What's Good Ya'll! Did you know that June is also African American Music Appreciation Month? Established by jimmy Carter in 1979, I thought it was only befitting to show some love to the talented Solange Knowles. Now this album is a whole throwback ya'll, sis ain't made a new album since 2019. However, while I absolutely LOVE 'A Seat at the Table' ( it honestly deserves space in a museum that is how iconic that album is for me) my girl Solo is true to this not new to this so I want ya'll to check out this EP that I feel like is so underrated and one of her dopest pieces of work.
If you follow me you'll know I am a Beyonce fan, BUT somewhere around 2008/2009 I discovered Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams. While this was not Solange's first rodeo, it was the album that quickly set her apart from her sister and really set the tone for the Solange we now see today. But, it was the EP 'True' that had me in a MF chokehold when I finally came across it ya'll. Released on November 27, 2012, I can't remember how I found this EP all I know is I quickly became obsessed and felt like Solange was once again speaking to my soul. If you look this album up online it is labeled as Neo-soul and Funk, however, some streaming platforms may list it as a rock album. The rock/funk within this project is heavily influenced, giving you Prince vibes from track 1-7. And it's not like Solange is the best vocalist, you know what I'm saying, and I think she is very much so aware of that seeing that the arrangements of ALL of her discography is strictly tailored for her sound and voice.
The album begins with a funky ass banger 'Losing You', the beat alone makes you want to dance despite the content being one of heartbreak:
'Some Things Never Seem To F******g Work' reminds me of a a 60's girls group with a hint of 80's flare:
'Locked in the Closets' comes in with that bass and just makes you wanna dance your worries away:
'Lovers in the Parking Lot' is my favorite track on this EP. Its such a reflective bop lol my sis said: "I played around with your heart, Now I'm laying' around in the dark, Played around with your heart, Now I'm paying' while we're apart, Played around with your heart, Guess I played myself from the start.." I felt this in my core I fumbled a love or two in my day and Solange was just singing my pain lol. Also the video is so cute and me lol Solange is always giving interpretive dance moves lol and I live for it every time she gets down in a video:
Make sure you're still standing because you'll keep dancing to the tune of love with 'Don't Let Me Down' which gives off strong Prince vibes. I decided to attach a live performance of this song performed fabulously by Solange on David Letterman in 2013:
The EP finally slows down with the last two tracks. 'Looks Good with Trouble' feels more like an outro due to how short it is and 'Bad Girls [Verdine Version]' is another favorite of mine. While these are slow bops they still make you wanna groove the entire time as if you are in a trance with the tune and the lyrics. I'm only going to attach my fav here:
As you can see I love this piece of work from Solange more than anything, it was raw and well...TRUE. Do yourself a favor and check it out when you get chance and then come back here and tell me your thoughts! Also you can follow Solange but sis barely posts and when she does it's reflective and already passed lol: https://www.instagram.com/solangeknowles/
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