PUYL Favorite Song: Frank Ocean - Whip Appeal (SBTRKT Edit)

Hooold up.  I've been doing this for 2 years now.  About a third of all my posts are coming this month, and I can't say that there's been much growth for my blog, but I'm still doing it.  That's really what's most important to me.  Push Up Ya Lighter has always been just a creative outlet dealing with an area I know and love, music.  That said, I truly appreciate the views I get.  Knowing that at least a handful of people see what I write and might discover something they've never heard of makes it worthwhile for me.  So thank you.

On to the music for the day.  Frank Ocean fans didn't need to wait until the release of his album in mid summer for some refreshing new sounds from the young crooner.  Soon after the original appeared, SBTRKT grabbed 'Whip Appeal' and filled it out a little bit.  It's got that summertime feel, which is why I included it on my Glare mixtape back in August.

That picture is from Frank's set at Lollapalooza this summer, which I was lucky enough to be at.  He played a stage that was tucked away under a stand of trees, and he was the closing act for the night.  Actually, SBTRKT had played same stage the day before.  Of all the artists I saw, Frank Ocean was the only one that I made a point of watching for his entire set.  His album, channel ORANGE, had been out for about a month so I felt that he was too relevant at the time to miss.  Of course, he didn't let me down.  The stage setting, the summer night sky behind us and the Chicago skyline behind him, and the hushed lights on stage created an atmosphere that perfectly complemented Frank's powerful performance.  This man gave us one of my favorite songs of the year and it wasn't even on his album, which was one of the best of the year.  That's a true talent and I'm glad to be able to recognize and appreciate him and his music.

Download: Frank Ocean - Whip Appeal (SBTRKT Edit)

PUYL Favorite Album: Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE

In 2011 Frank Ocean had pretty much the best year an emerging artist could have.  After several years of songwriting for other artists, Ocean put out his mixtape nostalgia, ULTRA which propelled him into the public eye.  He also had two features on two of the most highly anticipated hip-hop albums of 2011: his Odd Future brother Tyler, The Creator's Goblin, and Watch The Throne by Jay-Z & Kanye West.  With him finally being recognized with commercial and critical success, Frank was set to dominate the airwaves when his debut studio album came out this past July.

Ocean did indeed start to get heavy radioplay with his lead single, Thinkin' Bout You.  It was first released in the summer of 2011 as a reference track since he originally penned it for Bridget Kelly.  In a perfect example of people connecting to Frank's passion, his version received so much praise that he decided to use it on his own debut as well.  In a little under an hour, Frank explores love and love lost, pain and pleasure, privilege and poorness, and vices and virtues.  For all the turmoil he contemplates, it always feels like he reaches some kind of catharsis and is able to be at peace.  The instrumentals are an eclectic mix of experimental drum beats, piano lines, and soothing synths.  They never draw away from the main focus of the album, Frank.  The handful of featured artists never steal much attention either.  This doesn't come across as arrogant, though, Frank's deeply introspective musings should be the centerpiece of channel ORANGE because they are the most touching aspect of his music.  Beyond the production, features, and Frank's own excellent voice, his personal reflections on life and living give color to the album and make it worth tuning in.

Download: Frank Ocean - Pilot Jones