



Push beyond the branding strategy, though, and actually listen to “Blonde” - which appeared in physical form Saturday at pop-up shops in four cities and can now be streamed or downloaded only through iTunes and Apple Music - and you quickly realize how different the R&B singer’s project is from “Lemonade,” “Anti” and “The Life of Pablo.” So much about Frank Ocean’s gripping new album, “Blonde,” seems to put it in line with recent high-profile records by Beyoncé, Rihanna and Kanye West, from its short-notice release to its limited availability to its expansive roster of collaborators.
