Soundtrack to 2014 - Cupid Deluxe

It's April and the scent of a season is being welcomed by the senses. (Until hayfever kicks in) A mere four months into 2014 and already I have my standout contender for my soundtrack to the year, which comes courtesy of Devante Hynes. Otherwise known by his current musical moniker of Blood Orange and prior to that Lightspeed champion. (These musical folk, I don't know...) Anyway, at TCC we all loved, and love Solange Knowles brilliant EP, True. The mesmeric song Losing you almost being an anthem for us. And the video (you really should see it) was and is a magnificent visual bonanza of colour and stylish vibrancy.

 

Well on first listening to that EP and eagerly awaiting Solange's ever pending album my attentions were eventually turned to the producer/singer of it who quite literally has made my wait much easier to bare. Very easy in fact. On hearing the musical arrangement and overal vibe of True. The running theme was one that sounded so nostalgic yet strangely fresh. A sort of oxymoron but it really does encompass both things. Having listened to Blood Orange and his album, Cupid Deluxe it was distinctly reminiscent of True. Baring all of the production hallmarks of a super talented artist/producer/writer who by the looks and sound of it is helping to shape Solange's new musical direction . Listening to Blood Orange's music just makes you think that he is the overwhelming brains behind the operation. Of course Solange is a talented artist in her own right - but on enlisting Devante Hynes and rumoured Pharell Williams these  two, perhaps more so Hynes are now potentially propelling her into a whole new league of artistry and finally out of the shadow of her big sister, Beyoncé.

So right now, Devante's music, must notably Cupid Deluxe is probably my favourite go-to album. It's a moreish as   a Jacobs cream cracker - and for me it's just one of those albums that instantly grab you, especially if you happen to like artists such as Frank Ocean or Jessie Boykins for example. It goes without saying that we all have those albums that on hearing we just love. Joshua, just recently with Black Radio 2. Abdi with Dolly Parton's greatest hits, and I similarly recall David waxing lyrical about discovering an old Wham album in his parents home. To me everybody has that favourite album they can listen to over and over again. Cupid Deluxe has set this years benchmark for me, time will tell if it can be toppled. 

Demola, TCC