Blood Orange Unveils ‘Essex Honey’ Album with New Tracks Featuring Lorde and More

Get ready for Blood Orange’s ‘Essex Honey’—a heartfelt album featuring Lorde, Brendan Yates, Zadie Smith, and others with fresh new songs to vibe to.

Introducing Blood Orange’s Latest Album: Essex Honey

Blood Orange, the artistic persona of Dev Hynes, has just announced his upcoming album, Essex Honey, and dropped the first two tracks you don’t want to miss. This release marks his first album since the critically acclaimed Negro Swan in 2018. The album promises a rich lineup of collaborations, including familiar names like Lorde, Caroline Polachek, Daniel Caesar, and Mustafa, plus contributions from Turnstile’s Brendan Yates and Tariq Al-Sabir.

Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, is back with fresh sounds.

A Star-Studded Roster of Collaborators

Essex Honey goes beyond just music—this project shines with a diverse cast. Accompanying Blood Orange are:

• Author Zadie Smith
• The Durutti Column
• Kelly Zutrau from Wet
• Tirzah
• Actors Naomi Scott and Amandla Stenberg

The album drops August 29 via RCA Records and is available for pre-order here.

First Tracks: ‘Mind Loaded’ and ‘Somewhere In Between’

The initial taste of the album comes through two striking songs.

• “Mind Loaded” features minimalist, warm vibes highlighted by vocals from Polachek, Lorde, and Mustafa.
• “Somewhere In Between” brings a busier, sultry R&B groove that’s irresistibly smooth.

Feel the vibe yourself:

A Dreamscape Born of Grief and Memories

The album reflects a deeply personal journey. A press release describes Essex Honey as being “created from a dreamscape of his journey working through grief,” while also paying homage to his childhood in Essex County. It’s an introspective work wrapped in shimmering sounds and emotional layers.

Upcoming Tours: Catch Blood Orange Live

Blood Orange fans will be thrilled to hear about his 2025 UK and European tour. The concerts kick off in Berlin on October 29, followed by three London shows on November 8, 9, and 10. For a full list of dates and tickets:

• UK tickets available here
• International tickets available here

Before the European leg, Dev Hynes will also be on the road in the US, opening for Lorde on her massive tour supporting her new album Virgin—which Hynes co-produced several tracks on. His musical fingerprints are all over songs like “Man Of The Year” and “Favourite Daughter,” with contributions on cello, bass, synths, and guitar.

Dev Hynes: A Producer Powerhouse

Beyond his own work, Hynes is a sought-after producer in the alternative music scene. Recently, he lent his talents to The Charlatans’ upcoming album We Are Love. This summer, he also featured on Turnstile’s track “Seein’ Stars” from the album Never Enough, providing backing vocals and cello on multiple songs.

“At times, ‘Negro Swan’ crosses over from album and into a radio station from a world just outside ours; Dev Hynes has created a fabulous collection of cascading sounds.”

— From the 2018 review of Negro Swan

Why Essex Honey is Worth the Wait

With Essex Honey, Blood Orange delivers an album bursting with emotional depth and collaborative brilliance. Whether you’re drawn in by the haunting warmth of “Mind Loaded” or the slick R&B pulse of “Somewhere In Between,” this album invites listeners into a dreamlike sonic world shaped by grief, memory, and resilience.

What’s your favorite Blood Orange collaboration so far? Are you excited to hear more from Essex Honey or see Dev Hynes live on tour?

• When is Blood Orange’s ‘Essex Honey’ releasing?
  The album releases on August 29, 2025.
• Which artists feature on the album?
  Collaborators include Lorde, Caroline Polachek, Daniel Caesar, Mustafa, Brendan Yates, Zadie Smith, Naomi Scott, and more.
• Where can the first songs from the album be heard?
  The tracks “Mind Loaded” and “Somewhere In Between” are available to stream on YouTube and other platforms.
• Is Blood Orange touring soon?
  Yes, there’s a UK and European tour starting October 29, plus US dates opening for Lorde.
• Has Dev Hynes worked with other artists recently?
  Yes, he’s produced tracks for The Charlatans and contributed to Turnstile’s album Never Enough this year.

Shop your favorite album cover poster and celebrate the sounds of Blood Orange at our store here.