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Key Information

Devonté Hynes (born David Joseph Michael Hynes,[5] 23 December 1985), also known as Blood Orange and formerly Lightspeed Champion, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and director based in New York City. From 2004 to 2006, Hynes was a member of the band Test Icicles, playing guitar, synth, and occasionally performing vocals. They released one full-length album in 2005. Hynes went on to release two solo studio albums as Lightspeed Champion, and subsequently five more as Blood Orange, between 2008 and 2025.

He has written, played or produced for and with artists such as Tinashe, Solange Knowles, Connan Mockasin, Tei Shi, Sky Ferreira, FKA Twigs, Britney Spears, Haim, Caroline Polachek, Florence and the Machine, Carly Rae Jepsen, the Chemical Brothers, Kylie Minogue, Lorde, A$AP Rocky, Mac Miller, Blondie, Jazmine Sullivan, Sugababes, Turnstile, Mariah Carey, and Daniel Caesar.[6]

Early life

[edit]

Dev Hynes was born in Ilford, in the Redbridge Borough of East London, to a Guyanese mother and a Sierra Leone Creole father.[7] He was educated at the Chadwell Heath Foundation School, now known as Chadwell Heath Academy. From their formation in 2004 until their break-up in 2006, Hynes was a member of the dance-punk band Test Icicles, playing guitar, synth, and occasionally performing vocals. They released one full-length album, For Screening Purposes Only, in 2005. Hynes relocated to New York City in 2007 where he resides.[8] Hynes is a supporter of North London football team Tottenham Hotspur.[9]

Solo work

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Lightspeed Champion

[edit]

In early 2007, Hynes, under the name Lightspeed Champion, recorded his debut album in Omaha, Nebraska, with Saddle Creek producer Mike Mogis. A number of Omaha-based musicians appeared on the record, including Mogis himself, trumpet player and pianist Nate Walcott, the Faint's drummer Clark Baechle and guest vocalist Emmy the Great, along with moonlighting members of Cursive and Tilly and the Wall.[10] These recording sessions resulted in the single "Galaxy of the Lost", released on 30 July 2007, and the album Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, released on 21 January 2008.[11] The name 'Lightspeed Champion' comes from a series of comic strips Hynes drew as a teenager in his school mathematics books.[12]

The touring band for the Falling Off the Lavender Bridge album at various points consisted of friends of Hynes' from other bands, including Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine and Emmy the Great. Mike Siddell, formerly of Hope of the States, played violin with the band. Anna Prior, formerly of Leeds bands Dead Disco and the Ivories, played drums for most of the tour. Other guest members to have contributed in live shows include Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Faris Badwan of the Horrors, Frederick Blood-Royale of Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man,[13] Jack Peñate and Eugene McGuinness as well as We Are Scientists' Keith Murray on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on 6 June 2008.

Backed by a full band, Hynes appeared at the NME 2008 Awards, broadcast on Channel 4 on 29 February 2008, dressed as characters from Star Wars, including Princess Leia on the drums. The band's affinity with Star Wars continued when they played the main theme to the trilogy at the Wireless Festival in 2008.[14] Hynes and a violinist Mike Siddell began a short US tour in March 2008, ending with an appearance at SXSW in 2008. At SXSW, they befriended the Wombats, who supported them at a Royal Albert Hall concert. Hynes also performed with We Are Scientists at the Glastonbury in 2008 (John Peel Stage)[15] and appeared at Belgian music festival Pukkelpop in August 2008.[citation needed]

By the end of what became a two-year touring period, Hynes had suffered severe damage to his throat, and had to undergo extensive surgery.[16] He took a two and a half-year hiatus from touring, appearing occasionally to play shows in New York and a top billed slot at the Carling Festival in 2009. In December 2008, Hynes was asked on behalf of the British Film Institute to perform the soundtrack of the cult Hal Ashby film Harold and Maude after a screening of the performance. Hynes had to cancel this due to an operation he had to undergo on his throat. The event was rescheduled for May 2009. In July 2009 Hynes reprised the soundtrack and performed at Latitude Festival. In June 2009, Hynes performed at the Barbican Centre in London in commemoration of the composer Moondog, singing renditions along with London Saxophonic of songs from the Moondog album Sax Pax for a Sax. He also sang "Fujiyama Part 2" backed by the Britten Sinfonia. In April 2010, Hynes returned to the Barbican to perform with the Triffids for a special concert in honour of their singer David McComb along with Warren Ellis, Tindersticks and members of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. He returned for a two-week European tour in June 2010.

Hynes has recorded a number of bootlegs and unofficial releases, made available to the public through his blog and MySpace.[17] These include an album written and recorded entirely in a day and an EP consisting of covers of Green Day songs. The second Lightspeed Champion album, Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, was released in 2010. Hynes retired the project to focus fully on his Blood Orange project.

Blood Orange

[edit]
Hynes performing as Blood Orange in 2011

With Lightspeed Champion on effective hiatus, Hynes decided to concentrate on a new musical project more focused on R&B and electronica, called Blood Orange. Various live performances under this alias took place in New York and London within November and December 2009, consisting of Hynes, a guitar, and a laptop. On 17 December 2009, Hynes performed a song titled "Forget It" on the final It's On with Alexa Chung show on MTV. He performed to a backing track dressed in a wizard costume.

Hynes' debut single under the moniker Blood Orange, "Dinner", was released in January 2011 on Terrible Records, with an accompanying video directed by Alan Del Rio that debuted on Pitchfork TV. Following this, his full-length record Coastal Grooves was released in August 2011 on Domino Records.[18] The song "Sutphin Boulevard" was featured on the 17 January 2011 premiere episode of the MTV show Skins.[19] On 9 April 2012, Hynes embarked on a tour as Blood Orange opening for Florence and the Machine.

In November 2013, Hynes released the second Blood Orange album, Cupid Deluxe. The album features guest appearances, including performances from David Longstreth (of Dirty Projectors), Caroline Polachek (of Chairlift), Samantha Urbani (of Friends), Clams Casino, Despot, Kindness, Skepta and more. The album was promoted by three singles: "Chamakay", "You're Not Good Enough" and "Uncle ACE". The album was streamed in full on Hynes' own YouTube channel on 5 November 2013.[20] The album also includes a cover of "I Can Only Disappoint U", originally by the British rock group Mansun under the title "Always Let You Down". In November, Blood Orange appeared on the cover of The Fader in its 89th issue.[21] Hynes scored the 2013 film Palo Alto, directed by Gia Coppola.[22]

On 8 January 2014, it was announced that Blood Orange was on the line-up for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. In November 2015, Hynes released a collaborative EP with New Zealand psychedelic pop artist Connan Mockasin titled Myths 001: Collaborative Recordings Captured in Marfa, TX 9–16 March 2015.[23]

On 18 April 2016, Hynes announced his third record under the Blood Orange moniker would be entitled Freetown Sound.[24] It was released on 28 June 2016, three days ahead of the planned 1 July 2016 release.[25] His album Freetown Sound was shortlisted by IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association) for the Album of the Year Award 2016, which rewards on a yearly basis the best album released on an independent European label.[26]

On 19 July 2018, he announced his fourth studio album under the Blood Orange moniker, Negro Swan, and released in the following week its first two singles: "Charcoal Baby" and "Jewelry".[27][28] The album was released on 24 August 2018.[29]

On 25 June 2019, Hynes announced his fifth release under the Blood Orange moniker in an interview with Cultured Magazine.[30] The mixtape, titled Angel's Pulse, was released on 12 July 2019.[31]

In 2022, Hynes performed alongside Liam Benzvi on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Benzvi, Tariq Al-Sabir, Eva Tolkin, and Ian Isiah at Madison Square Garden as part of Harry Styles' Love On Tour.[32]

In September 2022, it was announced Hynes had signed to RCA Records.[33]

On June 26, 2025 Hynes released "The Field" (which features an interpolation of Durutti Column's track "Sing To Me"),[34] the lead single for his fifth studio album, Essex Honey, announced on July 17, 2025.[35] That same day, he also released the dual single, "Somewhere in Between" and "Mind Loaded".[36] The album's final single, "Countryside", was released on 27 August 2025, and the album itself was released on 29 August 2025.[37] In support of Essex Honey, Hynes will embark on a North American and European tour during the autumn of 2025, including serving as a support act on both Lorde and Turnstile's respective tours, the Ultrasound World Tour and the Never Enough Tour.[38]

Writing and producing for other artists

[edit]
See also: Dev Hynes discography § Production, features, and writing discography

Hynes has written and contributed songs to a number of other acts. His arrangements and vocals have appeared on songs by the Chemical Brothers ("All Rights Reversed", from 2007's Grammy Award winning album We Are the Night), and Basement Jaxx, on their album Scars.

Hynes has co-written and produced songs for Diana Vickers on Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, another No. 1 debutante on the UK Albums Chart. He has also produced and written songs for Theophilus London, including his second album, Vibes, released in 2014, and the 2011 EP, Lovers Holiday, which he also featured on.[citation needed]

Hynes contributed music to the 2010 film MacGruber, including the duet "Rock My Body" with Saturday Night Live cast member Kristen Wiig. In late 2011, he produced Australian noise pop duo Bleeding Knees Club's debut album Nothing to Do, which was released on 2 March 2012. He co-wrote and co-produced Solange Knowles' 2012 EP True.

Hynes has co-written the song "Everything Is Embarrassing" for Sky Ferreira. He worked with Britney Spears on her eighth album, Britney Jean; however, none of his songs made the final cut.[39]

He co-wrote and co-produced Kylie Minogue's song "Crystallize", a charity single for One Note Against Cancer.[citation needed]

Hynes co-wrote and produced "All That" with Carly Rae Jepsen for her album Emotion, and also co-wrote "Body Language" for her EP Emotion: Side B.

He co-wrote two songs on Spector's second album, Moth Boys, "Cocktail Party / Heads Interlude" and "Decade of Decay". Hynes also co-wrote "Difficult Phone Call", a track on the extended version of the album. Hynes was also one of the producers on the album.

Hynes produced and was featured on "Hun43rd" by ASAP Rocky, from Rocky's third studio album, Testing.[40]

He was also featured on Self Care by Mac Miller, off of Mac's album Swimming.

Hynes and collaborator Ian Isiah co-created and performed an adaptation of "Grateful" by gospel singer Hezekiah Walker for a fashion show by New York-based designer Telfar Clemens.[41]

Hynes co-wrote Blondie's single "Long Time" with Deborah Harry, which was included on the band's eleventh album Pollinator. It was released as its second single and reached the #5 on the Billboard's Hot Dance Chart and #19 on the Adult Alternative Songs.

In 2021, he was also featured on "Alien Love Call", a single by Turnstile. [42]

In 2024, Orange collaborated with Nathy Peluso on the single "El Día Que Me Perdí Mi Juventud" from Peluso's album Grasa.[43]

In 2024, Hynes composed music for the Broadway production of Job.[44]

In 2025, Hynes wrote two songs for Daniel Caesar's album Son of Spergy. "Touching God", which he featured in and "Baby Blue."

Classical music and scores

[edit]

Hynes has collaborated several times with composer Philip Glass, performing his piano Etudes for radio, at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.[45][46]

Hynes has written scores for art pieces and film in collaboration with Alex Da Corte, Josh Kline & the Palo Alto score for the movie of the same name by Gia Coppola.[47]

A special performance of Eastern Sports was performed at ICA Philadelphia in 2015[48] and at the Whitney Museum of Art in 2017.[49]

Two performances of the Palo Alto score took place in 2016.[50]

In 2019, Hynes composed the score for the film Queen & Slim, as well as a series of works for Third Coast Percussion which were released on the album Fields,[51] which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.[52]

In 2022, he composed a symphonic piece for Naked Blue, a 17-minute film directed by Mati Diop and Manon Lutanie.[53]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Dev Hynes discography

As Blood Orange

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Studio albums
Mixtapes & EPs

As Lightspeed Champion

[edit]

As Devonté Hynes

[edit]
Mixtapes & EPs
Soundtracks

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dev Hynes

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from Grokipedia
Devonté Hynes (born David Joseph Michael Hynes, 23 December 1985) is an English , , , and director best known by his stage name . Born and raised in to Guyanese and Sierra Leonean immigrant parents, Hynes began his music career in the mid-2000s as a member of the nu-rave band before releasing two orchestral acoustic pop albums under the alias Lightspeed Champion. As Blood Orange, Hynes has released six critically acclaimed albums—Coastal Grooves (2011), Cupid Deluxe (2013), (2016), (2018), Angel's Pulse (2019), and Essex Honey (2025)—blending elements of R&B, electronic, pop, and hip-hop to explore themes of , vulnerability, queerness, race, and modern isolation. His songwriting and production have extended to collaborations with artists including Solange (on her album A Seat at the Table), (on LP1), , and , earning him recognition as a versatile musical polymath based in . Beyond recording, Hynes has composed scores for films such as Palo Alto (2013) and (2019), the latter released as a 20-track soundtrack in 2020, and ventured into with the 2020 album Fields alongside the Third Coast Percussion ensemble, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance in 2021. In 2024, he won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Song for co-writing "El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud" with . Hynes's work often draws from personal experiences of identity and dispossession, providing solace and energy to audiences while influencing , , and .

Early years

Upbringing

Devonté Hynes was born on December 23, 1985, in , , and raised in , , to immigrant parents of Guyanese and Sierra Leonean descent. His mother worked as a health visitor nurse, providing care to elderly and underserved individuals, while his father was employed at . Raised primarily in and the surrounding area, a predominantly white suburb, Hynes navigated significant challenges as a mixed-race , including frequent that highlighted issues of racial and . These early experiences fostered a sense of otherness that profoundly shaped Hynes' worldview and creative path. To cope, he developed a self-taught interest in Black history during his youth, finding solace in its narratives amid feelings of isolation. Music also emerged as an outlet, influenced by the diverse sounds in his household, though formal training was limited; Hynes later recalled beginning to explore instruments like piano and cello around age seven. In his late teens, Hynes channeled frustrations from his upbringing into punk influences, leading him to co-found the band as a raw expression of rebellion. Seeking broader artistic horizons, he relocated to in 2007 at age 21, arriving without a clear plan but drawn to its vibrant creative scene, where he quickly established roots in .

Test Icicles

Test Icicles formed in 2004 in London when Rory Attwell and Sam Mehran recruited Dev Hynes, then 18, to join their emerging punk and noise-pop project as a third member. The teenage trio quickly gained traction through spirited live performances that showcased their chaotic energy, leading to a signing with Domino Recording Company. Hynes contributed on guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, while the group shared lead vocal duties among its members, with Attwell and Mehran often taking the forefront. Their raw, collaborative approach drew from Hynes' challenging early years, channeling personal frustrations into a high-octane punk ethos. The band's sole album, For Screening Purposes Only, arrived in October 2005 via Domino, capturing their frenetic sound in tracks like the angular "Circle. Square. Triangle." and the abrasive "Hogging the Spotlight." Embracing a nu-rave aesthetic amid London's early 2000s underground scene, blended aggression, synths, and irreverent humor, evoking a dayglo fusion of hardcore and dance elements that defied easy categorization. Critics praised the record's hook-filled chaos and playful edge, with highlighting its "slash-and-burn " intensity akin to Blood Brothers-style vocals over erratic instrumentation. Hynes co-wrote several songs, including "Circle. Square. Triangle.," helping shape the album's noisy, experimental bent that earned early buzz in UK music press like . Following the album's release, toured the extensively, building a with their incendiary, unpredictable shows. However, underlying discord surfaced, as band members later admitted to disliking much of their output and struggling with the project's direction. These internal tensions culminated in the group's abrupt dissolution in February 2006, just months after the album dropped, ending their run after one full-length and a handful of singles. The split, confirmed amid swirling rumors, marked a brief but influential chapter in the nu-rave wave, with Hynes' multifaceted role amplifying the band's media spotlight in outlets like during their short tenure.

Solo projects

Lightspeed Champion

Following the disbandment of the punk band in late 2006, Dev Hynes adopted the Lightspeed Champion moniker to pivot toward acoustic folk-pop, drawing on influences like and for a more introspective sound. Hynes' debut album as Lightspeed Champion, Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, was released in January 2008 on . Recorded in , with producer of Bright Eyes, the album featured lush string arrangements and a blend of country-rock and elements, exemplified by tracks like the melancholic "Galaxy of the Lost," which showcased Hynes' vulnerable songwriting. Critics praised its emotional depth and ornate production, with noting Hynes' transformation into a "florid " emoting over manicured acoustics and strings. The follow-up, Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, arrived in 2010, also via Domino, expanding on the of the debut with classical influences and themes of lost love and restlessness. Recorded with contributions from session musicians including members of the Britten Sinfonia for its sweeping arrangements, the album included tracks like "Marlene" and "All Things Pass Away," blending whimsy with orchestral swells. Reception was mixed but generally positive, with highlighting its likability and potential to position Hynes as a UK counterpart to , though some reviewers critiqued its uneven pacing. To support the albums, Lightspeed Champion toured extensively from 2008 to 2010, including headline shows across the and US, festival appearances at events like and SXSW, and support slots for artists such as Adam Green. Live performances emphasized the project's acoustic intimacy and Hynes' raw vulnerability, earning acclaim for bridging his punk roots with folk tenderness. By 2010, Hynes grew disillusioned with the persona's ornate style and began transitioning away from Lightspeed Champion, releasing limited material like a series of "bootleg" mixtapes before fully retiring the alias to pursue new directions. This marked the end of a phase defined by youthful romance and orchestral experimentation, with no major releases under the name since.

Blood Orange

Blood Orange is the ongoing solo project of Dev Hynes, initiated in 2011 with the release of the mixtape Blood Orange Home Recordings and the debut studio album on . The album blends R&B, , and electronic influences, marking a shift from Hynes' earlier folk-oriented work as Lightspeed Champion toward a more introspective and genre-fluid sound. Subsequent releases expanded this foundation, with Cupid Deluxe (2013) incorporating lush synth-pop arrangements and orchestral elements that echoed Hynes' prior style. Freetown Sound (2016) delved into themes of race, queerness, displacement, and heartbreak, sampling news clips and personal narratives to address Black and queer experiences in contemporary America. Negro Swan (2018) further explored mental health, Black identity, religion, and queerness through collaborative sound collages featuring artists like Puff Daddy and A$AP Rocky. The surprise mixtape Angel's Pulse (2019) adopted a looser, pre-production aesthetic with guest contributions from Tinashe and Toro y Moi, emphasizing emotional rawness over polished structure. In 2025, Hynes returned with Essex Honey, his first full-length Blood Orange album in six years, which confronts grief, homecoming, and subdued introspection amid reflections on an English childhood marked by joy, pain, and musical discovery; the record draws from personal truths through abstract tracks rather than explicit storytelling, following a period of near-retirement from the alias. Hynes has supported these releases with dynamic live performances, including NPR's Tiny Desk Concert in 2019, and numerous self-directed that amplify the project's thematic focus on and life in modern America, such as the 35mm-shot "Hope" (2019) featuring cameos from and , or the serene "Dark & Handsome" (2019) with . Over time, Blood Orange evolved from synth-driven pop to a more experimental and collaborative approach, incorporating diverse guests and sonic textures while earning critical acclaim, including Grammy nominations for related classical compositions like Fields (2021).

Writing and production

For other artists

Following the end of his Lightspeed Champion era around 2010, Dev Hynes transitioned into a prominent role as a songwriter and producer for other artists, beginning with contributions to projects like Florence and the Machine's debut album Lungs in 2009, including co-writing the track "." This marked an early shift toward crafting material that amplified emerging voices in indie and alternative scenes, building on his experience with lush, introspective songcraft. Hynes' signature production style features intricate, lush arrangements layered with falsetto elements and seamless genre-blending across R&B, , and electronic influences, creating emotionally immersive soundscapes that enhance the artist's core identity. His approach prioritizes emotional depth through subtle builds and vulnerable textures, while fostering close collaboration that elevates the performer's vision without overshadowing it—often involving co-writing sessions where he adapts to their narrative and . Among his broader contributions, Hynes co-produced and co-wrote key tracks on Sky Ferreira's debut album (2013), including the breakout single "Everything Is Embarrassing," which fused dreamy synths with raw introspection to help define Ferreira's alt-pop sound. He also provided production on ' debut album LP1 (2014), contributing to its ethereal, experimental R&B framework with atmospheric beats and harmonic subtlety on tracks like "Two Weeks" that underscored twigs' innovative vocal delivery. Further expanding his impact, Hynes co-wrote and co-produced several songs on Solange's critically acclaimed A Seat at the Table (2016), such as "Junie" and "Borderline (An Ode to Self Care)," infusing neo-soul grooves with introspective lyricism that aligned with the album's themes of Black identity and resilience. In 2025, Hynes contributed additional production and co-writing to Daniel Caesar's album Son of Spergy (released October 24, 2025), including credits on tracks like "Root of All Evil," emphasizing soulful melodies and intimate arrangements to complement Caesar's confessional style. Elements of his solo sound, with its blend of falsetto-driven vulnerability and genre fluidity, subtly inform these productions, allowing Hynes to weave personal emotional threads into diverse artistic contexts.

Key collaborations

Dev Hynes has forged several pivotal collaborations that highlight his versatility as a songwriter, producer, and creative partner, often blending R&B, electronic, and indie elements to elevate his collaborators' work. One of his most notable partnerships is with , whom he co-wrote and co-produced multiple tracks for her critically acclaimed 2016 album A Seat at the Table, including the "Cranes in the Sky," which earned a Grammy nomination for in 2018. Their synergy is evident in Hynes' contributions to the album's introspective soul sound, drawing from personal and cultural themes, as detailed in interviews where Solange credited Hynes for helping shape the project's emotional depth. Hynes' full production role on Sky Ferreira's 2013 debut album marked a transformative , where he crafted a raw, synth-driven indie-pop aesthetic that contrasted Ferreira's earlier pop image and helped establish her as a figure in alternative music. The album's production emphasized atmospheric textures and emotional vulnerability, with Hynes handling instrumentation and arrangements that Ferreira described as integral to capturing her artistic evolution. In electronic and experimental realms, Hynes contributed songwriting and production to ' 2014 album LP1, co-creating tracks like "Two Weeks" that fused glitchy electronics with soulful vocals, earning widespread praise for their innovative intimacy. Similarly, his work on Kelela's 2017 album involved co-writing and producing several songs, blending futuristic R&B with house influences to underscore Kelela's vocal prowess and the album's exploration of relational dynamics. Hynes has also featured in co-writes and guest appearances with artists such as on her 2014 track "" from Aquarius, where he provided vocals and co-writing. As of November 2025, Hynes's collaborative approach often extends beyond music, as seen in directing videos for partners like Solange and featuring on tracks to mutually inspire growth, fostering a network of artists who value his boundary-pushing ethos. In 2024, he co-wrote "El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud" with , earning a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Song.

Compositions and scores

Classical music

Dev Hynes developed an early interest in classical music during his childhood in , , where he demonstrated a particular appreciation for composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, though he later explored broader genres. This foundation influenced his transition toward formal classical composition in the late 2010s, marking a departure from the pop structures of his earlier work as and Lightspeed Champion. Hynes' debut in classical composition came with the 2019 album Fields, a collaboration with the Grammy-winning Third Coast Percussion ensemble, featuring world-premiere recordings of three original works: Fields, Perfectly Voiceless, and Attachment. The album blends minimalist influences reminiscent of with emotive, repetitive string-like textures adapted for percussion, exploring themes of introspection and emotional resonance without vocal elements. Fields received a Grammy nomination for Best /Small Ensemble Performance in 2021, highlighting Hynes' ability to fuse contemporary classical techniques with personal narrative. Subsequent commissions expanded Hynes' orchestral portfolio, including works for major ensembles. In 2022, the performed selections from his catalog at The Ford, showcasing pieces that integrate classical and R&B sensibilities. The premiered new compositions in 2023 at the , including Naked Blue and Untitled III, which delve into 21st-century complexities like identity and vulnerability through discordant yet gravitational orchestration. That same year, Hynes was commissioned by the for Naked Blue, a premiered in collaboration with filmmakers and Manon Lutanie as part of the Sun Dogs program. Hynes' classical output continued to evolve through dedicated releases and live integrations. Morning Piece (2023), composed for two pianos and premiered with pianist Adam Tendler, was submitted for Grammy consideration in Best Classical Instrumental Solo for 2026. Hynes' pieces such as The Long Ride II for two pianos appear on Adam Tendler's 2024 album Inheritances and were performed by major orchestras such as the during Vivid LIVE in May 2024. These works and performances, up to 2025, demonstrate Hynes' range as a , prioritizing abstract, concert-hall explorations of human experience.

Film, TV, and theater

Dev Hynes has composed original scores for several films, blending electronic, classical, and ambient elements to enhance narrative tension and emotional depth. His debut score was for Gia Coppola's Palo Alto (2014), where he crafted a subtle, introspective featuring piano and strings that underscored the film's exploration of adolescent angst in suburban . In 2016, Hynes scored , a thriller directed by and , using pulsating synths and rhythmic percussion to mirror the high-stakes digital game at the story's core. Hynes' work expanded into more prominent projects with the score for Melina Matsoukas' Queen & Slim (2019), a 20-track album of ambient and orchestral pieces that evoke the road trip's urgency and intimacy through layered strings and minimalistic motifs. He continued this trajectory with scores for Passing (2021), Rebecca Hall's adaptation of Nella Larsen's novel, where his compositions incorporated jazz-inflected piano to highlight themes of racial identity and deception. For Gia Coppola's Mainstream (2021), Hynes delivered a blending indie electronic sounds with acoustic elements to satirize fame. In 2023, he scored Paul Schrader's Master Gardener, employing sparse, brooding instrumentation to amplify the film's elements. On television, Hynes composed the score for Luca Guadagnino's HBO miniseries We Are Who We Are (2020), featuring 12 piano-driven tracks with airy synths that immerse viewers in the protagonists' coming-of-age experiences in an Italian military base. His contributions extended to the HBO series In Treatment (2021), where he provided a minimalist score emphasizing emotional introspection through subtle piano and ambient textures. In theater, Hynes made his Broadway debut composing original music for Max Wolf Friedlich's play Job (2024), which ran at the Hayes Theater from July to October; his score integrated atmospheric sounds to heighten the production's thriller elements around technology and isolation. Beyond scoring, Hynes has directed music videos and short films that extend his multimedia approach, often blurring lines between music and visual storytelling. He co-directed the 2017 short film With Him, incorporating tracks from his album Freetown Sound to explore themes of love and loss in a narrative format. In 2015, Hynes directed God Bless The Child, a dance-infused short that showcases his choreographic vision alongside original music. More recently, he self-directed the video for "The Field" from his 2025 album Essex Honey, depicting a DIY festival scene to complement the song's themes of escapism. These works demonstrate Hynes' evolution toward immersive, narrative-driven soundscapes in visual media.

Discography

As Lightspeed Champion

Lightspeed Champion's debut studio album, Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, was released in 2008 by and features 12 tracks blending and indie elements. The album peaked at number 45 on the . Key tracks include "Galaxy of the Lost," a country-rock influenced song, and "Let Me Know," which exemplifies the project's shift toward acoustic introspection following Hynes's time in the more energetic . The second and final studio album under the Lightspeed Champion moniker, Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You, arrived in 2010, also via Domino, comprising 13 tracks with a broader orchestral scope incorporating and experimental flourishes. Notable inclusions are "All Things Pass into the Night," a poignant closer, and "Mueller," highlighting the album's narrative depth. In addition to the albums, Lightspeed Champion issued several singles in 2008, such as "Let Me Know" and "Mueller," though neither achieved significant chart placement. Limited-edition releases included the Galaxy Sessions EP in 2008, a four-track live recording capturing early performances. No further material has been released under this name since 2010.

As Blood Orange

Under the Blood Orange moniker, Dev Hynes has released a series of critically acclaimed albums and mixtapes blending alternative R&B, synth-pop, and electronic elements, often exploring themes of identity, race, sexuality, and personal loss. His work as Blood Orange, beginning in 2011, marks a shift from his earlier indie folk style, emphasizing lush production, guest collaborations, and introspective lyrics. Hynes' debut mixtape, Blood Orange Home Recordings Mixtape, was released on May 23, 2011, as a compilation of home demos mixed by DJ Exotica Sage, featuring tracks like "Get Fresh" and "Sex Cray" that showcase early electronic and synth influences. This self-released project, available via Bandcamp and SoundCloud, served as an introduction to the Blood Orange sound, blending new wave and darkwave aesthetics. The debut studio album, , followed on August 30, 2011, through , comprising 10 tracks including the single "Sutphin Boulevard," which highlights Hynes' and nostalgic grooves. Recorded primarily in New York, the album draws from '80s R&B and , earning praise for its intimate, bedroom-pop vibe. , released on November 18, 2013, also via Domino, expanded the sonic palette with orchestral elements and features from artists like ' on "By Myself." The 10-track album delves into themes of and vulnerability, receiving widespread acclaim for its sophisticated arrangements and emotional depth. Hynes' third album, , arrived unexpectedly on June 28, 2016, through Domino, featuring 17 tracks interspersed with spoken-word samples addressing black identity and migration. Singles like "Augustine" underscore its political edge, and the record peaked at number 16 on Billboard's chart. Critics lauded its thematic depth and collage-like structure, with awarding it a 9.1/10 for blending with . Negro Swan, the fourth studio album, was released on August 24, 2018, via Domino, incorporating collaborations with Puff Daddy, , and across 13 tracks. The single "Charcoal Baby," released July 26, 2018, exemplifies its exploration of black experience and , peaking at number 64 on the . It garnered strong reviews for its lush, melancholic production and vulnerability. Angel's Pulse, issued as a surprise on July 12, 2019, through Domino, includes 14 tracks with guests like and , blending neo-soul and . Though initially digital-only, a vinyl edition followed in October 2019, praised for its breezy yet poignant intimacy as a companion to . Hynes' fifth , Essex Honey, was released on August 29, 2025, via RCA Records under license from Domino, featuring 14 tracks that navigate grief, childhood memories, and Essex roots through eclectic styles like and . The lead single "The Field," released June 26, 2025, sets a tone of reflective mourning, with the peaking at number 69 on the UK Albums Chart. Reviews highlight its elegant emotional core and cameos from and .
ReleaseTypeDateLabelKey Tracks/Singles
Blood Orange Home Recordings MixtapeMixtapeMay 23, 2011Self-released"Get Fresh," "Sex Cray"
Coastal GroovesStudio AlbumAugust 30, 2011Domino"Sutphin Boulevard," "Champagne Coast"
cupid deluxeStudio AlbumNovember 18, 2013Domino"You're Not Good Enough," "It Is What It Is"
Freetown SoundStudio AlbumJune 28, 2016Domino"Augustine," "Best to You" (feat. Empress Of)
Negro SwanStudio AlbumAugust 24, 2018Domino"Charcoal Baby," "Jewelry" (feat. XO)
Angel's PulseMixtapeJuly 12, 2019Domino"Dark & Handsome" (feat. Toro y Moi), "I Wanna C U"
Essex HoneyStudio AlbumAugust 29, 2025RCA/Domino"The Field," "Somewhere in Between"

As Dev Hynes

Devonté Hynes, performing and releasing under his outside of his established personas, has focused primarily on film and television scores, collaborative EPs, and classical compositions, often emphasizing and atmospheric elements. His earliest known recordings under this name emerged in the mid-2010s, following the dissolution of his prior projects, with a shift toward cinematic and experimental soundscapes that highlight his versatility as a . In 2014, Hynes composed and released the original motion picture score for Gia Coppola's Palo Alto, a 13-track collection of hazy, synth-driven instrumentals that blend electronic textures with subtle R&B influences to underscore the 's themes of youthful introspection and suburban unease. Issued by , the score features tracks like "Palo Alto" and "April's Daydream," marking Hynes' debut in scoring and earning praise for its immersive, dreamy quality. The following year, Hynes collaborated with musician on the EP Myths 001, recorded during the 2015 Marfa Myths festival in . Released by , this three-track project—comprising "La Fat Fur," "Feelin' Lovely," and "Big Distant Crush"—merges Mockasin's lo-fi with Hynes' funk-inflected production, creating a laid-back, romantic sound that reflects their mutual admiration for vaporous, . The EP was written and produced jointly, capturing improvisational sessions that preceded their live performance. Hynes ventured into classical composition with Fields (2019), a collaborative album with the ensemble Third Coast Percussion, released by Cedille Records. This 13-track work includes three premiere pieces—"For All Its Fury," "Fields," and "Perfectly Voiceless"—performed on percussion with Hynes contributing synthesizers, representing his first foray into purely instrumental, non-vocal and drawing influences from minimalist traditions while maintaining his signature emotive layering. The album received acclaim for bridging contemporary classical and electronic realms, with "Perfectly Voiceless" later featured on Third Coast Percussion's 2021 Grammy-nominated release Perspective. These pieces tie briefly to Hynes' broader interest in orchestral forms. Subsequent scores under his real name include the 20-track Queen & Slim (Original Motion Picture Score) (2019) for ' film, again via Domino, featuring orchestral elements like strings and woodwinds to evoke tension and intimacy in a narrative of love and flight. In , Hynes provided the 16-track original series score for Luca Guadagnino's miniseries , released by , with piano-driven tracks such as "The Long Ride II" and "Let Yourself Go I" that immerse viewers in the story's themes of and identity through airy synths and vibrant compositions. Hynes has also contributed to miscellaneous projects, including and compilation appearances, though most are credited under aliases; notable unbranded outputs remain sparse, with no major readings or standalone instrumental singles released as of 2025 beyond his scoring work. His directorial credits extend to , such as those for his own compositions, but these are typically tied to his stage names.

References

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  2. https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/dev-hynes-lecture/
  3. https://tisch.nyu.edu/clive-davis-institute/people0/residencies-1/devonte-hynes
  4. https://www.dominomusic.com/artists/blood-orange
  5. https://www.npr.org/2025/08/29/nx-s1-5432827/dev-hynes-new-blood-orange-album-essex-honey-explores-grief-and-growing-up
  6. https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/68509/1/12-times-you-didnt-know-you-were-listening-to-blood-orange
  7. https://www.grammy.com/artists/devonte-hynes/287301
  8. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/latin-grammys-2024-winners-complete-list-1235166299/
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/23/magazine/dev-hynes-blood-orange-music.html
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/oct/24/blood-orange-on-coming-home-to-essex-st-george-flags-singing-zadie-smith
  11. https://www.fantasticman.com/articles/blood-orange/
  12. https://www.npr.org/2016/06/30/483855131/dev-hynes-on-taking-time-with-his-music-i-want-it-to-be-the-most-me
  13. https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/07/05/484773822/dev-hynes-wants-to-know-what-it-feels-like-to-be-free
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  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/3045488-Blood-Orange-Blood-Orange-Home-Recordings-Mixtape
  39. https://pitchfork.com/artists/29639-blood-orange/
  40. https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LEeAFiJF8OuPx747e1wxR
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  43. https://pitchfork.com/features/song-by-song/blood-oranges-dev-hynes-breaks-down-every-song-on-his-new-album-negro-swan/
  44. https://pitchfork.com/news/7-albums-out-today-you-should-listen-to-now-blood-orange-interpol-devon-welsh-more/
  45. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/blood-orange-angels-pulse/
  46. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/blood-orange-essex-honey/
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  51. https://pitchfork.com/news/blood-orange-announces-new-classical-music-album-fields/
  52. https://grammy.com/artists/devonte-hynes/287301
  53. https://www.clashmusic.com/features/dev-hynes-10-best-co-writes-contributions/
  54. https://www.stereogum.com/2240391/sky-ferreira-night-time-my-time-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/
  55. https://consequence.net/2014/08/stream-fka-twigs-debut-album-lp1/
  56. https://pitchfork.com/news/68598-listen-to-solanges-new-album-a-seat-at-the-table/
  57. https://www.discogs.com/release/35474578-Daniel-Caesar-Son-Of-Spergy
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  60. https://www.npr.org/2021/03/12/976480076/play-it-forward-devonte-hynes-grammys-surprise-and-biggest-inspirations
  61. https://www.cedillerecords.org/albums/fields/
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  63. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/19/devonte-hynes-review-london-symphony-orchestra
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  65. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPrLCpUjCvc/
  66. https://issuu.com/masseyhallroythomsonhall/docs/devhynes_programme_digita_2024_3_1_
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  88. https://blood-orange.bandcamp.com/album/blood-orange-home-recordings-mixtape
  89. https://www.discogs.com/master/364884-Blood-Orange-Coastal-Grooves
  90. https://www.discogs.com/master/620408-Blood-Orange-Cupid-Deluxe
  91. https://www.billboard.com/artist/blood-orange/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/
  92. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22052-blood-orange-freetown-sound/
  93. https://www.dominomusic.com/news/us/blood-orange-announces-negro-swan
  94. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25118/blood-orange/
  95. https://www.dominomusic.com/news/uk/blood-orange-announces-angels-pulse
  96. https://music.apple.com/us/album/essex-honey/1825903903
  97. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/blood-orange-essex-honey/
  98. https://www.dominomusic.com/releases/blood-orange/palo-alto-original-motion-picture-score/cd
  99. https://www.northerntransmissions.com/devonte-hynes-score-gia-coppolas-palo-alto/
  100. https://mexicansummer.bandcamp.com/album/myths-001
  101. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21267-myths-001-collaborative-recordings/
  102. https://thirdcoastpercussion.com/music/albums/fields/
  103. https://www.dominomusic.com/releases/blood-orange/queen-slim-original-motion-picture-score/lp
  104. https://imvdb.com/n/devonte-hynes/videography-by-position/dir
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