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Off the back of working alongside the likes of Sky Ferreira, MKS and most notably Solange on her True EP, Dev Hynes aka Blood Orange has found time to write and produce his sophomore album Cupid Deluxe. Hynes leaves no stone unturned with this remarkable, beautifully constructed, seductively funky record with a twist of melodic downtempo dance.
This record arrived in the DeLorian without Marty McFly - it whiffs of everything that is distinctively 80s, the soul-funk like production, slap bass riffs, smooth saxophone melodies and falsetto. Cupid Deluxe combines and fuses the zoned out elements of dance music with the aforementioned. Musically speaking, Hynes has come a long way from the UK Indie kid he once was to becoming a purveyor of dance funk.
There are some intriguing features in the form of grime artist Skepta and David Longstreth of The Dirty Projectors to name a few but Hynes not once sounds out of his depth . Cupid Deluxe is like a recital of a love story, in fact it’s obviously romantic, which makes it so darn good. The contrast of dreamy and melancholic production throughout makes it such an intriguing listen. ‘You’re Not Good Enough’ is vibrant and the riffs are reminiscent of The Talking Heads. ‘Clipped On’ will leave you wondering whether you accidently put on an early Ice Cube record, original B-Boy Hip Hop at its purest. ‘Always Let U Down’ portrays Hynes’ as the no longer heartbroken but honest, with the lyrics “I can only disappoint you, cos I always let you down” forever being stuck in your head. Whilst ‘High Street’ is a moody, melodic story reminiscent of a council estate upbringing.
Cupid Deluxe is bold but quite simply brilliant to say the least and a nod from the Mercury Prize panel may even come calling next year. Hynes’ production keeps going from strength to strength and this album will almost certain feature on Top Albums of 2013 list.
