CD: Solange - True | reviews, news & interviews
CD: Solange - True
CD: Solange - True
The younger Ms Knowles proves to be as much of a pop powerhouse as big sis
Writing about True without naming the elephant in the room was always going to be a challenge, even if the younger Ms Knowles’ next move had built on the more experimental sounds of her earlier work or “Stillness is the Move”, her 2009 collaboration with Dirty Projectors. But then “Losing You” dropped in October, and it just so happened to feature one of the greatest female R&B vocals since, well...
The song is a gripping opener to this seven-track mini-album, Solange’s first release on Grizzly Bear’s Terrible imprint. Fusing choppy, tribal beats with an understated vocal performance, the quiet desperation of “Losing You” conveys the song’s powerful sense of loss far more effectively than all the big-ballad histrionics in the world ever could. Far more impressive is that is manages to do so while remaining catchy as sin.
That nothing else on True quite matches the single in immediacy is in no means a criticism. Whether it’s the freedom of an indie label or - more likely - the result of finding the perfect collaborator in the shape of co-writer and producer Dev Hynes, the record goes on to play joyfully with the most modern of production trickeries at the same time as drawing heavily from 1980s pop grooves. With its syncopated rhythm and synthetic hand claps, “Some Things Never Seem to Fucking Work” could almost have been stolen from Kylie’s early catalogue - if you ignore the kind of knowing lyrics Stock, Aiken and Waterman would never have allowed near a record sleeve.
It might not be a perfect collection - “Don’t Let Me Down” feels like filler and, despite the perfect rhythmic segue between the last two tracks, “Bad Girls” probably goes on about a minute too long - but there are times it comes close. The glitchy, menacing “Locked in Closets” practically begs to be played on vinyl, while “Lovers in the Parking Lot” gives Solange a proper chance to exercise her considerable vocal chops, and even duet with herself thanks to a neat bit of electronic trickery. Solange is currently working with Hynes on a full-length release, and on this evidence, it’s bound to excite more than that Destiny’s Child reunion.
Watch the video for "Losing You"
rating
Share this article
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
Add comment