Solange – True EP. By Chris Coplan. On November 27, 2012, 8:00am. C-From day one, the world s compared Solange. Solange Knowles, still aglow with the success of her lovely new single “Losing You,” has announced a seven-track EP titled True.The new release will be out digitally on November 27 and hit.
I’ll gladly accept my late pass on this one, because although it came out in 2012, good music can’t just go unnoticed without recognition (which I’m sure this album has got). Call me ignorant, but I didn’t know Solange made music anymore. Like, for real for real. When you’re engulfed in the shadow of your sister who’s heralded as one of the greatest performers ever, one of the most successful artists ever, and the wife of arguably the greatest rapper of all time, you can really get lost in the minor details of what it is that you do.
Solange is fashionable and for a lot of people, the better looking Knowles sister (I won’t argue that). But when it came to the music, no one really thought she could hold her own seeing as her sister was/is the better one, no if/and’s or buts about it. The thing about siblings that many people get misconstrued is that the younger one wants to be like the older one. Although they share a last name, their lives are glaringly different, especially their careers.
Solange approached this EP with a nostalgic driven sound that made me think of the old Janet Jackson, and even some remnants of vintage Madonna. From the songs themselves and her voice riding over them, this is an enjoyable listen. It’s funky, it’s soulful, and it’s a step away from what her sister does with her music, and you have the likes of Rihanna, Elle Varner, and Melanie Fiona all doing their own things. It’s refreshing to hear something different for a change. It’s a love story; an audibal diary – like a teenage love affair, but a bit modernized. If this is the first R&B album/mixtape that you listen to in the new year, you’re doing yourself a favour, because it’s pretty damn good. Enjoy.
Honestly, I can’t compare True EP to any of other Solange’s works because I haven’t listened to them.
But without the need for any comparison I can tell that True EP is nailing it.Far from the spotlights: her sister may be a superstar and her brother-in-law one of the most popular hip-hop producers (and her niece called freaking BLUE IVY!), but S still chose to sign with an indie label: Terrible Records, brain child of Grizzly Bear and CANT’s Chris Taylor.
True EP puts together transporting rhythms and fruity melodies, along with an 80’s vibe that underlines the nostalgia from the lyrics.
The EP opens with the acclaimed Losing You, first single. Clapping hands and traditional african beats along with synths: Losing You was the perfect track to translate Solange’s style into music: mixing elements of African and Western culture to reach the most sophisticated result.
The second single, Lovers in the Parking Lot, shines in its femme fatale feel, with its metallic drums behind Solange’s voice going up and down, putting forward her vocal talents.
The other songs show a wide range of styles: Locked in Closets would stick to modern R&B and Don’t Let Me Down reminds more of classic and funky R&B while Bad Girls sends us straight back to 80’s synth pop.
Tracklist:
1. Losing You
2. Some Things Never Seem to F***ing Work
3. Locked in Closets
4. Lovers in the Parking Lot
5. Don’t Let Me Down
6. Look Good With Trouble
7. Bad Girls (Verdine Version)
True EP points out the reality of Solange being an integral and authentic artist that rises completely independently of her sister’s fame.
Such a fresh cocktail of influences and styles introduces us to Solange’s creativity and free-mindedness, making us wanting more.
Take a listen at Losing You here:
True EP is available on iTunes and most digital music platforms, and soon to be released on hard-copy.
Love the tunes!
Solange True Ep
Amanda
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