The 75 Best Songs of 2011
Nostalgia Alert! Jump back a decade and enjoy the best songs of 2011. They are headlined by a synthpop classic, a massive hit from a hot diva, pristine harmonies of a young band headed for greatness.
Frank Ocean
Tyler, The Creator: Flower Boy
All the imperfections and risk-taking of Tyler’s past efforts bloom into fruition now on his most beautiful and open record to date.
Calvin Harris: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Calvin Harris’s new album Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1 is a high-water mark for good vibes pop, reflecting the whimsical and collaborative spirit that is prevailing in pop music right now.
Form Follows Function: ‘The Life of Pablo’ and ‘Blonde’ Challenge the Notion of an Album
Kanye West and Frank Ocean have created imperfect perfect albums which invert our notions of flaws and challenge our perception of the album as an art form.
Nicolas Jaar: Sirens
Sirens is a masterpiece. Melding pop and experimental music, it reflects the uneasiness of our difficult times.
Frank Ocean and a Short History of Spite Albums
Frank Ocean's Endless, the decidedly less commercial of his two recent releases, might just be a victory for artists who've been forced to release music to fulfill contractual obligations. Here's a look at some of history's more significant spite albums.
Frank Ocean: Blonde (take 2)
Blonde is the sound of an artist urging his listener to be patient, and in this age of instant gratification, it is a refreshing, rewarding triumph.
James Blake: The Colour in Anything
James Blake had it in him to release a great album here. He just chose not to.
In Defense of Covering Cover Songs
Cover songs don't have to be all that bad. Just listen to what Becca Stevens and Jason Moran have been doing lately, and you'll see.
Live Footage – “Lost (Frank Ocean cover)” (video) (Premiere)
The minimalist funk of Frank Ocean's "Lost" gets a unique treatment in the hands of the cello/drums duo Live Footage, all of it captured on a GoPro camera.
Diplo and His “Hero”es
The man who sampled the Clash's "Straight to Hell" for M.I.A. teams up with his heroes and Frank Ocean to bring summer to your speakers a few months early.