Dev Hynes has released two new Blood Orange tracks, “Christopher & 6th” and “JUNE 12TH”, on Soundcloud.

“Christopher & 6th” and “JUNE 12TH” were both put out to mark the start of Black History Month in the United States. According to Hynes, they will not appear on the artist’s next Blood Orange album. “Christopher & 6th” features stunning vocals over raw, stripped-back guitar, while “JUNE 12TH” includes a powerful spoken word over a dreamy, hip hop-inspired backing track.

Speaking in an interview at New Yorker Festival in October last year, Hynes said his upcoming Blood Orange album – the follow-up to 2016’s Freetown Sound, and one of our most anticipated of the year – was “78 per cent done”. He also explained that the record would focus on his childhood in Essex, England, themes he explores on “JUNE 12TH”.

Announcing the release of the two tracks on his Instagram, Hynes wrote: “U must luv yourself... Happy Black History Month. (All year)”.

Listen to the new tracks below.