Frank Ocean releases visually arresting 'Nikes' ahead of new album - Los Angeles Times
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Frank Ocean releases visually arresting ‘Nikes’ ahead of new album

A day after the surprise release of his visual album “Endless,” Frank Ocean dropped a new single, “Nikes,” early Saturday ahead of what’s expected to be the release of the official follow-up to 2012’s “Channel Orange.”
A day after the surprise release of his visual album “Endless,” Frank Ocean dropped a new single, “Nikes,” early Saturday ahead of what’s expected to be the release of the official follow-up to 2012’s “Channel Orange.”
(Jordan Strauss / Invision/Associated Press)
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The return of Frank Ocean continues: A day after the surprise release of his visual album “Endless,” the enigmatic singer dropped a new single, “Nikes,” early Saturday morning while fans wait for the expected release of yet another album, the official follow-up to 2012’s “Channel Orange.”

“Nikes,” released directly to Apple Music, is a powerful reminder of why the four-year wait for Ocean’s return has felt so excruciating.

“I got two versions. I got twoooo versions,” the song opens, both a nod to his own cryptic announcement a year ago about his new music and possibly a clue about the singer’s intentions with this dual offering of music.

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And that “two versions” theme extends to how Ocean presents himself on the new track — his delicate falsetto weaving between an Auto-Tuned chirp and a woozy slowed-down vocal.

The two vocals float alongside each other before Ocean’s unaltered voice drops in, shifting between rapping and singing.

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Loneliness and lust drive the record after a trippy rap that covers much ground, including paying tribute to Trayvon Martin and Pimp C and calling out a golddigger.

“I may be younger, but I’ll look after you / We’re not in love, but I make love to you / When you’re not here, I save some for you / I’m not him, but I mean something to you.”

Featuring a kaleidoscope of tantalizing images and a wealth of symbolism to unpack, the nearly five-minute NSFW clip for “Nikes” (with glittery nudity and cursing) is visually arresting.

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Directed by Tyrone Lebon, the video combines shots of men and women nude and covered in cash, a dancing devil, a rapping Chihuahua, bodies covered in glitter, a drunken party and self-immolation.

ASAP Rocky appears, holding a picture of late friend and collaborator ASAP Yams. A man wearing a hoodie with the word “Lover” holds a photo of Trayvon Martin.

Rapper Trina appears (she’s shouted out on the track), as does Kanye West — although his face, covered in glitter, is mostly obscured save for his distinct smile.

There’s even a sly reference to the Heaven’s Gate cult, with a person, presumably Ocean, lying on a bed in the middle of a room wearing black pants, black and white Nikes and a purple cloth over his body and surrounded by partygoers.

It’s unclear if “Nikes” is a standalone work or the first release from Ocean’s forthcoming album.

The single follows the late Thursday night release of “Endless,” the 18-track visual album. The 45-minute project is a precursor to the singer’s much-speculated-about album known as “Boys Don’t Cry” (though various unconfirmed reports have said the singer has scrapped that title). Some speculate the new album will arrive this weekend.

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For more music news follow me on Twitter:@GerrickKennedy

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