Dear April Explained

Dear April
Cover:Dear April Frank Ocean.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Frank Ocean
Genre:
  • Ambient pop
  • R&B
Length:3:51
Label:Blonded
Producer:
  • Frank Ocean
  • Daniel Aged
Prev Title:In My Room
Prev Year:2019
Title2:Cayendo

"Dear April" is a song by Frank Ocean, released as a 7-inch single on March 25, 2020, consisting of an "acoustic" version as side A, and a remix by Justice as side B. The acoustic version was released digitally on April 3, and was written and produced by Ocean and Daniel Aged.

Background and release

In October 2019, Ocean previewed Justice's remix of the track at his PrEP+ club night, and made the 7-inch single available to pre-order on his website, alongside "Cayendo".[1] On March 25, 2020 the vinyls began to ship, while the acoustic A-side was released on digital platforms on April 3.[2] [3]

Composition

Ocean wrote and produced the song with Daniel Aged.[4] It has been characterised as an ambient pop and R&B ballad, featuring a dream-like atmosphere with jazz-influenced guitars and "synth-like washes".[5] [6]

Critical reception

Pitchforks Marc Hogan described the song as potentially Ocean's "most understated stunner yet", writing: "It's not the Ocean you would've wanted to see at the now-postponed Coachella, but it's the Ocean we needed to hear holed up alone together in our bedrooms."[5]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 88
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 4

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frank Ocean Previews New Songs "Dear April" and "Cayendo": Listen. Sodomsky. Sam. Monroe. Jazz. October 19, 2019. Pitchfork. April 4, 2020.
  2. Web site: Frank Ocean releases vinyl-exclusive singles, 'Dear April' and 'Cayendo'. Mao. Jessica. March 31, 2020. Dancing Astronaut. April 4, 2020.
  3. Web site: Frank Ocean Releases New Songs "Dear April" and "Cayendo": Listen. Yoo. Noah. April 3, 2020. Pitchfork. April 4, 2020.
  4. Web site: Credits / Dear April (Side A - Acoustic) / Frank Ocean. Tidal. April 4, 2020.
  5. Web site: "Dear April" by Frank Ocean Review. Hogan. Marc. April 3, 2020. Pitchfork. April 4, 2020.
  6. Web site: Frank Ocean Drops New Music With Singles 'Dear April' And 'Cayendo'. Lewis. Jon. NPR. April 3, 2020. April 4, 2020.
  7. Web site: IRMA – Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. April 11, 2020.
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 13, 2020. April 11, 2020.