Dear April

Last updated
"Dear April"
Dear April Frank Ocean.jpg
Single by Frank Ocean
ReleasedMarch 25, 2020 (2020-03-25)
Genre
Length3:51
Label Blonded
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Frank Ocean
  • Daniel Aged
Frank Ocean singles chronology
"In My Room"
(2019)
"Dear April" / "Cayendo"
(2020)

"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.

Contents

As of February 2024, it has been Ocean's last musical release.

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

Pitchfork 's 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]

Track listing

7-inch single
No.TitleLength
1."Dear April" (acoustic)3:51
2."Dear April" (Justice remix)4:11

Charts

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

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References

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