★★★★★★★★★☆ Rating: 9 out of 10 (I will very rarely give a 10 but this one was close)
Three years since the release of A Seat At The Table, an album that drastically changed the way Solange creates, produces and performs her music, Solo is back. When I Get Home is an album delivered in the same vein as A Seat At The Table but at a level where Solange is confident and mature enough to allow for experiment. It is a nineteen track album with thirteen songs, five interludes and one intermission.
When I Get Home is a celebration of Solange’s unique creative vision, made up of her own musical interests and personal experience throughout her life. Judging by the title and her many Houston references it seems to be heavily influenced to her hometown Houston, Texas. The Knowles sisters have a tendency to reference Houston and Texas in their song lyrics, unashamedly proud of the town that helped shape them. For Solange however, the Houston homages can be seen in the track names of ‘Almeda’, ‘S.McGregor’, ‘Beltway’ and ‘Exit Scott’ all references to street names or areas in Houston. Also the track ‘Not Screwed’ is a reference to the musical style ‘Chopped ‘n’ Screwed’ made famous by Houston local DJ Screw.
Fun Fact! He is also referenced in Houston native Travis Scotts song R.I.P Screw
The album also hosts some impressive features from Gucci Mane on ‘My Skin My Logo’, Sampha on ‘Time (Is)’, Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and Steve Lacy help out on random songs throughout and Playboi Carti and The Dream on standout track ‘Almeda’. This Carti feature has got to be one of the best I’ve heard this year, it’s unexpected yet his unique tone and flow fits perfectly with the song. We also are lucky enough to get a signature four count start in Pharrell produced song ‘Sound of Rain’.
The video for Almeda is below if you’d like to have a sneaky listen.
The album in its sound is quite varied throughout. For the most part, I would describe it as a futuristic jazz synth/ hip hop. It is almost like we are hearing a snippet of what hip hop may sound like in the year 3018, proving this woman is way ahead of her time. It is also very minimal in its sound, allowing space for contemplation or time to create Solange induced sonic imagery in your head. Because of this minimalism it can be assumed that whether vocal or instrumental, each sound has a distinct purpose or intention (as stated explicitly in the interlude ‘Do Nothing Without Intention’).
The album has also been used as the soundtrack for a stunning visual album which you can watch here. It gives the music a second life and also shares insight into the world Solange has created with this album.
Here’s a snippet to give you an idea of what that world looks like.
I understand When I Get Home is not your typical RnB album by any means and may not be for everyone but I absolutely love it. In fact, the album is obscurely described as a combination of RnB, ‘Chopped n Screwed’ Hip Hop and Cosmic Jazz. These genre categories are a headache for anyone, me included, but the way Solange is able to tell stories and create settings through her unique sonic ability is truely mind blowing. She has created this album with a freedom and authenticity not often seen in music today and I am honestly jealous of how freely she is able to express herself through her creative endeavours. Favourite album of 2019 so far!
lifeofafangirl.video.blog 