Kate BustamanteListening to Frank Ocean’s first original track in two years feels like glancing at an orange-yellow sunset in the rearview mirror with a dark purple night sky in the road ahead of you.
Like night and day, “DHL” strays from the singer and rapper’s usual melancholy sound, showcasing deep, near-talking vocals over sludgy beats that are closer to an underground club than the quiet bedroom of 2016’s Blonde.
Produced by renowned German techno producer Boys Noize, Ocean dropped “DHL” on Oct. 19, two years after his last original single release, “Provider”.
If you enjoy deep bass vibrating through your entire being while you drive your car, Ocean’s latest is worth blaring.
Listen closely and you might be able to decode the personal lyrics and iconic wordplay he is known for. Softly, he says: “Old files just turned two/Still sound like it’s coming soon.’’
“DHL” was released on Ocean’s Beats 1 show blonded RADIO, which returned after a year-long absence with its first episode of the year.
The single’s cover also features 13 silhouette icons, leaving fans guessing what will come next.
