RePlay: Frank Ocean’s ‘nostalgia, ULTRA.’ Is A Taping of the Past

Content warning: suicide, drug abuse

“nostalgia, ULTRA.” is a mixtape as elusive as the man who made it.

Released Feb. 16, 2011, “nostalgia, ULTRA.” R&B singer Frank Ocean’s debut mixtape is packed with odes to past lovers.

Initially uploaded on Ocean’s Tumblr and Odd Future’s Bandcamp, the official release for “nostalgia, ULTRA.” was canceled after the ‘70s rock band Eagles threatened to sue over an uncleared sample.

Still, its limited release allowed fans to independently share the mixtape, even after it was delisted.

The whirring of cassettes on the tape’s opener “street fighter” establishes the theme of each song as a distinct single — represented by occasional interludes imitating the sound of a cassette entering a speaker.

Ocean goes on to reference other games later in the record, like “GoldenEye 007” and “Soulcalibur,” with each track mimicking the sound of transferring a cassette tape.

The following “strawberry swing” embodies the titular nostalgia. Ocean reminisces on lost love and fleeting moments, ending with the Earth itself fading into memory.

Sampling the Coldplay track, Ocean’s version sounds like a one-to-one copy with minor lyrical changes — a recurring issue. Most of the mixtape’s samples simply layer Ocean’s vocals over another band’s beat, making a majority of the tracks feel lazily produced.

Released Jan. 1, 2011, “Novacane” is one of two singles still available on streaming services. While its five-minute runtime feels excessive given its repetitive beat, the vivid tales of drug abuse and sex work draw listeners’ attention away from the looping beat.

“we all try” is a dynamic two-part song that juxtaposes Ocean’s conflicting perspectives on the U.S. Addressing homophobia and abortion, Ocean reaffirms his belief in humanity, despite its shortcomings.

“I still believe in man / A wise one asked me why / ‘Cause I just don’t believe we’re wicked / I know that we sin, but I do believe we try,” Ocean sings.

A break from Ocean’s cynicism, “bitches talkin’” is a humorous interlude in which a group of women mock him for listening to alternative rock band Radiohead, which features a sample of the band’s track “Optimistic” from 2001’s “Kid A.”

“bitches talkin’” also acts as a prelude, tying into the following “songs for women.”

Delving into Ocean’s inability to balance his love life and passion for music, “songs for women” outlines the pitfalls of artistry. While his musical talent attracts women, eventually the dedication he pours into his craft pushes them away.

Released as a single alongside “Novacane,” “Swim Good” bleakly explores themes of suicide, with Ocean singing about driving his car into the ocean.

The beat closely mirrors the sound of Kanye West’s 2008 album “808s & Heartbreak,” with a nod to the record’s signature autotuned style in the second verse.

Despite its emotion, “Swim Good” varies little beyond its first and second verse. Sequestering musician Tyler, the Creator to background vocals, the track is largely a missed opportunity.

The penultimate track “american wedding” is arguably the record’s highlight — and its ultimate downfall.

Sampling Eagles’ “Hotel California,” the song sparked a legal dispute that led Ocean to abandon the mixtape. His critique of American wedding culture is unique — painting modern marriage as hopeless and devoid of love.

“She said, I’ve had a hell of a summer / So, baby, don’t take this hard / But maybe we should get an annulment / Before this goes way too far,” Ocean sings.

“nature feels” closes the mellow record with a sample of MGMT’s vibrant “Electric Feel.” The track itself lacks the bite of its predecessors, simply discussing sex — an already frequent theme.

While “nostalgia, ULTRA.” may not be as refined as Ocean’s later work, its sincerity makes for a relatable, gloomy journey through the past.