Good Listener: "Chanel" - Frank Ocean

I am a woman obsessed. From the moment I first heard Novacane and the rest of Nostalgia, Ultra, just the utterance of the name Frank Ocean was enough to send me into hysterics and have me speaking in tounges. Yeah, it's that serious.

I am also a woman of words; something that Ocean has plenty of. Hands down one of the most talented lyricists to grace the music industry (at least in my opinion), his words paint vivid pictures for listeners: of life, of love, of sex. These words resonate with us and make us feel, and I mean really feel, things. You know a song is a Frank Ocean song not just by the voice, but by the pang in your heart as each rhyme strikes a chord within you. Each of his songs is a gem in their own right, but the brightest of these gems is "Chanel."

Now, because I live under a rock and don't have Apple Music, I wasn't one of the lucky few who heard this song when it first premiered on the Beats 1 Radio show during "blonded Radio" back in March. But the next day, as I was innocently scrolling through Facebook, I came across a link to the song through the Fader. My life hasn't been the same since. In fact, it's been ten times better.

As tempted as I am to do a line by line analysis of the song (I could talk about this song and its lyrics all damn day), for sake of brevity I won't and will just highlight some of the most poignant lyrics. Let's begin:

"My guy pretty like a girl, and he got fight stories to tell

I see both sides like Chanel, "c" on both sides like Chanel"

"Chanel" has been dubbed a bisexual anthem by some for the second line, and whether or not it was intended that way is still to be confirmed, but it's easy to see why. In addition to being a woman obsessed with Frank Ocean and music, I'm also obsessed with fashion. When the two worlds collide, it makes for a very happy Jasmyne. In short, the Chanel reference was greatly appreciated.

The song also goes on to comment on police perception of African American men:

"Police think I'm of the underworld

"12" treat a n***a like he 12

How you looking up to me and talking down?

Can't you see I am the big man?

God level, I am the "I am"

 His fame doesn't exempt him from being a suspect, "12" being slang for police. Not that he's asking to be exempt, but when he's put on such an intimidatingly high pedestal by not just fans but big names in the industry as well, who wouldn't get a big head about themselves and assume a God-like mentality?

"2016 burnt some discs, 2017 ideas playing off a Walkman"

Ocean released his highly anticipated sophomore album Blonde in August 2016, and even though there are no confirmed follow-up album rumors (especially with him releasing new songs and collaborations left and right), Chanel could very well be part of a greater collection of songs in the works.

My friends and anyone who has access to my Spotify account will tell you that this song is all that I have listened to since it came out, and they're not wrong. I mean it when I say that I love this song. I want an instrumental of it played at my funeral. I want the lyrics tattooed all over my body. I want to scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs.

But that's what happens when you find a good song. You want everyone to know about it and sing with you.

Good Listener

I love the funky sound of The 1975's songs and I love it even more when they add touches of jazz (like the epic saxophone solo featured in this song).


Sky Ferreira is, in my opinion, the perfect anti-pop pop artist and it absolutely kills me that she doesn't get the recognition that she deserves. I love this song because it feels very 90s, and also her playing the role of a badass, drug dealing, gang leader in the video is pretty amazing too.


One of the great things about Jhene Aiko is her ability to completely lose herself emotionally in her songs and this one makes me want to cry over a bunch of guys that I haven't even dated. I highly recommend you listen to this if you've gone through a bad breakup, but I wouldn't suggest that you key the guy's car or go all "Waiting to Exhale" and burn all of his belongings like she did in the video.


Paolo Nutini is an eternal man crush of mine and the funk/rock/bluesy-ness of his new album is beyond perfect. This is one of those songs where you kind of have to get up and dance to it because it makes you feel that good.


Earlier this week I did a post on a mood board I made that was inspired by this song, so of course I had to feature it.

Good Listener

I always listen to Regina Spektor when I'm working on something or feeling creative. She's very creative with her song writing and her songs are the perfect balance of upbeat and mellow to keep my imagination flowing.



"Florida Kilos" is one of the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of Ultraviolence and it might be my new favorite. It has a very Scarface vibe and the chorus is insanely catchy.



I love the use of drums in this song because they sound really tribal and I feel it would fit well in a post apocalyptic scenario. If or when the end of the world comes, this song will be playing.



"I was scared of dentists and the dark/I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations"
I found this song after Lorde tweeted some of the lyrics a few months ago and just recently started listening to it again. I think that Vance Joy has a very unique voice for a man, and it fits him and his songs very well.

Good Listener

Lately I've started listening to Childish Gambino's Because the Internet album on repeat and I'm just as in love with it as I was the first time I listened to it. This time around, a favorite track of mine is "Sweatpants". I like how even with all the metaphors and quirky puns he uses throughout the song still keeps its rap edge.



I found this song through Spotify (which I seriously suggest every music lover download) and it took me completely by surprise. Pharrell is possibly the most talented and in demand music producer around, and to hear him rap and be so witty and fluid with his rhymes blew my mind. Of course rapping is already part of his extensive resume, but I just think that this song is particularly impressive.



San Cisco is another Spotify gem that I've discovered. Their upbeat doo-wopish sound makes for songs that have you dancing and humming in your seat. The dance competition themed music video for their song "Fred Astaire" is a perfect example of this.

Good Listener: Songs of the Week

I've found my breakup song for whenever that dreaded first heartbreak comes. In an ode to failed love, Haim's funky alterna-rock track "If I Could Change Your Mind" will have you dancing through your tears.



Never have I seen a music video compliment a song so well and Sia's unique, raspy voice shines in "Chandelier". You can feel the emotion in every word sung, and the dancer in the video (Maddie Ziegler from Dance Moms) interprets the song with her body, demonstrating technique and discipline way beyond her years.



One of the things that I love about Bastille is the way that their lyrics are written like stories so you can picture everything in your head. "Poet" is my favorite song from Bad Blood, and it tells the story of being so consumed by love for someone that you create your own love story in your head. As a writer, I can definitely relate to this.



Surf punk, to me, sounds best in the summer. Best Coast is my go-to band because because of their smooth melodies and lyrics so catchy that you really can't help but to sing along. If you close your eyes while listening to "Our Deal" you might just transport yourself to a beach hidden deep in your subconscious (but if you want to watch the "West Side Story" themed video, that's cool too).