Spins: Album reviews

Solange – Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams

Artist: Solange
Title: Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams
Label: Geffen
Genre: Soul/Pop/Electronica

It must be difficult being the baby sister of an international superstar. That’s the dilemma faced by Solange, younger sister on the indestructible Beyonce. Although an accomplished singer, songwriter, and actress in her own right Solange is often dismissed as the talentless sibling. That may change with the release of Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, the rather wordy and abstract title of Solange’s sophomore album. Determined to create her own lane and distance herself from the shadow of big sis, Solange surrounded herself with a compelling assortment of collaborators for this project that includes the Neptunes, Mark Ronson, Bilal, Jack Splash of Plantlife and Boards of Canada. The result is an album of surprising depth and charm that is bound to get the younger Knowles sister some much need respect.

“Take me out of this box,” is the proclamation on the opening track “God Given Name” and this is a statement that defines the album. The sound of Sol-Angel is less Beyonce and more Amy Winehouse, as Solange works the 60s soul vibe that has infiltrated the mainstream as of late. But where Winehouse has a dark edge, Solange keeps things sunny and pop friendly on bubbly tracks like “I Decided” and “Would’ve Been the One.” The tracks are all handclaps, tinkling pianos, and overlapping harmonies. The majority of the album gives off this vibe and to be certain, just about every track is a winner. Try not to sway from side to side during “Sandcastle Disco” or the 70s funk flavored “I Told You So.” Solange commits to the vibe of the era and the work comes off as very sincere.

The album really creates its own identity during its final tracks, namely the Radiohead inspired “Cosmic Journey” featuring Bilal. The track begins as a gentle downtempo electronica soundscape before morphing into a full on house blowout. She further explores her inner Bjork on the ethereal “This Bird.”

Beyonce may have the market on mainstream R&B cornered but her younger sister has proven herself to be just as creative and interesting. Sol-Angel is one album that is definitely worth a listen.

- Norman Mayers

www.solangemusic.com
www.myspace.com/solange

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