Twitter’s favorite “Where is Frank?” jokes have finally expired. Despite several anticlimactic previously announced drop dates and a surprise album name change, Frank Ocean’s _Blonde_ was released on Apple Music Aug. 20 and was well worth the wait.

After four years of absence, Ocean simultaneously released a visual album, a full-length album on Apple Music and a magazine by his previously announced album title _Boys Don’t Cry_. In other words, judging by his pattern so far, we will not hear from Ocean again for a long time.

Beginning with the single _Nikes_, Ocean transitions back and forth between a high-pitched, autotuned track and the smooth R&B voice his fans have come to know and love, while discussing the lack of value in materialistic things such as Nike brand shoes and Balmain jeans. His evaluation of iconic name brands transitions into his assessment of the relationship he holds with the person he is “not in love [with]/ but [makes] love to”. In Ocean’s eyes, it is all meaningless.

Ocean has had four years of opportunity for experience since his last release, making it no surprise a recurring theme of the album is heartbreak and exploration of his own sexuality. Ocean’s coming out as bisexual in 2012 influences lyrics in _Blonde_, speaking of his relationships with both men and women.

Despite this four year gap in album releases, _Blonde_ encompasses the perfect blend of sound from prior albums _Nostalgia, Ultra_ and _Channel Orange_, staying true to the Frank Ocean we all love. Tracks like _Ivy_, _Pink + White_ and _White Ferrari_ possess the same dreamy, atmospheric vibe, while smoother, more R&B tracks like _Nikes_, _Skyline To_ and _Close To You_ find their roots in _Channel Orange_.

The fourth track on _Blonde_ should serve as a reminder for new students at MU. In sharing words of maternal wisdom, a voicemail featuring the mother of a friend of Ocean gives the album a more familiar and relatable feeling. Everyone has been given the “make smart choices” talk by their mother, most likely what seems like a million times, and Ocean is no different. The mother in the track adamantly repeats “don’t try to be someone else/be yourself and know that that is good enough”. Advice regarding drug and alcohol use is dished out all of the 1 minute and 27 seconds worth of the voicemail. (Many college students have gone to college and gotten hooked on drugs, marijuana, and alcohol/ listen, stop trying to be somebody else). The track concludes with “This is mom, call me. Bye”, a voicemail every college student has received at least once in their lifetime, many in the first week of school, increasing the relatability of the album.

_Blonde_ comes to a close with a nine-minute, incredibly vulnerable, conversational track. The first five minutes features Ocean reflecting on his fame in a conversation with his mother (I’m just a guy/I’m not a god/Sometimes I feel like I’m a god/ but I’m not a god). In complete humility, Ocean reveals his feelings about his life on stage. Following 30 seconds of dead air, a recording of a fake interview between Ocean and his younger brother plays, only furthering the intimacy of the album.

After viewing the visual album, listening to _Blonde_ and seeing previews of pages from the magazine _Boys Don’t Cry_, Ocean’s four-year absence has been excused. Assuming Ocean resumes his recluse status, perhaps 2020 will bring another absolutely beautiful album.

**MOVE gives _Blonde_ 4 out of 5 stars**