This is part of Creative Loafing Tampa's new issue, The Year In Music. See and listen to the rest of our top albums here.
Blood Orange, Freetown Sound (Domino) Comprised of 17 tracks and redressed for many genres, Freetown Sound from Blood Orange, jumps from empowered poetry readings over swelling jazz saxophones to female vocals accompanied by Dev Hynes heterogeneous whispers and back to the pop, dance, R&B centered vibe Hynes is recognized for, all without skipping a beat. Released in July, Freetown features tracks like “Best to You,” “E.V.P.,” and “Squash Squash” which provide that distinguishable Hynes influenced island drum patterns and omnivorous bass lines. While tracks like “By Ourselves”, “Hadron Collider” and “Better Numb” provide insight and context to significant social problems. Thematically focused on the daily realities of people in black as well as LGBT community, it’s Freetown Sound underlying vulnerability makes the album resonate with listeners. — Casey Jeanite
