By SEAN PATTERSON
Blond Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean’s highly anticipated album, Blond, was marked by countless false release dates, teases, and rampant fan speculation. When it finally did drop, we were all shocked to learn that the album did not fall victim to hype; in fact, it was a great album. With just over an hour run time, there’s enough time for the album to really spread its wings. The intro track, Nikes, relies heavily on a call-and-response mechanic. A high-pitched voice sings, followed by a more normal voice, singing of love that no longer exists. The first real treat of the album immediately follows Nikes, and goes by the name of Ivy. With lines such as “I thought that I was dreaming / when you said you loved me,” it’s easy to think of Frank singing about a current love interest. However, the song takes a somber turn when the listener realizes that Frank is in fact singing about a lost love. Based solely on the first 2 songs, it’s easy to think that Frank will be lamenting about past relationships the whole time. Fast forward to Solo, and you’ll notice that this time, he sings about a potential love. Uplifting! The standout song on the album, though, clocks in at just over 1 minute. Solo (Reprise) is a song that belongs completely to Andre 3000. He raps about how the big names in the game don’t even write their own verses anymore, and how he’s sad to see the way in which hip hop has devolved (shots at Drake himself?). It’s plain to see that the album is an emotional rollercoaster, and there’s something on here for everyone. (8/10)
The Divine Feminine Mac Miller
Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller takes on a style different from anything he has ever done before in his most recent album,The Divine Feminine. Much like Frank Ocean’s Blond, the focus of this album is centered around love and deciphering it on an ideological level. When asked about his album, Miller commented, “I want people to love to this record and realize they can love to it.” Released on September 16, it did not take long for this album to become Mac Miller’s most accomplished work. During the auditory journey that is The Divine Feminine, listeners will experience features from multiple artists such as CeeLo Green, Ariana Grande, and even Kendrick Lamar. Some of the album’s top tracks include “Dang!”, “My Favorite Part”, and “God is Fair, Sexy Nasty”. While Mac Miller is not the biggest rapper in the game, he outdoes himself with this down-to-earth album that any listener can vibe to. (7/10)
PREVIEW Walls Kings of Leon
With their last album release in 2013, The Kings of Leon haven’t been in the spotlight for quite some time. However, that is all set to change on October 14th, when their latest album, Walls, is set to debut. A sneak peek of what the album has in store for fans, the song “Waste a Moment”, was released on September 9th. This song is the opening track and provides a lot of promise to the listener for the rest of the album. This single has the classic Kings of Leon rock with a splash of alternative, and is surely keeping listeners on the edge of their seats in anticipation for October 14th.
