Angel's Pulse Explained
Angel's Pulse is a mixtape by Dev Hynes as Blood Orange.[1] It was released via Domino Recording Company on 12 July 2019.[2] It is his first release since his fourth studio album Negro Swan (2018).[3] Originally released digitally, it was later released on compact disc, vinyl, and cassette tape on 4 October 2019.[4]
Promotion
At The Late Late Show with James Corden on 16 April 2019, Dev Hynes performed "Something to Do" and "Dark & Handsome" for the first time.[5]
A music video for "Benzo" was released on 15 July 2019.[6] It was directed by Dev Hynes himself.[7] In the video, Ian Isiah portrays as an aristocrat, while Hynes portrays as a cellist.[8] A music video for "Dark & Handsome" was released on 28 October 2019.[9] Directed by Dev Hynes,[10] the video includes a brief appearance from Toro y Moi, who is also featured on the song.[11]
Critical reception
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the mixtape received an average score of 73, based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Ann-Derrick Gaillot of Pitchfork gave the mixtape an 8.0 out of 10, writing, "while 2016's Freetown Sound and 2018's Negro Swan are cinematic both in their production and overarching themes, Angel's Pulse, Blood Orange's shortest collection of songs, feels like scanning radio stations in a lovingly nostalgic memory straight from the '90s and early '00s." Wilf Skinner of Clash described it as "a short mix of impressionistic sketches chock-full of collabs and spanning all manner of genres."
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[12]
- Devonté Hynes – vocals, guitar (1–3, 6, 9, 10), bass guitar (1, 3, 4, 8–13), keyboards (1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11), arrangement (3–9), drum programming (3, 4, 6–13), cello (4, 7), Rhodes piano (4, 10), synthesizer (6, 8, 10–14), double bass (7), sampler (7, 8), drums (10, 13), piano (12, 13), Moog synthesizer (13), production, mixing, art direction, design
- Ian Isiah – vocals (1, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14)
- Porches – guitar (1), drums (1), vocals (9)
- Toro y Moi – vocals (3)
- Eva – vocals (4)
- Jason Arce – saxophone (4)
- Kelsey Lu – vocals (5)
- Bryndon Cook – keyboards (5)
- Justine Skye – vocals (6, 12)
- Ex Reyes – piano (6, 9), Moog synthesizer (6)
- Project Pat – vocals (8)
- Gangsta Boo – vocals (8)
- Tinashe – vocals (8, 10)
- Benny Revival – vocals (11)
- David Ginyard – bass guitar (11)
- Arca – vocals (12)
- Joba – vocals (12)
- Dave Cooley – mastering
- Matthew Cooper – design
- Flurina Rothenberger – cover photography
Notes and References
- Web site: Stream Blood Orange's New Mixtape Angel's Pulse. Spin. Rob. Arcand. 12 July 2019. 23 July 2019.
- Web site: 7 Albums Out Today You Should Listen to Now: Purple Mountains, Blood Orange, and More. Pitchfork. Matthew. Strauss. 12 July 2019. 23 July 2019.
- Web site: Blood Orange announces new 'Angel's Pulse' mixtape. NME. Sam. Moore. 8 July 2019. 23 July 2019.
- Web site: Blood Orange Treats 'Angel's Pulse' to Physical Release. Exclaim!. Calum. Slingerland. 23 September 2019. 8 February 2020.
- Watch Blood Orange Debut Two Dreamy New Songs on 'Corden'. Rolling Stone. Ryan. Reed. 17 April 2019. 3 August 2019.
- Web site: Watch Blood Orange's new video for "Benzo". The Fader. Salvatore. Maicki. 15 July 2019. 23 July 2019.
- Web site: Blood Orange – "Benzo" Video. Stereogum. Tom. Breihan. 15 July 2019. 3 August 2019.
- Web site: Watch Blood Orange's New "Benzo" Video. Pitchfork. Michelle. Kim. 15 July 2019. 3 August 2019.
- Web site: WATCH: Blood Orange Shares Self-Directed Video for "Dark & Handsome". Flood Magazine. Dean. Brandt. 28 October 2019. 6 December 2019.
- Watch Blood Orange, Toro y Moi's Serene Video for 'Dark & Handsome'. Rolling Stone. Claire. Shaffer. 28 October 2019. 6 December 2019.
- Web site: Watch Blood Orange's New "Dark & Handsome" Video Featuring Toro y Moi. Pitchfork. Sam. Sodomsky. 28 October 2019. 6 December 2019.
- Angel's Pulse. CD liner notes. Blood Orange. Domino Recording Company. 2019. WIGCD460.
- Web site: Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100). Lithuanian. AGATA. 22 July 2019. 2 December 2019.
