Frank Ocean’s Blonde, though its carefully assembled inner workings are unquestionably timeless, turned five entire years young back in August. And while any true fan is fully supportive of great work often taking great amounts of time, it’s hard to deny that detailed updates about the follow-up—especially if the latest report turns out to be accurate—are a pleasant change of pace.
A report from Hits Daily Double alleges Ocean has indeed been “shopping a new album.” The outlet’s sources say Ocean is being represented by attorney Laurie Soriano—a partner in the entertainment division of the King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano firm—and that meetings with industry executives are being taken. During those meetings, according to the report, new music from Ocean is being played.
Complex has reached out to a rep for Soriano for comment.
The wording of the report itself is also worth special attention, particularly with regards to the sources having described the album as “fucking great.” Of course, it’s difficult to imagine anyone hearing new Frank Ocean music and not sharing that exact same (alleged) assessment.
Blonde was quite famously released under Ocean’s own Boys Don’t Cry label after the Def Jam contract-fulfilling Endless, the latter of which was a visual album. Later speaking about this chapter of his career in a 2019 interview withDazed, Ocean detailed the extensive measures he underwent to keep his twofold strategy plans a secret.
“When August came around and both projects were uploaded I felt the euphoria, yeah, but mostly I just needed to sleep. I probably slept something like 15 hours,” he said.
More recently, the public focus has been on Homer, Ocean’s independent luxury company. Last week, the Homer team unveiled a new collab collection with Prada. This unveiling was followed mere days later by Ocean’s fake baby-accompanied Met Gala appearance, which quite enjoyably resulted in a number of Annette mentions.
As for the DreamWorks-referencing hat Ocean was wearing at the Met Gala, get a closer look below.
