The shit that I wanted to get off my chest. I was just trying to make a record with the shit that I wanted to express. That's what this record felt like.' The lyrical content, according to Ocean, relates to heartbreak and other familiar tropes of interpersonal relationships: 'I wasn't trying to make a record that people could relate to. In his own words, Ocean calls the album 'nostalgic.' He explains, 'it's a longing for the past. But just piecing together all the levels to do it at the level, the quality of records I wanted to make… But, it was a process I appreciate so much.' Not like writing the songs arranging the songs. Bluegrass is all the way swag.' Ocean described the making of his mixtape as a labor of love, stating that 'It was like difficult to make. When asked about why he uploaded the songs in that way, he replied 'I don't want to seem like I have a cause against genres, or maybe I do. Ocean, when uploading the album to iTunes, labeled it as bluegrass and death metal, out of arbitrariness. Hudson and The Eagles, which Ocean sings over. The mixtape samples songs from Radiohead, Coldplay, MGMT, Mr. During his time with the group he recorded and self-released Nostalgia, Ultra without any pre-release promotion on his Tumblr account. Ocean garnered acclaim and generated interest while in the group, and Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner called him a 'gifted avant-R&B smoothie'. His debut song was 'SteamRoller' on the Domo Genesis album Rolling Papers. In protest, Ocean joined the rap collective Odd Future which introduced him to artists such as Tyler, The Creator and Hodgy Beats. However, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In late 2009, he met producer Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as a solo artist. Discussing as to why he chose to write songs, Ocean commented that 'I feel at a higher level of consciousness when I'm being creative.'Įventually, he landed songwriting gigs for established artists like John Legend and Justin Bieber where he made substantially more money. He began to write songs and he sold them to other recording artists selling his first song to Noel Gourdin at the age of 19. He initially had problems maintaining a career while juggling a job, due to spending too much time in the recording studios, making him late for his jobs. After Hurricane Katrina hit his hometown of New Orleans, Ocean moved to Los Angeles to pursue a recording career. He made the decision to pursue a career in music at a young age, and as a teen, he did neighborhood chores to fund his early studio sessions. The mixtape was followed by the release of Ocean's debut album Channel Orange to similar critical acclaim in 2012.įrank Ocean was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following its release, both Ocean and the mixtape have developed a cult following. Subsequently, Ocean collaborated with artists Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z after they were introduced to the mixtape through West. Recording artist Kanye West was reportedly a fan of the mixtape, which led to Ocean appearing on the album Watch the Throne. Controversy arose in March 2012 over the song 'American Wedding', a remake of the song 'Hotel California' by American rock band Eagles. The mixtape appeared on several music critics' and publications' end-of-year albums lists. In addition, his 2012 performance at the Coachella Music Festival included several live renditions from the release including 'Strawberry Swing' and 'LoveCrimes'. Ocean embarked on a solo concert tour through North America and Europe to promote the record, playing a total of 7 shows. Both songs received music videos directed by Australian director Nabil Elderkin. Two singles were released from the aborted EP version: 'Novacane', and 'Swim Good'. However, the release of the EP was indefinitely delayed in July 2011 and has since been cancelled. In May 2011, Def Jam announced its plans to release the mixtape as an EP on July 26, 2011. The cover features a picture of a bright orange 1980s BMW E30 M3, Ocean's 'dream car', in plain sight amidst lush greenery.

Following its release, the mixtape received rave reviews from music critics. The songs mostly focus on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection, and social commentary. Nostalgia, Ultra has a unique R&B aesthetic and features surreal themes and nostalgic lyrics. After joining alternative hip hop group Odd Future in 2010, he self-released the mixtape, without initial promotion. Ocean was inspired to make the mixtape, after Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans and his subsequent relocation to Los Angeles. and occasionally nostalgia/ultra) is the debut mixtape by American recording artist Frank Ocean. Nostalgia, Ultra (stylized as nostalgia,ULTRA.

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