgia, Ultra is plotted with care, not slapped together with haste.
  4. Apr 15, 2011
    78
    No matter the mood, this songwriter is always quick to add fine particulars that make his songs his songs.
  5. 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. 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. 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

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Sep 28, 2011
    10
    This young and talented new R&B voice of the future has extraodinary power in his words and actually has a meaning to his music and people canThis young and talented new R&B voice of the future has extraodinary power in his words and actually has a meaning to his music and people can relate to what he talks about or just vibe off this good music that's being provided. If this were a real album instead of an EP this would win album of the year at the Grammys in my opinion. Expand
  2. Jul 12, 2012
    10
    Such an amazing album. The covers of "Electric Feel", "Strawberry Swing",and "Hotel California" are awesome. Frank Ocean's voice is beautifulSuch an amazing album. The covers of "Electric Feel", "Strawberry Swing",and "Hotel California" are awesome. Frank Ocean's voice is beautiful and capable of so much emotion. Exploring ideas of love, wealth, and heartbreak, Ocean provides an album that can be listened to over and over again, and only gets better with time. Expand
  3. 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
  4. Sep 4, 2011
    9
    When you think of Odd Future, you might picture harsh rhymes, raw beats and Steve Harvey hatred. It's surprising to think that a smooth R&BWhen you think of Odd Future, you might picture harsh rhymes, raw beats and Steve Harvey hatred. It's surprising to think that a smooth R&B singer like Frank Ocean mixes with these bitter guys. Ocean's singing is wonderful, the beats are mellow, and MGMT fans will recognise the backing music to the final track. I'm not generally an R&B fan, but I've found a soft spot for Frank Ocean. Expand
  5. Jun 3, 2022
    8
    The fact that this is by far the weakest Frank project and I still rate it an 8 really shows something about Frank's unique and sophisticatedThe fact that this is by far the weakest Frank project and I still rate it an 8 really shows something about Frank's unique and sophisticated artistry. Every track is compelling - samples, vocals, production, instrumentation - everything is on point with this mixtape. Its a project by an artist still finding his feet but it's amazing nonetheless. Expand
  6. Feb 8, 2012
    8
    This is the next generation of R&B!!! And I love it! He simply talks about things differently than most other artists in the genre. Out ofThis is the next generation of R&B!!! And I love it! He simply talks about things differently than most other artists in the genre. Out of everyone in Odd Future, Frank Ocean shines the brightest. Expand
  7. Jul 1, 2022
    4
    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 26 User Reviews