Frank Ocean has yet to release the follow-up to his acclaimed 2012 album Channel Orange. (The new record was supposedly set to drop last July, but we're still waiting.) Now, Frank's Channel Orange collaborator Malay has offered an update on the project in a new interview with Pitchfork.

"A lot of the stuff on this new album was done with a handheld mic sitting in the control room," Malay says of the upcoming release. "Frank's exploring different vibes completely on this album. I wouldn’t say it's vocally looser but just his mentality; it doesn’t seem as meticulous at certain times."

When asked to discuss the album's release date, Malay said:

I always tell people: When he’s ready, the world is gonna get it. It could be tomorrow… well not tomorrow but maybe a month [laughs]. We’ve all been working hard. He’s been working super hard. I feel like he’s working harder than he’s ever worked in his life. I’m excited for everyone to hear it. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised, for sure.

Read the full interview with Malay, discussing Zayn Malik's reinvention, and more, here.

Watch Frank Ocean's 2012 "Saturday Night Live " performance of "Pyramids:"