#2 Album: Frank Ocean – Channel Orange

Frank Ocean’s debut studio album, Channel Orange, has not only charted here and internationally but has also won critical acclaim and popular attention worldwide. While leaders in the R&B genre such as Usher and Ne-Yo have veered towards pop, Ocean’s album further expands and mixes R&B elements with soul, rap, and jazz. Channel Orange is a beautiful exploration of songwriting and instrumentals and while his songs may not have easily memorable hooks, Ocean‰’s intimate and honest lyrics are believable. Not only does he take risks baring his soul through his words, he also experiments musically, choosing to pick unconventional keys and rhythms to better highlight his lyrics, showcased on the earnest vocals and lyrics on “Forrest Gump‰” or the smooth musicality of “Pink Matter.‰” With a voice like velvet and a background of synths and live instruments, Channel Orange is not only highly innovative but also greatly enjoyable.

By Teta Alim

#2 Song: Grimes – “Oblivion”

The world is coming to an end and the dark beauty of it all fills every suspenseful synth bassline and mermaid vocal of “Oblivion”, courtesy of Claire Boucher and her energetic eeriness. A mathematical chaotic party of sound, “Oblivion” has come to define this year‰’s music as innovative and future-focused, while listening somehow brings back memories in slow motion. Crystal wind chimes sprinkle over the dreamy keyboard as Boucher sings about spooky walks alone at night and interstellar sounds fade in and out over each other. It‰’s odd to listen to this song now as the year comes to an end, remembering its release as what seems like so long ago. Especially for this fragile underdog, Grimes has proven her strength so mesmerizingly, a redefinition of what music can be.

By Molly Pfeffer