Given the gap between Frank Ocean‘s debut album, ‘Channel Orange’, and his next two – 2016’s ‘Endless’ and ‘Blonde’ – it seems slightly optimistic to expect another one from him as soon as 2018. But the R&B genius appears to be teasing new music for 2018: here’s what we know so far.
When is Frank Ocean’s next album out?
Last November, Frank suggested he’d completed work on his fourth album in a Tumblr post that read: “‘Well, I made the album before 30. I just ain’t put that bitch out!’ – quotes from an interview I haven’t given haha”.
http://frankocean.tumblr.com/post/167963583301/well-i-made-the-album-before-30-i-just-aint
After that he didn’t say much for a couple of months, but fan speculation has been reignited by the captionless photo below, on which the cap reads “If you liked 2017, you’ll love 2018”. Is Frank hinting at a 2018 release date for album four?
What songs has Frank released since ‘Endless’ and ‘Blonde’?
Since the release of ‘Endless’ and ‘Blonde’ Frank has released several standalone singles that could possibly be included on a fourth album. He premiered all of them on his Beats 1 radio show, ‘BLONDED’.
The first was ‘Chanel’, in March 2017, which charted in the UK and US’.
In April he put out ‘Biking’. There are two versions: the first features Jay Z and Tyler, The Creator. He later released a solo version too.
Frank’s third 2017 release was ‘Lens’.
Finally, Frank put out ‘Provider’ in August 2017.
He also shared a rework of the ‘Endless’ track ‘Slide On Me’, with added Young Thug. Though it wasn’t released as an official single, you can hear it below.
His first release of 2018 was a cover of the ’60s classic ‘Moon River’, first performed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, which he put out on the day after Valentine’s Day.
What can we expect from the album?
For the first three singles of 2017 – ‘Chanel’, ‘Biking’ and ‘Lens’ – Frank worked with a Swedish production duo called Jarami. He might have worked with them on the album he said he finished in November 2017.
Frank has also continued his working relationship with singer-songwriter (Sandy) Alex G, who played guitar on ‘Endless’ and ‘Blonde’ and has toured with Ocean since. They might have worked together on new music for Frank’s fourth album.
Since his last album, Frank has also worked with Tyler, The Creator, Jay-Z, Calvin Harris, N.E.R.D. and A$AP Mob. They may also have played some part in the album’s creation.
Is Frank touring in 2018?
There are no tour dates announced yet, but this page will be updated as soon as any news comes in.