Essex Honey

On 'Essex Honey', Dev Hynes explores themes of grief, memory, and his upbringing in Essex through a self-produced soundscape that blends his signature, layered R&B with gentle piano, jazz flourishes, and nods to Elliott Smith. The album features a wide array of collaborators including Lorde, Caroline Polachek, and Zadie Smith, who are integrated into the record's contemplative and hazy atmosphere rather than serving as prominent features. As his first full-length Blood Orange album in over six years, the work is noted for its direct lyricism and sophisticated, cathartic exploration of personal and collective loss.