By Devyn Briones
Correspondent
Devonté or Dev Hynes, professionally known as “Blood Orange,” has left over 10.5 million monthly listeners eager for a new album. His last album, “Angel’s Pulse,” came out in 2019, and now, six years later, he’s satisfied both loyal fans and new listeners with a deeper, more personal release.
Before the big drop, he teased his audience with two singles from the album. On June 26, “The Field” was streaming, and “Countryside” was released just two days before the album drop.
This past Friday, the album “Essex Honey” launched with 14 songs and over 10 features, including artists Lorde in “Mind Loaded” and Daniel Caesar in “The Field.” Throughout the album, he kept the same feelings, mood and ambiance as his previous discographies. His songs fall into the Indie/Alternative R&B genre, but his music is distinctively different from other artists of the same musical style.
Blood Orange produces music that leaves you with an ethereal feeling, especially with his use of instruments and techno beats, which is clearly heard throughout his new album. However, his inspiration for this project compared to others is a bit more intimate.
In May 2023, Hynes’ mother passed away. The album was inspired by his personal experience with grief and a reminiscence of his nostalgic hometown, Essex, a town in the East of England, hence the album title.
While listening to the album, it’s evident that every song has a more upsetting feeling compared to his other creations. The first song of the album, “Look At You,” has a slow, sad feeling. He sings, “Falling away / How can I start my day knowing the truth about love and a loss of youth?” These lyrics tie into Hynes' recollection of his early days as a child, a time he was able to experience and share with his mother.
While “The Field,” has a more upbeat feeling compared to other songs on the album, the lyrics are still a reflection of heartache. The lyrics “hard to let you go” are repeated throughout the song, demonstrating Hynes’ ongoing battle with grief.
Despite the trauma that inspired this album, Hynes composed the songs with a beautiful, melodic feel that lingers with its listeners. This collection is a perfect choice to shuffle, whether it’s a quiet walk back from class or late-night drives.
More than just music, “Essex Honey” can be viewed as a personal diary into Hynes’ thoughts and feelings, glimpsing into his healing process. The album is a deeply personal project that uses music to express his emotions, offering comfort to those in the audience who’ve ever loved and lost.
