Frank ocean gay bar

When he burrows into the heart of emotion with his words, his voice usually follows suit with an unprecedented rawness. His fast-talk, too, is an emotional trick. The song is a brisk retelling of a fraught evening in 10 simple lines without much ceremony. While the language on paper is celebratory, the vocal filtering and delivery give us the impression Frank is toasting with an empty champagne glass.

Taking the second and third lines bar, we assume the pair had been talking extensively before meeting. Recall long nights and frantic days spent trying to get to know someone in our digital world. Think gay the anxiety that bubbles up in anticipation of that first meeting. This first arc of the song feels like a reading of the dating zeitgeist at large—how disconnected we can be from each other, though our desire for connection might be higher than ever before.

This brings us right to line five, where Frank returns with his sarcastic tone and his empty cheers. The ocean feels so clear now. A dimly lit bar, sticky floors perhaps, and your date talking your ear off with you unsure of what to say, but wanting so badly for this to make sense. Frank is falling, but not because this is a match.

Rather, Frank is allowing himself to be mystified because he so very badly wants to get away from himself. Now, lines seven and eight can only be taken together. Frank is reeling. Overtop lone piano chords, Frank stands opposite himself in the worst way. These are the pangs of a shitty night out of wanting for more after spending so much time alone.

The lights are suddenly too bright to handle, the talking too much to stomach. Expectations were not met, layers have thawed frank.

METEA MEDIA

At every turn, our hearts hurt for Frank Ocean, who is so angry with himself during the retelling. Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Type your email…. Continue reading. Discover more from DJBooth Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Type your email… Subscribe.