Creating a follow-up to a dynamite record could be something hard to top, and Frank Ocean isn't holding back. Going to England for the BRIT Awards, which he grabbed Best International Male, Ocean went on BBC Radio 1 on Zane Lowe's show and announced a partnership with Pharell Williams, who was credited on "Sweet Life." Ocean then got Martin Gore of Depeche Mode, who was recording this at the time, to add his magical electronics on a song Dave Gahan, Depeche Mode's singer, thinks to be on his next record. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gahan had this to say:
“We were in the studio in New York, and we were filming and recording some live tracks toward the end of the session. I was singing, Martin [Gore] on guitar, a few of the other guys. Suddenly in the doorway, I sensed this presence, and I realized there was this guy standing there just watching. An assistant came up to me in between songs and said, ‘Do you mind? Frank Ocean is here working in another studio and really wants to meet you guys.’ I wouldn’t have thought he would have even known who we are, but it turns out he’s a big fan. Martin and [The Knife producer and Delta Machine (the upcoming Depeche Mode album title)collaborator] Christoffer Berg ended up doing a track with him, which I think is going to be part of his new record. Martin did some electronics and some modular synthesizer stuff he really wanted.”
Which means Ocean's next record, which is reported to be the sequel to channel ORANGE, which was certified gold, is already sounding stellar. Other reports mention the next album is already ten or eleven songs finished and it's going to be a conceptual album, just like channel ORANGE. Ocean is going to Bora Bora and recording for a few weeks and then returning to the US and getting Danger Mouse and possibly King Krule on the upcoming album as well. Tyler, The Creator is, of course, involved. Ocean has also hinted at some summer tour dates. [Spin]