Blood Orange - Coastal Grooves

Released in 2011, Coastal Grooves marks the debut of Devonté Hynes’ transformation into Blood Orange. After years spent exploring post-punk with Test Icicles and indie-folk as Lightspeed Champion, Hynes moved to New York City and birthed a project that serves as the "music of a seedy yet inspirational New York night time." Composed in his bedroom and refined in Los Angeles with producer Ariel Rechtshaid, the album is a sleek, seductive fusion of 80s new wave, synth-pop, and alternative R&B.

The record is a minimalist masterclass in mood, drawing inspiration from the "neon atmosphere" of 80s icons like Chris Isaak and Billy Idol, as well as the identity-blurring work of transgender icons such as Octavia St. Laurent (captured in the documentary Paris Is Burning). From the sultry guitar slink of "Sutphin Boulevard" to the haunting, Western-style riffs of "Can We Go Inside Now?" and the infectious, lo-fi disco of "Champagne Coast," Hynes crafts a soundscape that feels like a solitary journey through shadowy city streets. His breathy, vulnerable vocals weave tales of urban loneliness and desire, creating an album that is both "fashionably slick and altogether heartbreaking."

This vinyl release from Domino Recording Co. presents the album on a single LP, capturing the airy, bass-heavy production and "icy electronics" with impressive fidelity. The artwork—featuring black-and-white photography by Brian Lantelme—perfectly mirrors the record’s cinematic, midnight-hued aesthetic.