music review – The Double Scoop

blond review

Author: Amy Nicole

I have been a fan of Frank Ocean since he dropped Channel Orange back in 2012. His sensual vocals and unique sound definitely make him a standout in the music industry. After a four year hiatus I was starting to wonder if he would ever make a return to music.

When Blond dropped last week I was excited to hear the project, however I was also skeptical if he would be able to match the same level of success as his first album.

I would describe the album as a beautiful maze. With a lot of Frank’s music you have to listen to the songs several times before fully grasping the concept. Initially I was confused by the meaning of the lyrics in some songs but after listening to the album a few times I was able to apply my own personal interpretation to the lyrics.

In the song Nike which is one of my favorites off the album, Frank sings about the obsession of materialism and money. He references this obsession as wanting to have Nike shoes. In the song Frank also briefly touches on the loss of black lives. In one line of the song he says, “RIP Trayvon, that nigga look just like me”.

In typical Frank Ocean fashion he reflects a lot on love.

Some of my other fave songs from Blond are: Ivy, Nights, White Ferrari, and Godspeed.

In the song “Ivy” he reflects on a past relationship that didn’t work out. Based on the lyrics it seems as though the relationship didn’t last because the couple grew apart.

In the song “Nights” Frank again reflects on a previous relationship that has run its course.

In my opinion “Godspeed” is the most beautiful song off of the album. My interpretation of the song is that it’s dealing with being in love and although the relationship doesn’t work out you can still have love for that person. Frank adds a religious touch to the song when he adds background vocals from gospel singer Kim Burrell.

Overall I was pleased with Blond. Frank stays true to his sound. The album is filled with soft gentle instrumentals, mixed with deep metaphors and analogies.

Photo Credits: TheQuietUs; HypeTrack

The Definition Of

Author: Amy Nicole

It’s hard to believe that Fantasia has been in the music industry for over 12 years now. She was introduced to the world at the age of 19 when she became the Season 3 American Idol winner. Over the last decade of her career she has been through a lot of ups and downs. A few years ago she was involved in an extra-marital affair that went public and in 2010 she attempted to commit suicide. Fantasia has also admitted to being involved in abusive relationships with men.

Her new album “The Definition Of” represents healing from her past and it shows her growth and maturity. On this album she has definitely come into her own skin. The album is very diverse; it combines elements of gospel, soul, r&b, jazz and even country.

In the song No Time For It Fantasia declares that she has no time for petty drama anymore and that she is focused on her career and happiness.

When I Met You is a beautiful love ballad which I assume is dedicated to her husband Kendall Taylor whom she secretly wed last summer. In the song Fantasia describes how previous bad relationships helped her to appreciate the love that she has now.

Sleeping With The One I love is a soulful, bluesy song that shows off Fantasia’s unique, soulful and raspy vocals.

Other faves on the album are, So Blue, Wait For You, and Stay Up. Stay Up is a very positive song that encourages people to stay strong despite going through hardships.

“The Definition Of” reflects on the singer’s ability to overcome adversity and reveals a new found confidence and strength that she has acquired over the years. In my opinion this is her best album to date.

Photo Credits: Sophisticates; Just Jared; JonAli

MILESTONE

Author: Amy Nicole

Chrisette Michelle is back with her 5^th studio album Milestone which is the first album released from her independent label Rich Hipster. The album title celebrates Chrisette being in the music industry 10 years and it mostly centers around the singer’s relationship with her former music manager Doug Ellis, who has recently become her fiancé.

The couple met over 13 years ago while in business school. The two started working together which led to a romantic relationship, but shortly after their union the relationship turned hostile ending with both of them suing each other over money issues related to music production. The legal situation led to them not speaking to each other for over seven years.

When Chrisette started working on content for “Milestone” she reached back out to Ellis which led to their reconciliation and recent engagement. But here’s the shocker, Chrisette was in another relationship during her and Ellis’ reconciliation. The album intimately details the couple’s reconciliation and even explains how Chrisette broke the engagement news to the man she was in a relationship with at the time.

My favorite song’s on the album are: Diamond Letter, Steady, Soulmate, Equal, These Stones, and Meant To Be.

In the song “Steady” Chrisette claps back at haters who downplay her success letting them know she has been in the industry for over 10 years and that she has the paper to prove her success. She also reveals that she is running her own label now. In the song she sings:

You say I’m underrated,
Don’t know why I got this paper
Don’t know why I’m so hated
I think I’m must’ve made it

I think I’m must’ve made it
Ten years and counting
Shawty running label

After Chrisette became engaged to Ellis she had to take on the difficult task of explaining to the guy she was in a relationship with that she couldn’t be with him anymore because she was in love with someone else. Chrisette actually wrote her partner a letter delivering the news that she was engaged to someone else. This led to the single “Diamond Ring”. In the song Chrisette sings,

Yeah I’m writing you a letter
With the diamond on my finger
No, you never did me bad
Someone else can do me better

In the song “Soulmate” Chrisette sings about the separation between she and her fiancé and how after reconciling she can’t be apart from him anymore.

My heart ain’t whole
Just me without my soul
My being needs you
I’m just part of what makes one of two
I’m just one shy without my right side
Lose my backbone without my right side
I’m just one half without my soul

On the song “Equal” Chrisette reconnects with Rick Ross and delivers what seems to be an Aston Martin sequel. Rick Ross raps,

I’ve been in love with you for six years
Since Aston Martin Music
Drizzy came behind you on that smooth shit
So iconic with the wordplay
It’s ironic I’m in first place

In the song, “Meant To Be” Chrisette sings about the feeling of falling in love.

Baby I don’t know how we fall in love
Now, I don’t usually do this
Baby I don’t know how we fall in love
Now, I ain’t used to the feeling

In the song, “These Stones”, Chrisette responds to the critics who have something to say about her new relationship.

Haters watching me, wanna catch me slip
Yeah, I’m back with my old new
Yeah, your ‘Gram comments be rude
I still get more likes than you
Yeah, I live my life
I live it like it was my last one
Yeah, we getting down with
Any suckers, tryna catch
These stones, can I live my life?

Overall I enjoyed the album. On Milestone expect Chrisette’s usual sultry vocals mixed with a little hip hop flare and soft R&B.

Some fans don’t like Chrisette’s new sound on the album and feel like she is trying too hard to become mainstream. I disagree, I really like the new sound. I believe as an artist you have to evolve to a certain extent in order to stay current in the industry, and I believe Chrisette did a great job with evolving while also staying true to her sound and who she is as an artist.

Photo Credit:

Bloggaz With Attitude

Urban Bridgez

Mill City Nights

Soul Train