Hello?? Frank? We've been waiting for you for seven years. It feels like an eternity since Blonde was released into the universe, cementing Frank Ocean as one of our era's most beloved musicians. Although we haven't tired of listening to Self-Control on a continuous loop when we're depressed, the idea that his long-awaited follow-up record and third album could be on the horizon has cracked open a fresh spring of hope.
In September 2020, there was a rumour that Ocean was "shopping his new record" at different labels, which suggests that the musician is finally ready to release something new into the universe. Now, with all but confirmation that a third album is on its way following his appearance at Coachella, we thought it best to sift through the whispers and see how much credence they have.
First up, let's take a look at those choice words he spoke during his Coachella set.
Frank Ocean announcing that a new album is coming during his Coachella set. pic.twitter.com/xmszqh3o8o
— Frank Ocean Updates (@blahnded) April 17, 2023
During his set, Ocean said, among many things, that he had missed his fans. “It’s been so long but I have missed you,” he began. “I wanna talk about why I’m here, ‘cos it’s not because of a new album – not that there’s not a new album – but there’s not right now." He then went on to share the meaning Coachella holds for him, as a festival he would regularly attend with his younger brother Ryan, who died back in 2020 aged 18 in a car crash.
As far as the album is concerned, it's not an outright no, but also, not a resounding yes either? Here Ocean is again, dangling a carrot in front of our fragile little minds.
Is Frank in the studio?
Our rigorous investigative journalism points to yes. On his Apple Music show, Blonded Radio, Ocean mentioned that he'd been on hallucinogens while “in the studio” during a recent episode focused around psychedelics. An album as the result of Frank on shrooms? Let me at it.
What's more, i-D reported that Rosalìa has been in the studio with Ocean where he offered her advice on her single, SAOKO. “Frank tells me to open the world like a nut”, she mentioned during her Spring 2022 cover interview with the publication. So we'll be clinging onto that bit of information for dear life.
What will the album be about?
Honestly? Only the higher ups can know, but if our sniffing around has revealed anything it is that album could be a good listen to anyone on psychedelics, possibly?
When will it come out?
Your guess is as good as mine at this point, but we do have a couple of leads. Judging by the fact that Frank Ocean was a huge drawcard on the recent Coachella lineup, a slot that is only given to artists with new music on the way, there's a strong case to be had here.
On the other hand, it's Frank Ocean, who rarely does anything in a predictable or standard way, so we can never really be sure until we've got a new album in our ears.
Image: Instagram
