Frank Ocean’s new album could be dropping any day now
By Ben Kelly
Frank Ocean’s long awaited second album could be on its way very soon, as his producer reveals it will be a decidedly more relaxed record.
Speaking to Pitchfork, Malay – who produced much of Ocean’s 2012 debut Channel Orange – said, “Frank’s exploring different vibes completely on this album. I wouldn’t say it’s vocally looser but just his mentality; it doesn’t seem as meticulous at certain times.”
He added that while huge production value went into the first album, “A lot of the stuff on this new album was done with a handheld mic sitting in the control room.”
In 2015, Ocean teased his second album’s imminent release, even announcing it would be called Boys Don’t Cry, but it never transpired. Malay now says we can expect it very soon. Or not…
“I always tell people: When he’s ready, the world is gonna get it,” Malay says. “It could be tomorrow… well not tomorrow but maybe a month [laughs]. We’ve all been working hard. He’s been working super hard. I feel like he’s working harder than he’s ever worked in his life.”
He adds, “I’m excited for everyone to hear it. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised, for sure.”
Malay, who also produced Alicia Keys’ hit ‘Girl On Fire’ has his most recent credits on Zayn Malik’s album Mind Of Mine, and he also discusses working with the former boybander.
“We’re talking about a kid who has been stuck in the studio for five years while touring like a machine,” he explains. “The producers, or whomever he was working with, were forcing him to sing a certain way.”
Asked if the success of the Grammy Award winning Channel Orange is what draws new solo artists like Zayn to come to Malay, he says, “If anything, that record inspired kids to even moreso want to have their own identity. They all want to be in that Frank Ocean position — not necessarily sonically but in the way Frank created his own lane.”
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