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Summer ‘Cac Single: Frank Ocean’s Sweet Life

“The best song wasn’t the single, but you weren’t either”

              It is not often that I hear a song that immediately goes on repeat for, I don’t know, a day and a half.   From allusions to his former lover, to the jazzy baseline produced by Pharrell, “Sweet Life” may be my favorite Frank Ocean song.  Ocean,  a member of the influential LA- based rap group Odd Future, has been making serious waves in the R&B and Hip-Hop world. Ocean in his young career has been busy  writing songs for Beiber and Beyonce,  singing hooks for Jay-Z and Kanye, and coming out via tumblr. Wait, what? Yah.

                The soul ingénue apparently quelled the rumors (though honestly I hadn’t heard any) about his sexuality. What was going to be in linear notes, Frank decided to release early. But that is really all an aside. This track is more than sexuality. It is more than a love song. It sheds light on the intricacies of class privilege, and how that plays a major role in relationship struggles.  Lyrically the song is clever and the melody feels original and fun.  There are hints of 90’s jazz influenced R&B, echos of D’Angleo and Maxwell which adds a nostalgic (ULTRA, #pun) feel.

Make sure you check it out. Can’t wait for his concert in Boston later this month.