Dev Hynes as Blood Orange has always leaned toward a more classic sound. 2011’s Coastal Grooves had the energy of a synth pop album recovered from the 1980’s, and Hynes’ latest Cupid Deluxe manages to take this a step further. Cupid Deluxe sounds as if it is pulled straight from the sleek veneer of 80’s R&B, and it completely commits to this aesthetic, with plenty of guests and the occasional saxophone.
Where Cupid Deluxe impresses is in its ability to build variety within its stunted musical landscape. Hynes cultivates a certain sound that emanates throughout each song on the album. It’s a chic style that sounds pleasing to the ear even when it comes off as a little removed and innocuous. The best songs are those with flourishes of piano or saxophone. “Chamakay” is a great example of this, as are “Chosen” and “Time Will Tell.” This style works wonders thematically, but holds the album back as far as how varied it can be on a song by song basis. It restricts some of the better songs, but also holds up some of the weaker songs. It’s a trade off that comes with rigidly sticking to one style. Many of the songs easily blend together on this level, and it ends up feeling slightly tedious. Luckily, it’s able to invigorate the listener in other ways.
With the help of his friends, Hynes’ Cupid Deluxe features artists ranging from somewhat traditional (Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek on the opening track “Chamakay” comes to mind) to off the wall (rapper Despot on “Clipped On” is a good example) and raise it up from being thematically strong but flawed to an interesting listen. In effect, the album gains variety more through its eclectic collection of voices then from its music, which allows it to stay within its aesthetic while still showing some originality. It’s an interesting gambit that ends up working out well.
Lyrically, the album exists mostly in the standard R&B tropes. It deals with issues of love, but I will give it credit for hitting on more intricate aspects of relationship drama. There is longing, disappointment, inadequacy, and loneliness. While these ideas aren’t treading any new grounds, they don’t hold the album back in any way. There is a overarching feeling of resignation that permeates throughout the album. Songs like “It Is What It Is” and “Always Let You Down” are good standard bearers for this, with a unique take on the subject.
Taken as a whole, Cupid Deluxe is as much about its style as it is about any message it is trying to send, and your enjoyment of the album will largely depend on how you feel about its approach. It sounds like a true throwback, with modern additions such as diverse voices and hip hop thrown into the mix. While it feels somewhat limited instrumentally, it regains large swaths of good will in its use of those varied voices that keep it from being dragged down into monotony. It is subtle and polished and builds you up for those moments where it brings in new things such as saxophone or piano. Its sleekness is something that is hard to mimic in this era, and that Dev Hynes has been able to recreate it so perfectly is something that should be celebrated.
Review by Justin Owlett. Follow him on Twitter @justowle.
