: It blended R&B, indie rock, and electronic music elements.

– A stripped-back, philosophical track tackling personal beliefs, marriage equality, and human nature.

Released on February 16, 2011, Nostalgia, Ultra (stylized as nostalgia, ULTRA. ) marked the arrival of Christopher Francis Ocean as a generational R&B talent. At the time, Ocean was a frustrated songwriter signed to Def Jam Recordings, feeling ignored by the label. He self-released the mixtape for free on his Tumblr blog, instantly capturing the attention of music critics and the internet.