 Frustrated with Def Jam Recordings ' inactivity in his recording career , Ocean released his debut mixtape Nostalgia , Ultra online for free in February 2011 . It showcased Ocean 's original tracks , repurposed songs by other recording acts , and featured musical and lyrical elements unconventional in R & B. Although it lacked conventional promotion , the mixtape attained a following among listeners and received critical acclaim . Ocean and Def Jam subsequently mended their relationship , and although a contracted edition of Nostalgia , Ultra never materialized , the label released two of its songs as singles , including the Billboard charting " Novacane " . They subsequently agreed to release a tentative follow @-@ up album for 2012 . 
