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Nostalgia, FOREVER
nostalgia, FOREVER is a weekly series dedicated to breaking down the lyrical genius of one of America's best writers, Frank Ocean. From nostalgia, ULTRA. and channel ORANGE to Blonde, each week, we'll look at one Frank Ocean song and break down its lyrical merits and meanings. If you love Frank Ocean and heavy lyrical analysis paired with our favorite emotional state—crying—you'll love nostalgia, FOREVER.
The Humanity in Frank Ocean’s “Futura Free”
“Futura Free,” the final song on Frank Ocean’s masterpiece ‘Blonde,’ feels like a grand unveiling.
Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed” & Letting Go
The sincerity of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed” reminds us of the permanence of love, and love’s ability to transform itself and us into new people.
Frank Ocean’s “Seigfried” & Living for Yourself
What really makes “Seigfried” special is a collection of singular lines.
Frank Ocean Taught Us to Never Settle
Ocean’s poetry grows wilder as “White Ferrari” progresses, and yet the final message is so accessible: “We’re free to roam.”
Frank Ocean’s “Close to You” & the Mercy of a Breakup
“Close to You” is no simple interlude; it is a calling out into the void for ease.
The Beauty of Frank Ocean’s Mess: “Pretty Sweet”
“I am certain of nothing but of the holiness of the heart’s affections and the truth of imagination.”
A Frank Ocean Song for The Beauty of Passing Time
“Every night fucks every day up / Every day patches the night up.”
Frank Ocean’s “Good Guy” & Shitty Nights Out
“Good Guy” presents a Frank Ocean bereft of peace.
Frank Ocean’s “Self Control,” Desperation & Timing
“Self Control,” produced by Malay, Jon Brion, and Frank Ocean, is all about timing and the losses which come by way of poor timing in love.
Frank Ocean’s “Skyline To” & the Passing of Time
There is so much to miss in this life. If we’re not careful, it feels like we could spend entire days pining after what was.
A Frank Ocean Song for the Morning After a Bar Fight
“Within Frank’s fresh hell, he finds his heaven.”
Frank Ocean’s “Pink + White” & the Importance of Memories
“Pink + White” might feel disjointed and abrupt on first pass, but the song works as ‘Blonde’ works, as living memory.
Frank Ocean’s “Ivy” & Relishing Past Love
The fantasy of “Ivy” is peace itself.
The Frank Ocean Song for Making Peace with Your Past: “Nikes”
I speak so obtusely because, four years on, it’s still hard for me to wrap my mind around what “Nikes” means to me.
Frank Ocean’s “End” & Breaking Up
With “End,” we’re just left to stew in our feelings.
Frank Ocean’s “Forrest Gump” & Remembering Your First Love
First loves slip between our fingers and into the air of our past.
Frank Ocean’s “Pink Matter” & the Power of Woman
“Pink Matter” breaks down the ways in which Frank Ocean heralds the female form.
Frank Ocean’s “Bad Religion” & Unrequited Love
Is there anything worse than pouring yourself into a person ultimately not worth your energy?
Frank Ocean’s “Monks” & the Fantasy of Worship
Do we accept the person we love, not solely their image?
Frank Ocean’s “Lost” & Losing Yourself to Your Passion
I can’t pull myself away from writing.
Frank Ocean’s “Pyramids” Is a Lyrical Marvel
This is art, Frank says. It demands our full presence.
Frank Ocean’s “Crack Rock” & Observing Familial Trauma
What else is there to say, except love makes little sense?
Frank Ocean’s “Pilot Jones” & the Time Warp of Toxic Love
How can Frank Ocean truly leave behind what once felt so good?
Frank Ocean’s “Super Rich Kids” & That Time I Took 11 Shots in 30 Minutes
“Real love, I’m searching for a real love.”