Blood Orange Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Ranking the work of Dev Hynes as Blood Orange is a unique challenge.

His discography blends R&B, funk, and indie pop into something entirely his own. Each album feels like a distinct, deeply personal statement.

To create this list of Blood Orange albums ranked, we've turned to the fans. Their collective voice provides a fascinating look at which records have resonated most deeply over time.

We'll also see how this compares to current popularity data to find what might be considered the best Blood Orange album today.

Ranking Blood Orange's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Cupid Deluxe (2013)

Cupid Deluxe is the second album from Dev Hynes under the Blood Orange moniker, following up on his debut.

It features a much more expansive sound. The record brings in a host of guest artists like Caroline Polachek, Skepta, and David Longstreth.

Hynes described the album as being inspired by New York City. He was exploring themes of personal transitions and the feeling of moving from a stable to an unstable position.

Key tracks:

• You're Not Good Enough
• Uncle ACE

Topping our fan-ranked list is Cupid Deluxe, and it’s not hard to see why.

For many, this album represents the definitive Blood Orange sound. Its blend of hazy funk, pop sensibility, and poignant lyrics cemented Hynes's place as a vital voice in modern music.

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2. Negro Swan (2018)

Negro Swan is the fourth studio album by Blood Orange, released in 2018.

Dev Hynes described the record as a deep exploration of black depression. It also examines the ongoing anxieties faced by queer people of color.

Despite its heavy themes, Hynes noted that an underlying thread of hope runs through the entire project.

Key tracks:

• Charcoal Baby
• Chewing Gum

Coming in at a very close second, Negro Swan is arguably Hynes's most critically acclaimed and thematically focused work.

Fans often praise its vulnerability and its beautiful, meditative soundscapes. It’s a record that feels both personal and universal.

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3. Coastal Grooves (2011)

Coastal Grooves marks the official debut of the Blood Orange project.

Unlike his later, more collaborative work, this album features no guest appearances. It was produced in Los Angeles with Ariel Rechtshaid.

The label described its sound as capturing the glamour and drama of 1980s New York City.

Key tracks:

• Champagne Coast
• The Complete Knock

The album that started it all, Coastal Grooves, holds a special place in the discography.

While it’s more stripped-back than later releases, the foundational elements of Blood Orange are all here. Its wiry guitars and nocturnal mood continue to attract listeners, especially with tracks like "Champagne Coast" finding new life recently.

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4. Angel's Pulse (2019)

Angel's Pulse was released in 2019 and is officially classified as a mixtape.

It serves as an epilogue or companion piece to the critically acclaimed Negro Swan, which was released the previous year.

The project has a looser, more impressionistic feel. It features a collection of short tracks and collaborations that feel like sketches.

Key tracks:

• Gold Teeth
• I Wanna C U

While it lands at the fourth spot, Angel's Pulse is a beloved collection of tracks that feel like a beautiful postscript to Negro Swan.

Its status as a mixtape might explain its ranking, but fans appreciate it as a showcase of Hynes's creative process and his ability to craft compelling sonic vignettes.

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Picked your top Blood Orange classic? Check out Blood Orange's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Blood Orange albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Blood Orange's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Coastal Grooves	2011
2	Negro Swan	2018
3	Cupid Deluxe	2013
4	Angel's Pulse	2019

Quick FAQs about Blood Orange's albums

Q: What was the inspiration behind Cupid Deluxe?

A: Dev Hynes has said the album was heavily inspired by his move to Manhattan, New York City. The record explores themes of life transitions and moving from a stable to an unstable position.

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That concludes our journey through the Blood Orange albums, ranked by both fan sentiment and popularity.

It's interesting to see how the fan-favorite list differs from the one based on current engagement data.

Of course, the debate over the best Blood Orange album is personal. Each record offers a different mood and a different story.

Now we want to hear from you. What does your ranking look like? Let us know your top album in the comments.