Initially released to enthusiastic but somewhat reticent reviews - many critics, including yours truly, found it to be somewhere between a masterpiece and an incomplete mess - Blonde has indeed over time overshadowed (or “outshined” or “eclipsed”) its predecessor.Ĭonsider that Pitchfork rated Blonde a 9.0 upon release – a stellar but slightly worse score than Channel Orange‘s 9.5 - only to rank it as the best album of the 2010s three years later. Actually, as far as critical consensus goes, “arguably” almost seems unnecessary at this point.

That’s four - count ’em four! - indicators of “greatness,” all leaning in the opposite direction away from Channel Orange. For instance, Rolling Stone noted that Ocean’s second LP, 2016’s Blonde, has “arguably outshined Channel Orange in scope and impact.” Similarly, Stereogum also suggested that Blonde has “arguably eclipsed in terms of influence and prestige.”įor those keeping score, Channel Orange “arguably” is now down to Blonde in scope, impact, influence, and prestige. Except the critical love was curiously qualified in the same, specific way. Earlier this month, Frank Ocean‘s first proper album Channel Orange turned 10, which naturally prompted writers to sing the praises of the highly acclaimed 2010s landmark.

Best frank ocean albums