Jesus Freak Lighter

Alt-R&B icon Blood Orange finally returns to the scene, after a painfully long wait. Jesus Freak Lighter is his first single since 2020’s CALL ME (Freestyle), featuring Park Hye Jin. 

Being teased with Turnstile and The Avalanches features isn’t quite enough… Dev Hynes’ absence has surely been felt, but he’s back with a new EP, titled ‘Four Songs’, releasing next week. Whilst four songs aren’t enough to tide every fan over, hopefully it’s just be a tease of a new project on the way. ‘Four Songs’ marks the first Blood Orange project since the standout 2019 mixtape Angel’s Pulse, despite releasing five emotive scores, and soundtracks (amongst grammy nominated classical compositions) in that time under Devonté Hynes, for movies such as ‘Queen & Slim’, and shows like ‘We Are Who We Are’. 

Opening with distorted, growling static, the track progresses with a lavish shoegaze sound, with an almost new wave, New Order feel to the instrumental. Dev’s vocals are as whispery, yet poignant as ever, featuring ambiguous, but charming lyrics like ‘Living in my head, photo fantasy’ and ‘Fallen seed, Jesus freak, broken fibre’. Frequent collaborator Ian Isiah’s backing vocals once again add appreciated seasoning and texture to the track, giving it even more of an otherworldly vibe. It’s mellow and ethereal, and a great peak into what’s to come, especially if we get more dreampop/sophisti-pop like this.

The track was written, produced, recorded, and mixed by Dev, and the 80s percussion suggests a throwback to his old albums ‘Cupid Deluxe’ and ‘Freetown Sound’, whilst his vocal performance carries the same energy that made ‘Negro Swan’ and ‘Angel’s Pulse’ so special. Considering ‘Negro Swan’ was my personal favourite album of 2018, the prospect of any new Blood Orange material has me itching with anticipation. 

Here's hoping that the British artist finally returns to the UK for a tour, as it’s been absolutely years…

Listen to the track here.