Negro Swan
Artist = Blood Orange
DATE = 24 AUGUST 2018
LABEL = DOMINO RECORDING CO
TRACKS = 16
GENRE = ALT POP , NEO SOUL , SOPHISTI POP
Dev Hynes Fourth studio album showcases the psychological emotions of those people who want to find a sense of belonging , acceptance and peace in this world ; in that world where they are not socially accepted , isolated and hide their emotions. Hynes through this album tell us about his experience of growing up in England, including childhood and anxieties of being black and queer. He has explicity described the album as an exploration of Black depression and the anxieties of queer people of colour.Blending ALTERNATIVE R&B , neo-soul , funk and pop.
DECODING THE TITLE ( Negro Swan)
There was once a European assumption that all swans were white. These assumptions were later challenged when black swans were discovered in Australia.This reflects something thats exists outside conventional expectations.It represents somethings that exists outside what society considers normal or something which people are not accustomed to it.
This also reflects the Racial stereotypes and exclusion of black people in the society. That’s why Hynes uses the word ‘Negro’ and ‘Swan’ , a black swan which is a contradiction of something beautiful but treated differently.
The most beautiful and noticeable thing about the album is its production and how it sounds.The imperfection sound of the album makes it much better ,its like experiancing both comfort and grief , it sometimes gets intense then slows down to melancholy. The album doesn’t convey one emotion at a time. Dev Hynes creates a sound that sits somewhere between alternative R&B, neo-soul , experimental pop,funk and psychedelic music.The atmosphere of the album feels warm and melancholic simultaneously.The best thing about the album is that it embraces its imperfection = Distorted guiter textures,uneven and changing vocals,Repetitive drum patterns,deep and warm basslines.
One of the most noticeable features of the album is its guitar. Hynes uses his guitars in a very unconventional way ; sometimes they’r clean and gentle; other times they’r distorted,wraped and deliberately imperfect.The best example is the track ‘Charcoal Baby’.There is also some tracks with minimal instrumentation like ‘Smoke’ which gives the album more raw ending.
There are also many variations in the vocals, which make the album feel very natural and allow it to retain its human quality. The track “Saint” is a great example, as it consists of different vocal contributions and variations. It is also my favourite track on the album.
With the use of synthesizers, Hynes also gives the album a dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere. Listen to the track “Dagenham Dream” here—a perfect example of this.
The only criticism I have of this album is that its production sounds quite familiar to Blood Orange’s third studio album, Freetown Sound. While both albums tell different stories, the sonic environment feels similar.
There is also a slight pacing problem, but the album soon catches up, so it doesn’t affect the experience too much.
The album has really grown on me.I love listening to it when I am cooking something or during late night drives.The unconventional production reflects the complicated human nature.Hynes conveys his message of self acceptance without hating who you were before.It starts with insecurity and painful memories but in the end it becomes a story of self-expression,belonging and hope. I would highly recommend this album.It’s a must-listen.
Chewing Gum (Ft. A$AP Rocky)
A great A$AP Rocky feature . I really love how it goes up and down with the flow. A$AP’s smooth and relaxed delivery gives this track a contemporary hip-hop feel.
Saint
My favorite track on the album . The different vocals in this track makes it very unique . It also makes the track constantly alive.