Blood Orange - Angel's Pulse

Released digitally in July 2019 and on physical formats later that year, Angel’s Pulse is a 14-track mixtape from Devonté Hynes, better known as Blood Orange. Acting as something of an "epilogue" or a "diary entry" following his critically acclaimed 2018 album Negro Swan, this collection finds Hynes at his most experimental and free. Where Negro Swan was a polished, conceptual exploration of black depression and queer anxiety, Angel’s Pulse is a "low-key" offering—messy, mesmerising, and brilliant, blurring the lines between screwy Southern rap, gospel, and indie-R&B.

The mixtape is a masterclass in collaboration, featuring a wide-ranging cast of Hynes’ creative peers. From the soothing, soulful vocals of Toro y Moi on "Dark & Handsome" to the haunting gospel vibrations of "Birmingham" (featuring Kelsey Lu and Ian Isiah), the project is a testament to Hynes’ ability to unify different musical worlds. It moves from the heavy-hitting, Three 6 Mafia-inspired bounce of "Gold Teeth" (featuring Project Pat, Gangsta Boo, and Tinashe) to the ethereal, cello-driven stillness of "Baby Florence (Figure)." Throughout the record, Hynes remains the central architect, playing nearly every instrument and producing the sessions at Electric Lady Studios.

This vinyl release on Domino Recording Co. restores the mixtape to its rightful place in the Blood Orange catalog. Housed in a jacket featuring photography by Flurina Rothenberger, the pressing captures the "punchy, clear, and balanced" sound of a producer who has become one of the most vital voices of his generation. It is a record that exists not just for consumption, but for interaction—a timeless ride into the psyche of a modern visionary.