Negro Swan
by Blood Orange
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Aug 24, 2018
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 14, 2018
    60
    Perhaps Negro Swan is merely a step along the way, as Blood Orange continues to contend with monolithic, difficult ideas, but for now, this patchwork of sweltering grooves, amicable conversations, and urban ambience remains limited in its vision.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Aug 31, 2018
    60
    An album, according to Dev, about “black depression, black existence and the ongoing anxieties of queer / people of colour”, Negro Swan is a record that radiates these tensions; subtle and amorphous, it’s not the most immediate listen, but it’s undoubtedly one with real weight.
  3. The Guardian
    Aug 24, 2018
    60
    Ultimately, that’s the main problem here; just when you settle into Negro Swan’s groove, it changes tack, leaving you feeling weirdly unmoored from it and, worse, emotionally disconnected.
  5. Mojo
    Aug 23, 2018
    60
    Negro Swan is more consolidation than the ext great leap forwards. [Oct 2018, p.91]
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Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best Album of 2018
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 84
  3. Negative: 4 out of 84
  1. lulabymusic
    Nov 15, 2018
    10
    _____ The music of Devonte Hynes is always some kind of inexplicable magic. So much light and charm in it ... and this is absolutely without_____ The music of Devonte Hynes is always some kind of inexplicable magic. So much light and charm in it ... and this is absolutely without exaggeration.
    ​
    _____ And how does this person turn from one album to another to create such musical wonders? I think that this is one simple explanation: his music is not "squeezed out of the finger," but comes from the soul.
    ​    … Full Review »
  2. CiphirSol
    Sep 10, 2018
    10
    This is a rich and rewarding listen, has its own sense of humor, purpose and identity as well. It's also a challenging listen. The onlyThis is a rich and rewarding listen, has its own sense of humor, purpose and identity as well. It's also a challenging listen. The only quibble I have (Not a detraction, just personal) is some of the spoken word book-ends on some of the tracks kind of take away from the experience. Overall it's a strong recommend though.… Full Review »
  3. nikoziko
    Sep 9, 2018
    10
    Amazing album with perfect production and performances one of the best albums of the year so far!!!
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