Last week, Dev Hynes promised brand new music from Blood Orange, sharing an image of a notebook showing lyrics from the single titled “Sandra’s Smile”. Today, he has delivered on this promise, streaming a new single on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as sharing the music video, streaming above.
The titular Sandra references Sandra Bland, the Texas woman who died in police custody after being taken to jail during a traffic stop in July. The lyrics also reference the mother of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Martin: “Look, an hour ago, I read Sybrina’s quote / I mean, why should she forgive? / D’we lose you if, we don’t?” Dev’s lyrics are consistently powerful in all of his music – read the full lyrics, confirmed by Dev Hynes on Genius, here.
Hynes has confirmed his first live show as Blood Orange of 2015, a benefit show billed as Blood Orange And Friends, taking place on December 12 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The concert will feature the premier of new material, as well as selections from Blood Orange’s past releases, and will benefit the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music.
Hynes states:
“Playing music saved my life; if it wasn’t for the chance to play cello or piano when I was a kid growing up in Essex, I shudder to think where I’d be right now. At this point in my life, all that matters to me is giving back to communities and making people happy, so I have decided to put on a fun night of performances at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem that is hopefully affordable to all, with all proceeds going to the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. New York City, let’s have some fun!”
Purchase tickets for the show here.
