words by Ana Bhardwaj

Blood Orange is back with the perfect autumnal album, exploring themes of grief and loneliness

Dark melancholia, lyrics filled with sorrow and longing, and the act of turning to music in times of trouble and loss are some of the themes in ‘Essex Honey’, Blood Orange’s sixth album. You may have seen him blow up on TikTok recently, when his single ‘Champagne Coast’ resurfaced and captivated an audience largely made up of the ‘sad indie pop girls’. ‘Essex Honey’ nods to that category by collating a star-studded lineup of featured artists such as Lorde, Caroline Polacheck, Mustafa, and even author Zadie Smith. NME writes that it’s almost as if ‘Hynes is conducting his own private orchestra within the collection, as each voice brings a different element to the production’, which I couldn’t agree with more.

The first single, ‘The Field’, draws from R&B, pop, and electronica, with ethereal vocals that make you feel like putting on a floaty dress and frolicking in a field as a storm approaches. Delving further into the album, you can hear surreal orchestral sounds ranging from piano to cello solos – sounds that seem to scratch at something deep in your brain. Themes of British identity emerge, particularly the East London roots where Dev Hynes grew up. He also reflects on being a black man in London in the song ‘The Last of England’, which carefully weaves street sounds, children’s voices, and conversations with his soft vocals.

I was fortunate enough to attend an official album playback a few days before the release, held in a beautifully curated bar with rich wood furnishings, warm lighting, and a sunken DJ booth spinning the vinyl version. Dev Hynes introduced the album and its listening-party concept, stating that he believes it’s important and special for music to be experienced in this way. It was the best setting for an album as enchanting as this, and I can only imagine that hearing it live later this year will be equally magical.

Blood Orange plays four nights at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace Theatre this November.

images from Spotify and Vinca Petersen