Earlier this year, Dev Hynes, known as Blood Orange, released his fifth studio album ‘Essex Honey’—a heartfelt tribute to his mother, capturing the essence of the urban landscape and scenic views from his childhood. This collection, filled with emotional depth, highlighted Hynes' talent for bringing out the best in the artists he collaborates with, whether they take the spotlight with affirming lyrics or contribute to the overall atmosphere in the background.
Dev Hynes is a significant figure in retro-futurism, and his ability to collaborate across various genres is unparalleled. He is a boundary-defying artist; equally knowledgeable about pop history and aligned with progressive RnB, rock, trip-hop, neo-psychedelia, and funk. His career has seen moments of mainstream engagement, albeit in unconventional ways. He has added his unique touch to tracks by legends like Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey while embracing innovative directions with experimental artists such as FKA twigs and Blackhaine.
This retrospective piece celebrates Dev Hynes as a co-writer, musician, and producer. The CLASH team explores one of the most fascinating discographies in music, selecting ten standout songs from other artists that bear Hynes' ethereal influence.
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Solange – Losing You
The beat is almost negligible—a mere framework—featuring Dev's machine sounds echoing hollow like a tin box for Solange's insistence on not delivering an easy resolution. There’s no soaring chorus or catchy hooks, just a minimalist structure of drum machines, fragmented claps, and a keyboard line juxtaposed against basic flooring and a transient atmosphere. It’s not a dramatic showcase of heartbreak but speaks to a fragile intimacy: the gradual decline of someone from your life. Perhaps love is only this—an endlessly repeating question: am I losing you for good? Bryson Edward Howe
Sugababes – Flatline
In the early 2010s, British pop group Sugababes faced an identity crisis, marked by label disputes and lineup changes that led to an indefinite hiatus, making it seem they were about to (pun intended) flatline. Enter Dev Hynes. Following his intriguing remixes of Kendrick Lamar and Phoenix, ‘Flatline’ emerged as the impressive comeback single for the original Sugababes lineup: Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan. With additional production from Fred Macpherson of Spector, 'Flatline' perfectly combines catchy hooks with smooth guitar riffs, providing an indie-pop delight. This hidden gem revitalized the Sugababes brand, with Dev’s pop music expertise breathing new life into the group. Karl Blakesley
Blondie – Long Time
‘Long Time’ from Blondie’s 11th studio album ‘Pollinator’ reflects the sense of feeling lost amidst an environment filled with both overwhelming and boundless possibilities. Debbie Harry's mention of the notorious Bowery hotel in New York sets the backdrop. Having become an honorary New Yorker himself after moving there in 2007, Dev Hynes and Debbie Harry craft a modern-disco tribute to the vibrant city. The line, “Happy in success but still a thousand miles away,” signifies the shared respect between a revitalized icon and a contemporary songwriter. Lauren Hague
Mac Miller – Self Care
Dev Hynes navigates progressive R&B nuances like a jazz mentor captivated by ‘Little Girl Blue’, showcasing the comforts and complexities of life through a heartfelt epistle. ‘Negro Swan’ exemplifies this, as does his collaboration on Mac Miller’s ‘Self Care’, a six-minute exploration from 2018’s ‘Swimming’ that combines watercolor synths, Erykah Badu’s ‘On & On’, and vocal contributions from JID and Hynes himself, transforming heartbreak into a narrative about owning one’s flaws. It serves as a quintessential slice of 2010s cloud rap, encapsulating alt soul's raw essence with an enduring ambient beat switch. Joshua Khan
BEA1991 – Did You Feel Me Slip Away?
Dutch-British audiovisual artist BEA1991 infused her ethereal charm into two Blood Orange albums, and this collaboration continued with the central track on BEA’s 2019 album ‘Brand New Adult’. Is it a quiet stand against something? A sorrowful yearning? The true meaning of ‘Did You Feel Me Slip Away?’ remains ambiguous, but the fusion of quiet storm and sophisti-pop, led by Hynes' compelling bass lines, creates an experience akin to floating on a moonlit sea. Shahzaib Hussain
Sky Ferreira – Everything Is Embarrassing
A standout from Ferreira’s second EP ‘Ghost’, ‘Everything Is Embarrassing’ affirms Ferreira's pop credentials should she choose to revisit that realm. At the time, creative disputes cast a shadow. Reportedly, Hynes, who was a friend of Ferreira, shared a demo inspired by a past relationship. Ferreira
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Earlier this year, Dev Hynes, under the name Blood Orange, launched his fifth studio album, ‘Essex Honey’ – a heartfelt tribute to his mother, as well as to the urban landscape and