Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes Creates a Chill Masterpiece With ‘Essex Honey’: Album Review

After a seven-year absence, Blood Orange — the celebrated musical project of British artist Dev Hynes, who is based in Brooklyn — has made a striking comeback with the release of "Essex Honey." Hynes, a multi-talented songwriter and producer recognized for collaborations with artists like Solange, Lorde, and A$AP Rocky, has recently broadened his creative scope to include classical composition and film scoring. The new album arrives during a time of both personal and global change, framed in its promotional material as “a dreamlike score for navigating grief and renewal.”

Musically, the album marks a clear departure from the R&B-infused pop that defined earlier Blood Orange work. Instead, "Essex Honey" presents a meditative and often hushed collection, built on intricate harmonies, subtle rhythms, and a rich instrumental palette that includes saxophone, acoustic guitar, and cello. Drawing from Hynes’ upbringing in Essex — a county in southeast England known for its mix of industrial history and coastal landscapes — the record also quietly nods to indie influences such as Elliott Smith and Paul Westerberg, even naming one track after the latter.

While largely introspective, the album is not without moments of melodic intensity. Tracks like “Vivid Light” blend minimalist production, reminiscent of the xx, with Hynes’ signature touch, while “The Field” offers an uplifting surge enhanced by guest vocals from Caroline Polachek. The record also benefits from a diverse range of contributors, including Lorde, Daniel Caesar, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, Mustafa, and author Zadie Smith — yet Hynes’ distinct artistic vision remains unmistakably at the core.

What truly sets "Essex Honey" apart is its intricate, almost narrative-like construction. The album’s unconventional song forms and surprising shifts reward repeated listening, creating an immersive and evolving experience. As music critic Lena Choi noted, “Hynes has crafted a work that feels both intimately confessional and expansively atmospheric — it doesn’t demand attention so much as softly beckon it.” This is not an album made for the dance floor, but for moments of quiet reflection — a nuanced and deeply textured offering that meets listeners where they are.

Hynes’ recent ventures into classical music — including a 2022 orchestral piece performed at London’s Barbican Centre, one of the city’s leading cultural venues — appear to have influenced the album’s composition-forward approach. This blending of genres reflects a wider movement among pop auteurs who are pushing beyond traditional boundaries, positioning "Essex Honey" as both a personal milestone and part of a broader artistic evolution.