The KnockturnaLIST: Five Innovative Pop Albums From the Past 10 Years

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean (2011)

Imagine being 12 years old, trying to pass by the dark hours of the night, deciding whether to play video games or flip through late-night television only to find treasures and commercial breaks that bring you back to the ’80s. That’s this entire album summed into one sentence. Frank Ocean somehow made a blend of songs that feel sexy and sad, while still maintaining a magical feel to it. Tracks like “Lost” and “Pyramids” are still among intimate and post-breakup playlists alike. “Thinkin Bout You” makes you long for a person you didn’t know you loved, and “Bad Religion” makes you feel for all the people who want to love but can’t. Ride it from start to end and let Frank Ocean be your therapist for the night.