I love this piece so much. I always think about how Frank hasn’t released a new album since Blonde, yet somehow it still feels so fresh every time I listen to it, even all these years later. Truly timeless.
Molly! Been following you for a while, glad you’re here on Substack. Thank you so much for reading my essay. If we never get anything else from Frank, I’m grateful we got Blonde. Nothing was the same afterwards.
Thank you for this 🙏🏾. Blonde (and Endless) was the inspiration for my last SS piece which was a reflection on my year. Happy to be in great company. I’ll probably read this a few times over the weekend
this was such a beautiful way to understand this album, i always find myself reflecting when i listen to anything from frank ocean, constantly questioning everything that i know and feel. i love this piece!! (also ur writing reminds me of kiese laymon!)
So happy to meet another Frank Ocean fan, and I appreciate you making the time to read! I feel the same way. I always find a new set of lyrics that draw me in. Also, that’s high praise!!! Kiese is one of my favorite writers and absolutely an inspiration for my work
I read this piece in the same voice that my 2016 self would, hopeless and hopeful at the same time, naive of what this album would come to mean for a future me. And now, 8 years after the release (! how wtf), I still get emotional. I look down at my wrist, where a simple flower petal depicts minute 4 of Seigfried where Frank says "less morose, and more present. dwell on my gifts for a second."
thank you for writing this, have a beautiful new year. always.
Wow, this made my heart happy getting to read these words nearly two years since I first published the essay. Thank you for making the time to read it and generously sharing how it connected with you. I especially love the meaning behind your tattoo. Much like the album, it seems like one thing but represents so much more when you really sit with it and look beneath the surface. Thank you again, this is a gift.
When I saw the title of this piece, my first comment to myself was I hope there’s a audio, as I am getting ready, and there was so I’m glad that when you wrote this, you also recorded yourself reading it. There aren’t many New Year’s songs or albums. I really think that it’s based on where you were at that time when that album hit you or was introduced to you. I’ll never forget the summer of 2010 preparing to go to college when Drake’s Thank Me Later album was out. that was the soundtrack to of the transition from high school to college. This was an amazing take. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for making the time to listen, Janel! I always try to record my essays for that very reason. And I love what you said about it being based on where you were when an album hit you. For my 30th birthday earlier this year, I wrote about some of the songs I have special memories tied to: https://www.feelslikehome.site/p/30-songs-that-made-me-me
Also, what’s your favorite song on Thank Me Later??
this album means so much to me; you've done its beauty justice friend.
Thank you 🥺 it still feels like such a daunting project to put words to but I’m glad these resonated
I love this piece so much. I always think about how Frank hasn’t released a new album since Blonde, yet somehow it still feels so fresh every time I listen to it, even all these years later. Truly timeless.
Molly! Been following you for a while, glad you’re here on Substack. Thank you so much for reading my essay. If we never get anything else from Frank, I’m grateful we got Blonde. Nothing was the same afterwards.
Thank you for this 🙏🏾. Blonde (and Endless) was the inspiration for my last SS piece which was a reflection on my year. Happy to be in great company. I’ll probably read this a few times over the weekend
I’ll check it out, appreciate you making time for this one!
this was such a beautiful way to understand this album, i always find myself reflecting when i listen to anything from frank ocean, constantly questioning everything that i know and feel. i love this piece!! (also ur writing reminds me of kiese laymon!)
So happy to meet another Frank Ocean fan, and I appreciate you making the time to read! I feel the same way. I always find a new set of lyrics that draw me in. Also, that’s high praise!!! Kiese is one of my favorite writers and absolutely an inspiration for my work
ofcccc, so happy to connect and can definitelyyy see Kiese's inspiration on ur work!
I've never thought of the album in that way but I'm so glad I will thanks to this.
That’s all I can hope for. Thank you for reading 🙏🏽
I've never thought of the album in that way but I'm so glad I will thanks to this.
I read this piece in the same voice that my 2016 self would, hopeless and hopeful at the same time, naive of what this album would come to mean for a future me. And now, 8 years after the release (! how wtf), I still get emotional. I look down at my wrist, where a simple flower petal depicts minute 4 of Seigfried where Frank says "less morose, and more present. dwell on my gifts for a second."
thank you for writing this, have a beautiful new year. always.
Wow, this made my heart happy getting to read these words nearly two years since I first published the essay. Thank you for making the time to read it and generously sharing how it connected with you. I especially love the meaning behind your tattoo. Much like the album, it seems like one thing but represents so much more when you really sit with it and look beneath the surface. Thank you again, this is a gift.
When I saw the title of this piece, my first comment to myself was I hope there’s a audio, as I am getting ready, and there was so I’m glad that when you wrote this, you also recorded yourself reading it. There aren’t many New Year’s songs or albums. I really think that it’s based on where you were at that time when that album hit you or was introduced to you. I’ll never forget the summer of 2010 preparing to go to college when Drake’s Thank Me Later album was out. that was the soundtrack to of the transition from high school to college. This was an amazing take. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for making the time to listen, Janel! I always try to record my essays for that very reason. And I love what you said about it being based on where you were when an album hit you. For my 30th birthday earlier this year, I wrote about some of the songs I have special memories tied to: https://www.feelslikehome.site/p/30-songs-that-made-me-me
Also, what’s your favorite song on Thank Me Later??
Shut it down
Love that song. I always liked “Karaoke” too.
That’s number 2 for sure
has anyone mentioned to you they love how you reference images that aren’t yours?
very demure of you! Something everyone should embrace here fr.
Gotta give credit where credit is due!!!
very demure!!
was demure the right word to use there ? well, i do that a lot too. 🫣
Lolol it's always fair use in my world
Your story is so touching
Thanks so much for reading!
NGL this made me tear up. Such a special album and resonant reflections
Dia thanks for reading 🥺🥺 truly appreciate your support 🙏🏽