Dev Hynes, better known as Blood Orange, released his fourth album, “Negro Swan,” Aug. 24. This 16-song album is a cultural description of depression and anxiety of homosexuals, specifically for blacks. 

Having inspiration from these dark concepts isn’t new for the singer. In his third studio album, “Freetown Sound,” Hynes sings about race and sexuality. 

This heaviness in topic has put the LP in comparison with other monumental cultural albums like Frank Ocean’s “Blonde” and Lorde’s “Melodrama,” according to Pitchfork Magazine.  

Blood Orange has slightly changed his sound in this new album with a slow tempo and an overall relaxing soulful sound compared to his three other upbeat albums, yet he consistently carries his smooth ‘80s synth sound throughout. 

The album’s first song is “Orlando,” which starts off with the city sounds of traffic, supporting his New York inspiration for the album — other recordings of traffic can be heard in “Minetta Creek” as well. “Orlando” is the most upbeat song and has a great accompaniment with groovy bass sounds that complete the song.  

A distinctive feature of the album is a female narrator who talks about her childhood and family at the beginning and end of every other song. The speaker is named Janet Mock, which is inferred because the song “Family” is simply her talking with a saxophone playing in the background.  

Two songs off the album showcase Blood Orange’s magic in singing and songwriting: his single “Charcoal Baby” — which is considered his most famous song on Spotify — and “Nappy Wonder,” which was named as the best new track by Pitchfork Magazine. 

The smooth piano melodies, jazzy saxophones, flutes, muffled ‘80s-sounding drums and, of course, cowbells all further Dev Hynes’ mastery as a song writer.