Dissect: LAST SONG STANDING S4E6

Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ vs. SZA’s ‘Ctrl’
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Cole Cuchna & Charles Holmes

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode of Last Song Standing, Cole Cuchna and Charles Holmes pit two of the 21st century's most influential R&B albums against each other: Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ and SZA’s ‘Ctrl’. Through deep analysis, playful banter, and pointed debate, they explore the albums' artistry, influence, and emotional depth in an effort to select which one advances toward the title of the greatest album of the century. The conversation touches on the cultural significance, production genius, genre-bending innovation, and personal impact each album has had on music and listeners alike.

1. SHOW PREMISE & SEASON RECAP

[01:20–04:54]

• Premise Explanation: Each host nominates an album for episode-long scrutiny; they debate, categorize, and ultimately select a winner to advance.
• Season Context:
  • Notable albums considered so far: Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Beyoncé's Lemonade, Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP, Daft Punk's Discovery, and Madvillainy—creating a broad, balanced cross-section of influential records.

Quote

"I feel like both Frank Ocean and SZA have incorporated elements of hip hop, of electronic music, of even rock music, and really synthesizing it... they have been on the forefront of pushing... the constraints of what we typically have traditionally thought of as R&B..."
—Cole [06:28]

2. THEMATIC THREAD: CONTROL, GENRE & IDENTITY

[04:54–11:14]

• Both ‘Blonde’ and ‘Ctrl’ are defined by the notion of control—over self, sound, and narrative as Black artists in 21st-century music.
• The hosts draw parallels between Frank’s quest for artistic independence and SZA’s disruption of gender and genre norms in R&B.
• A broader cultural shift is discussed, noting how Gen Z and the internet have dismantled old genre boundaries and fostered musical fluidity.

Quote

"It's so much overlap to both these projects, emotionally, historically, financially... wrestling with what does control mean for an R&B artist?"
—Charles [05:02]

3. DEEP DIVE: FRANK OCEAN’S BLONDE

Album Facts [11:14–13:24]

• Released August 20, 2016.
• Features 17 tracks (notably “Nikes,” “Pink + White,” and “Nights”).
• One official single (“Nikes”); still debuted at #1, later certified platinum, and crowned best album of the 2010s by Pitchfork.

3a. Artistic Legacy & Cultural Weight

• ‘Blonde’ is described as a crucial artistic monolith—compared to Pink Floyd’s classics and Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation.
• Charles points out its “narrative, emotional, and textural depth,” returning to it annually and always discovering new layers.

3b. Trivia Segment [14:38–21:31]

• Highlights Frank’s studio idiosyncrasies:
  • Kendrick Lamar’s cut verse on “Nights” ([16:46])

    "The Kendrick Lamar feature actually did leak... but the Kendrick Lamar on Nights doesn't really fit. Nights is so perfect..."
    —Cole [17:24]

  • Prince’s “When You Were Mine” as an inspiration for “Self Control” ([19:22])
  • Frank’s use of vocal manipulation to portray age and emotional states ([20:15])

4. FRANK OCEAN: CATEGORIZING BLONDE

[21:41–54:53]

A. Biggest Song: “Pink + White”

• 1.8 billion Spotify streams; massive TikTok visibility; Pharrell production; Beyoncé on background vocals ([22:05–25:26])
• Despite its “love song” feel, it's about loss and nostalgia.

B. Best Song: “Nights”

• The album’s literal and thematic centerpiece; famous for its mid-song beat switch and dualistic structure ([29:40–34:56])
• Explores duality in gender, age, memory, and genre.

Quote

“Nights—the beat switch divides the album perfectly in half. Two 30-minute halves to the second, which is just…a mind f---.”
—Cole [33:57]

C. Worst Song: “Facebook Story”

• Considered skippable, though it conceptually fits the duality/social media themes ([37:03–38:54])

D. Best Deep Cut: “Self Control”

• Revered for songwriting structure, emotional performance, and poetic grit ([49:16–51:05])
• Honorable mention: “White Ferrari” (almost a billion streams).

E. Best Moment: Blonde Release Saga

• The legendary Endless livestream, then Blonde independence drop; outmaneuvering Def Jam; artistic and business revolution ([51:45–54:53])

Quote

“It was a two-week livestream of building a staircase... then Endless... then two days later — actually, the real album is Blonde. That is one of the best stories in music history, especially if you’re an artist.”
—Cole [53:34]

5. DEEP DIVE: SZA’S CTRL

Album Facts [56:43–60:25]

• Released June 9, 2017; five platinum singles; never left Billboard 200—over 8 years on chart.
• Gradual critical ascent; now hailed as a modern classic.

5a. SZA’s Musicality, Genre Resistance & Influence

• SZA resists the R&B label, citing jazz, gospel, and alternative influences ([56:43–63:11]).
  • Her vocal improvisation likened to Ella Fitzgerald’s “scat” technique.
• Ctrl is as much about emotional process, imperfections, and personal agency as about relationships.

Quote

"Why can't I just be queen, period? ...I'm so tired of being pegged as an R&B artist... because you're Black, this is what you have to be like put in a box. And I hate that.”
—Cole quoting SZA [56:43]

• SZA’s lyricism gives voice (especially to Black women) for emotional nuance and messiness not often seen in mainstream R&B.
  • “She was saying shit in a certain way that gave them a voice… I don’t have to be Beyoncé…I could be as complex and as messy and as nuanced...” —Charles [63:11]

5b. Trivia Segment [68:21–72:36]

• Production techniques: switching to the Sony C800G mic for vocal presence.
• “Love Galore” was inspired by the Muppets’ cover of “Kokomo” ([69:53])
• Importance of vulnerability and letting production push her voice forward.

6. SZA: CATEGORIZING CTRL

[73:13–99:49]

A. Biggest Song: “The Weekend”

• While “Love Galore” (w/ Travis Scott) is most streamed, “The Weekend” is the cultural centerpiece ([73:15–79:10]).
• Sampled from Justin Timberlake’s “Set the Mood”; addresses polyamory and modern dating.

B. Best Song: “Broken Clocks”

• Emotional complexity, lush production, embedded history (sample path leads back to Mac Miller) ([79:16–83:16])
• Taps into the “working girl’s R&B”—relatable, with a subtle Drake comparison for accessibly uncool honesty.

C. Worst Song: “Anything”

• Not a weak album, but “Anything” is considered least essential ([93:28–94:23])

D. Best Deep Cut: “Garden (Say It Like Dat)”

• Vulnerable, body-positive, honest introspection on modern beauty standards—a standout for both musical and cultural resonance ([86:25–89:56])

Quote

“Can you remind me of my gravity? Ground me when I’m tumbling, spiraling, plummeting down to earth… Lie to me and say my booty getting bigger even if it ain’t… That’s poetry.”
—Cole [90:45] quoting SZA

E. Best Moment: The Weekend on SNL

• SZA’s debut national performance; risk-taking arrangement with choir and jazz trio; underscores her musical versatility ([98:24–99:49])

7. HEAD-TO-HEAD VERDICT

[101:40–112:25]

• Best Moment: Blonde’s release saga is the clear winner—legendary in both business and artistry.
• Worst Song: “Facebook Story” (Blonde) is a more obvious weak link than anything on Ctrl.
• Best Deep Cut: “Self Control” (Blonde) is “transcendent” and regarded as one of the greatest songs of the 21st century.
• Biggest Song: Despite “Pink + White”’s streaming dominance, “The Weekend” is deemed the cultural hit. The hosts note that Blonde’s “Pink + White” owes some numbers to TikTok virality, while “The Weekend” has broader impact.
• Best Song: “Nights” (Blonde) wins over “Broken Clocks” (Ctrl)—the hosts are awed by Frank’s narrative beat switch, unpredictability, and musical craftsmanship.

Quote

“Nights wins. Of course, Frank Ocean wins. But you put up a really good fight. I think SZA held her weight… these are the two artists to make the case.”
—Cole [111:02]

WINNER:
Frank Ocean’s Blonde advances to the season finale.

8. REFLECTION & LOOK AHEAD

[112:25–115:00+]

• The hosts note how both albums capture a seismic shift in R&B and Black artistry by focusing on interiority, duality, and emotional messiness.
• Both projects influence a generation of genre-bending stars.
• Next up: a Kendrick vs. Kendrick showdown—Good Kid, M.A.A.D City vs. To Pimp a Butterfly.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• Cole on Blonde’s Enduring Power:

  “Ten years later, we’re still talking about it as if it came out yesterday… In my mind, it’s gonna go down as like Pink Floyd. People are gonna kill me when I say I put this up against any Beatles album.” [13:24]

• Charles on SZA & Black Womanhood:

  “SZA’s Control is messy… So many lyrics are about SZA being like, ‘Oh, you gonna cheat on me, motherfucker? I’m gonna show you what I can do.’… SZA gave so many Black women I knew… a voice.” [63:11]

• Cole on “Self Control”:

  “If this were a song battle for the 21st century, self control would be one I would nominate. It might be my favorite song of the 21st century.” [104:17]

• Charles on “The Weekend”:

  “The chorus is so iconic… What I like about The Weekend is… SZA being like, ‘Don’t worry, I don’t even want y’all, everybody sharing.’ I love this record.” [76:31–79:02]

SUMMARY TABLE

| Category | Blonde (Winner) | Ctrl | Decision | |--------------------|------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------| | Best Moment | Blonde drop saga | SZA's SNL debut | Blonde | | Best Song | Nights | Broken Clocks | Blonde | | Deep Cut | Self Control | Garden (Say It Like Dat)| Blonde | | Biggest Song | Pink + White (streams), but awarded to The Weekend (Ctrl) for cultural impact | The Weekend | Ctrl (minor win) | | Worst Song | Facebook Story | Anything | Ctrl (better/worst song) |

FINAL REMARKS

• This episode provided rich cultural analysis, musical appreciation, and personal reflections on two era-defining albums.
• Blonde advances, celebrated for its boundary-pushing, deeply emotional, and innovative artistry—though Ctrl is recognized as a vital modern classic with wide-reaching influence.

Next Time: Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City vs. To Pimp a Butterfly—the "penultimate" episode in the quest for the greatest album of the 21st century.