August 1st marked the return of Dissect’s “Last Song Standing.” Yes, after a hype season one where Cole Cuchna and Charles Holmes fully dissect Kendrick Lamar’s work, finally, they’re back.
What is Dissect?
As the name presumes, “Dissect” is a platform that strategically analyzes a lyrical work. Each season, one artist and one album from that artist are selected. And each episode hosts Cuchna and Holmes choose one song. And they take the listener on an immersive, exploratory journey. So by the end of the season, the hosts have a solid basis for selecting the “Last Song Standing.”
Dissects Purpose
Dissect was created to take a nuanced look at what the most prolific artists in the industry bring to the table. The idea is to suss out the mastery. Why? As Dissect notes,
“In a world creating and accessing more content than ever before, we’ve become a scrolling culture, hurriedly swiping through this infinite swath of content that seems to replenish without end. Dissect was created to counter this cultural shift.”
So in this Spotify-backed platform for hip-hop heads, lyricism is broken down to a science that connoisseurs can gain a deeper appreciation.
Dissect Season 2
Season 2 gives fans more of what they crave. But Frank Ocean is in the center ring. And the album up for dissection is Ocean’s Propeller project. “Channel Orange.” is known for launching his career.
In the season’s inaugural episode, listeners can expect an entertaining discourse between Cuchna and Holmes as they
“take their audience back to 2012 with some album background, quiz each other on Channel Orange facts, and debate what songs should be in contention for Frank’s best ever.”
Who is Frank Ocean?
Frank Ocean. Image Source: Theo Wargo/Wire Image.
Frank Ocean is one of hip-hop’s standout artists straight from the Big Easy. And by 2012, everyone knew his name. He became known as an artist with brass and unmatched authenticity. As Pitchfork notes, Ocean became the first black artist to walk fully in his identity, thus becoming a master of “confessional songwriting.” However, “Dissect” directs the lens toward his bold, creative, and eclectic artistry. And rightly so. Frank Ocean brings to music what Paul Klee brings to the canvas. Their works are vibrant, colorful, and drawn from a hodgepodge of inspiration. By design, they are outliers. “Blonde” stands as an example. As Pitchfork notes.
“Blonde was an album which blurred boundaries between soul, hip-hop, electronica, and indie rock. And it was a timely reminder: Ocean blossoms when in complete creative control.”
So, it is currently available for those who did not live stream the episode. And future episodes are set to release every Tuesday. So, tune in and follow the journey to discovering “The Last Song Standing.”
Written by: Renae Richardson
