It’s only fitting that an artist who thrives in self-isolation drops some music during this time. Last October, Frank Ocean fans leaked snippets of “Cayendo '' and “Dear April '' after they first were exposed to the unreleased tracks at one of Frank Ocean's PrEP+ parties in New York.

The two records soon became available on vinyl for listeners to purchase on Frank Ocean’s Blonded website. Nearly six months later, the elusive singer has now made “Cayendo” and “Dear April” available on streaming platforms for even more fans to listen in from the comfort of their electronic devices. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPEQHJ7elK0

Produced alongside Daniel Aged, “Cayendo” gives listeners insight into how the artist describes falling in love with someone who may not feel the same way. Listeners also get to hear Frank Ocean sing in Spanish for one of the first times on this track. Accompanied by soothing guitar sounds, “Cayendo” is a heartfelt ballad falling in line with Frank’s discography filled with emotion and transparency. 

“Cayendo” 

[Chorus] via Genius 

No hablará de mí, ni hablará de esto 

Lo que él quiere de ti, yo no se lo negaría 

Si esto no me ha partío', ya no me partiré nunca 

Si puedo soportar lo que siento, ¿por qué me 'estoy cayendo? 

[Verse] via Genius 

You stood me up, you lay me down 

You know too much, I can't be proud 

I still really, really love you, yes, I do 

When I still really, really love you, like I do 

If you won't, then I will 

If you can't, then I will 

Is it love to keep it from you? 

https://youtu.be/pvU4b4N1-QU

On the flip side, “Dear April” is not as cut and dry as the heartbreak described on “Cayendo”. On this record, Frank Ocean takes us through a multitude of thoughts regarding a moody relationship. Cherishing what happened in the past while asking for something new, he is very honest about uncertain feelings regarding a romantic relationship. In line with those at Pitchfork, I believe this track sounds a bit more electronic than what we're used to hearing from the artist. However, Frank Ocean’s mysterious aura is still maintained throughout the record, catering to his audience who loves him for how he balances openness with his allusive personality. 

“Dear April” [Verse] via Genius 

Dear April, we were safe for a while 

We were safe as the years flew by 

If you could take two strangers 

Lead them left and right 

At a certain place and time 

Like you took these strangers 

And our two strange lives 

And made us new 

And took us through 

And woke us up 

I believe that no matter what it makes us do 

Take us through it 

And wake us up again 

And what we had won't be the same thing now (Now, now) 

But you will make something new 

Still saddened that we won't be witnessing Frank Ocean perform at Coachella this upcoming weekend, the release of “Cayendo” and “Dear April” does create a silver lining. We can only hope to get more Frank Ocean music in the coming months leading up to the new October date for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. However, if you know anything about how much of a private person Frank Ocean is, you know not to expect any new releases from the artist and to just wait for him to surprise us again. 

 R&B      Singer-songwriter 

Author: Vicky Inoyo

Vicky is a freelance writer from Los Angeles, California with a specialization in hip hop, rap, and r&b music.