blood orange honors black history month with 2 new songs

The genius of Dev Hynes is his ability to merge the personal and the political behind an indelible hook. In honor of Black History Month (all year, he adds) the mercurial force behind Blood Orange dropped 2 new tracks that put that talent in the foreground. Though he says they won’t appear on any new album, the 2 tracks give a taste of where Hynes’ head is at these days. “Christopher & 6th” is more of a sketch, following an impromptu electric guitar line that melts into a giant keyboard line. “June 12th” is the more polished of the pair, buttoning a document of pain and the question “Are u an ally or are you hiding?” with the reminder: “You must love yourself.”