When Devonté Hynes makes music the world listens. Freetown Sound isn’t an exception.
The Brit released his 17-track LP three days before its official release date, surprising fans with the jazz-infused album.
https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/747642162356031488
He also released the self-directed music video for Augustine on the same day, a retro, throwback vid made up of rooftop vogueing sessions, a cameo from Julian Casblanca and imagery of Trayvon Martin, Muhammad Ali and Nicki Minaj.
Photographer Campbell Addy, had a chance meeting with Hynes a year ago, when he took a candid photo of the artist in NYC:
‘It was literally random, I was just taking pictures of black people in New York; interesting people I saw. I walked past him and I just thought he looked like a really cool guy. I didn’t even realise it was Dev Hynes until afterwards, which is rather embarrassing. He was really chilled about it and really approachable!’
Hynes proclaimed this album was for ‘everyone told they’re not black enough, too black, too queer, not queer the right way, the underappreciated.’
The references to queer issues, race and identity flow freely throughout his new album. The title Freetown Sound refers to Sierra Leone’s capital, where his father immigrated from to the UK.
‘Hynes touches on issues surrounding blackness and identity and the issues that plague his people. On the song By Ourselves, the monologue really outlines topics surrounding black women that I hope to explore in my next issue of Niijournal‘, Campbell continued.
Hynes is performing at KOKO in North London on July 5. The concert is somewhat of a ‘homecoming’ from New York where he has lived for the past five years.
You can buy tickets here.
You can buy Freetown Sound here