Blood Orange (Dev Hynes), makes a compelling return with “Charcoal Baby,” an advance single from his fourth studio album, ‘Negro Swan.’  

Blood Orange – alternative British singer/songwriter Dev Hynes – is back! Yes, Hynes returns in alluring fashion with “Charcoal Baby,” an advance single from his fourth studio album, Negro Swan (arriving August 24). Notably, Hynes also released another single, “Jewelry” alongside “Charcoal Baby” ahead of Negro Swan.

“Charcoal Baby” features unique production work throughout.  This is a major selling point.  That production work includes the awesome, soulful, uniquely-tuned guitar (sounds slightly out of tune, purposefully), as well as a solid throwback soul groove.  The vocals are awesome – smooth, calm, cool, and collected.  There’s only one verse that’s repeated several times: “When you wake up / It’s not the first thing that you wanna know / Can you still count / All of the reasons that you’re not alone?” The memorable chorus welcomes a synth, which replaces the guitar.  Piano arrives on the second half of the chorus.  During this terrific section, Blood Orange sings:

“No one wants to be the odd one out at times / No one wants to be the negro swan / Can you break sometimes? (sometimes) / Can you break sometimes (sometimes, oh) / Charcoal make it start and make me liked at times / Look me down at queens all of the world / Can you break sometimes? / Can you break sometimes?”

Later on, post-bridge, there’s an excellent break (guitar and flute) – a brief change of pace.  The groove returns strong on the outro, along with a ripe, old-school saxophone solo.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Blood Orange makes a stellar statement with “Charcoal Baby.” It’s truly ‘alternative,’ but absolutely stunning.

Blood Orange • Negro Swan • Domino • Release: 8.24.18

Photo Credit: Domino