The true artistry derives from the deep themes Frank conveys: nailing down thematics from Egyptian times and introducing them to a modern set-piece is the song’s niche, because this Pyramids is split into two parts. Starting off with ringing keys and a grooving bass line, Frank Ocean’s voice sets the tone of the song before it explodes into a powerful synth progression that becomes a theme throughout the first half of the track. Revered rock acts like Bowie and The Beatles may have produced countless classics that you might plump for over Pyramids but I will make my case nonetheless. Obviously these types of discussions are highly subjective and fabulously futile in many ways, and I don’t expect too many regular readers of to agree with me.

Boasting some of the shiniest music production of modern times, Pyramids is arguably one of the most elegantly crafted songs of the past decade.

There’s barely a dull moment in this sprawling epic that’s more than twice as long as most, and as ambitious as anything out there.įeaturing a plethora of imagery, parallels, plot twists, literary and historical references, the story cuts across time and locations as a pimp’s fascination with one of his sex workers is detailed and dissected. What makes it stand out is the eclectic first half transitioning into a methodical, profound groove that is purely infectious. While not, to my knowledge, a physical 45, the track is of multiple movements and at almost ten minutes in length to boot. On the tenth anniversary of its digital release as a trailer for his debut studio album, Channel Orange, I’m recounting Frank Ocean’s 2012 buzz cut Pyramids.

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