Five years ago, Frank Ocean released his debut studio album channel ORANGE. While the project initially turned heads as an adventurous effort from a talented young songwriter, Ocean's debut has since evolved into so much more. The social zeitgeist has becomes more attune to the struggles of the LGBT community, and the layered lyrics of channel ORANGE have aged like fine literature, riddled with subtext, allusions, and symbolic imagery.
And that's not even covering the music. The production on channel Orange is another strength, with influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Pink Floyd. Alongside collaborator and creative confidante Malay, Ocean's debut was and remains an honest analysis on the peaks and valleys of love, image, and self-discovery.
Cover photo by Eamonn McCormack