Rimmel Makeup (2011)
Album review (EP).
Overall: LOVE IT! If you like 80’s music or Prince, you will enjoy this. Great lyrics & production.
It’s been a minute since we’ve last heard from Solange, the unconventional and slightly eccentric R&B singer-songwriter who just so happens to be Beyonce’s younger sister (I’m sure some may dislike the sibling mention, but I’m a Beyonce` fan; I couldn’t resist). Solange took a funky, adorable and creative dive into 60’s soul and added a modern-day twist to 2008’s “Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams,” and with her new 7-track EP, “True,” she takes us to the 80’s. “True” sounds like the album a talented Prince protégé would release. The production and musicality is delightful and attractive with live instrumentation and rock influences. It’s “groovy,” dare I say it. I just found myself completely immersed in it. This quality is further enhanced by lyrical content. Writing is Solange’s forte. She’s able to take typical song concepts, such as romance, and present them in a unique way by using unusual, but foreseeable metaphors and symbolism without being too abstract (there are only a few murky moments). My only issue with the lyrics is that there was one too many expletives. I suspect Solange has an expanded vocabulary, so I’m not sure why such elementary and tacky language is needed for expression. Vocally, Solange doesn’t have the most versatile or wide range, but her strength is that she knows how to use her voice; she never gets too ambitious and the vocal arrangements are complimentary. For those who appreciate Solange’s throwback approach, but found the 60’s too far back in the vault, “True” will be a better fitting shoe.
Overall: LOVE IT! If you like 80’s music or Prince, you will enjoy this. Great lyrics & production.
It’s been a minute since we’ve last heard from Solange, the unconventional and slightly eccentric R&B singer-songwriter who just so happens to be Beyonce’s younger sister (I’m sure some may dislike the sibling mention, but I’m a Beyonce` fan; I couldn’t resist). Solange took a funky, adorable and creative dive into 60’s soul and added a modern-day twist to 2008’s “Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams,” and with her new 7-track EP, “True,” she takes us to the 80’s. “True” sounds like the album a talented Prince protégé would release. The production and musicality is delightful and attractive with live instrumentation and rock influences. It’s “groovy,” dare I say it. I just found myself completely immersed in it. This quality is further enhanced by lyrical content. Writing is Solange’s forte. She’s able to take typical song concepts, such as romance, and present them in a unique way by using unusual, but foreseeable metaphors and symbolism without being too abstract (there are only a few murky moments). My only issue with the lyrics is that there was one too many expletives. I suspect Solange has an expanded vocabulary, so I’m not sure why such elementary and tacky language is needed for expression. Vocally, Solange doesn’t have the most versatile or wide range, but her strength is that she knows how to use her voice; she never gets too ambitious and the vocal arrangements are complimentary. For those who appreciate Solange’s throwback approach, but found the 60’s too far back in the vault, “True” will be a better fitting shoe.
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