True (EP)
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True is the first
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Upon release True received generally positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, the EP debuted at number 157 on the US Billboard 200
Background
In 2008, Solange signed a record deal with
In October of the same year, Solange announced on her
Recording
In an interview with
The extended play was recorded in five cities including Santa Barbara, LA, Houston, NYC, and on the German autobahn.[15] Dev Hynes began work with Theophilus London, who called Solange stating that he had just been working on a record with Hynes and thought she should have been a part of it.[16] Following the call, Solange visited Theophilus at the studio, where she met Dev and after hearing his music, the two embarked on a friendship and a working relationship.[16] Solange stated that the EP's recording process was done over a two-year period, but the first six months was a period where Solange and Dev Hynes swapped ideas and established a cohesive sound. Over the next two years, the pair co-wrote and co-produced thirty songs, with "Locked in Closets" and "Don't Let Me Down" being the first two songs to be recorded.[16]
During the recording of True, Solange worked with Pharrell Williams amongst other producers, however the songs were never used for the extended play. Whilst in Santa Barbara, where the pair first started to work together, they were experimenting with different sounds, different sonics and different collaborators. There were other producers who were working with them and Solange stated "it just became really clear to me that the music me and Dev were creating together was very special, and from then I just transitioned into wanting Dev to produce the record."[16] Whilst recording True, Solange took influence from production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, known for their work with Janet Jackson as well as listening to large amounts of SOS Band and Chaka Khan, records that were also produced by Jimmy Jam.[16]
Music and lyrics
The EP is straight-up termite R&B '80s revivalism, with nihilistic Jan Hammer programming, Prince-protégée synth squiggles, and a beat halfway between freestyle and Miami bass. Solange's vocals never strain for effect, but rather roll over for the opposite, which is an odd but endearing stance
— Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine.[17]
Consisting of seven tracks, True is primarily in the
A reviewer from Pitchfork described the songs as having no huge choruses but instead "its hooks bubble up quietly and quickly, then dissipate as the songs return to their downbeat simmer". The same reviewer stated that Hynes plays with non-traditional structures, letting the songs meander in and out of grooves. The album was described as containing no "filler" and an accessible and authentic piece of pop.[19] The EP's songs have a diaphanous new wave via synth funk sound that was compared to the work of Little Dragon by Andy Kellman of AllMusic. The lyrical content of the album details a relationship gone wrong that "provide[s] aching, wistful, and frustrated contrast to the animated and slowly swaying backdrops" according to Kellman from AllMusic.[20]
Songs
The opening track and lead single "Losing You" is a R&B song with pop and electronic music, described as having a "pleasantly upbeat" sound that lyrically speaks about love that has become complicated.[21] Philip Sherburne of Spin magazine called "Losing You" a "remarkable song in its own right, with a breezy fusion of singer-centric R&B, 1980s pop, and lanky, mid-tempo hip house beats." He felt the song was breakaway from the "R&B-gone-electronic dance music tracks" and commented that it was also "remarkable for what it suggests about the direction of pop music right now; it feels like one of those moments when something lurking just below the surface of the zeitgeist breaks through in a big way."[22]
The second track "Some Things Never Seem to Fucking Work" is lyrically about "ultimatums and questions, Solange ponders the illusion of a relationship". "Locked in Closets" was described as having a beat "reminiscent of Michael Jackson in his 'Smooth Criminal' prime", and continues the theme of "addictive love".[21] The fourth song "Lovers in the Parking Lot" is a soulful pop song with "futuristic and tropical" sounds and production,[23] containing a slow tempo with a piano riff in which Solange "regretfully admits she played around with somebody's heart".[21] "Don't Let Me Down" was described as "playful, with an aggressive beat" and described as setting the "foundation for a hip-hop track".[21] Speaking about "Don't Let Me Down", Solange said;
It really encompasses a few different elements for me that are really personal. When I was writing the song, I was just thinking about a certain space in my relationship. And what’s really interesting about the record is that, previous to Dev coming and being a part of it, I was having a pretty difficult time writing because it was my first time writing in a space of content and being in a settled and stable relationship. Pretty much all of my other writing experiences were coming from a place of sadness or anger or confusion, and so that song is really special because it was in my own little way being able to express that but it still has a hint of confusion to it as well.[16]
"Looks Good with Trouble" is a
Release and promotion
Solange previewed the seven-track EP in New York City on October 24, 2012 to positive reviews.[25] Solange and Dev Hynes hosted a second listening party at Sonos Studio in Los Angeles on November 27, the date of the EP's digital release.[26]
New York-based artist
"Losing You" was released in preparation of the album and was written by
Solange announced a small tour in promotion of True and to celebrate her return to music. It was her first tour since 2009.[31][32][33][34][35]
True Promo Tour | |||
Date | City | Country | Venue |
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December 11, 2012 | New York City | United States | Bowery Ballroom |
January 16, 2013 | London | United Kingdom | XOYO |
January 17, 2013 | |||
January 18, 2013 | Paris | France | Nouveau Casino |
January 19, 2013 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Bitterzoet |
January 20, 2013 | Berlin | Germany | Prince Charles Nightclub |
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Pitchfork Media | 7.8/10[43] |
Rolling Stone | [44] |
Slant Magazine | [45] |
Spin | 8/10[46] |
True received generally favorable reviews from critics. At
Commercial performance
True first charted in Denmark on the
Track listing
The track listing was announced by Rap-Up magazine on October 25, 2012.
All tracks are written by Solange Knowles and Dev Hynes.[25]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | " Losing You " | 4:20 |
2. | "Some Things Never Seem to Fucking Work" | 4:57 |
3. | "Locked in Closets" | 3:22 |
4. | "Lovers in the Parking Lot" | 4:22 |
5. | "Don't Let Me Down" | 4:13 |
6. | "Look Good with Trouble" | 1:30 |
7. | "Bad Girls" (Verdine Version) | 5:10 |
Personnel
Credits for True adapted from AllMusic.[51]
- Solange Knowles – vocals, producer, writer (all tracks)
- Dev Hynes – producer, writer (all tracks), additional background vocals
- Chris Egan – live drums (on "Locked in Closets" and "Don't Let Me Down")
- Verdine White – bass (on "Bad Girls")
- Mikaelin 'Blue' Bluespruce– album engineer (Lounge Studios, NYC)
- Rommel Nino Villanueva – additional engineering (on "Locked in Closets", "Don't Let Me Down" and "Bad Girls")
- Chris Taylor – additional mixing (on "Losing You")
- Ariel Rechtshaid – additional mixing (on "Losing You" and "Bad Girls")
- Joe LaPorta – album mastering (Lounge Studios, NYC)
Charts
Chart (2012–13) | Peak position |
---|---|
Danish Albums ( Tracklisten)[48]
|
40 |
French Albums ( SNEP)[50]
|
164 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[49] | 57 |
US Billboard 200[3] | 157 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[52] | 17 |
See also
- Solange discography
References
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- ^ a b c "Solange - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com.
- ^ Crosley, Hillary (2007-12-11). "Solange Knowles Inks With Geffen". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
- ^ Edwards, Jeanine. "Solange Knowles Flying Solo". Essence. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ^ Arthur, Sylvia (2008-07-01). "Destiny's Child: Solange Comes of Age". Clutch. Archived from the original on 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
- WXIN-TV. Archived from the originalon 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith. "Ask Billboard: Sol-Angel doesn't get wings". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on September 24, 2013. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams by Solange". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ Gittins, Ian (2008-11-10). "Solange". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
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- ^ "On the Breaking Blog: Solange". Rolling Stone. 2008-09-24. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
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- ^ Solange Knowles New Album True – Solange Knowles Interview About Music
- ^ a b c d e f Exclusive Q&A: Solange Talks ‘True’ EP, New Label, & Next Album | Rap-Up
- ^ "Slant review". Slant Magazine. 7 December 2012.
- ^ BBC – Music – Review of Solange Knowles – True
- ^ Carrie Battan, "Solange True Review", Pitchfork, November 27, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ True - Solange | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
- ^ a b c d e f Solange Previews ‘True’ EP at New York Listening Party | Rap-Up
- ^ Sherburne, Philip (2012-10-02). "Does Solange's 'Losing You' Spell the End of R&B-Gone-EDM?". Spin. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- ^ Solange "Lovers in the Parking Lot"
- ^ Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^ a b Punjabi, Rajul (2012-10-25). "Solange Previews 'TRUE' EP at New York Listening Party". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
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- ^ "Solange Unveils 'True' EP Limited Edition Cover". Rap-Up. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ "Solange Interviews Mickalene Thomas". Opening Ceremony. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ Solange Knowles, "Solange Interviews Mickalene Thomas". Opening Ceremony. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013. Alt URL
- Pitchfork Media. 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Solange playing Bowery Ballroom in December". Brooklyn Vegan. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "SOLANGE'S WORLDWIDE "TRUE" EP PROMOTIONAL TOUR REVEALED". solange-k.net. 2012-11-21. Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ Armitage, Hugh (2012-11-23). "Solange Knowles announces one-off London gig". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ Charts, Pure (2012-11-22). "Solange Knowles en concert au Nouveau Casino le 18 janvier 2013". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "Solange Knowles in Berlin - 20.1.2013 im Prince Charles". Berlin At Night. 2012-11-22. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- Any Decent Music. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Reviews for True [EP] by Solange". Metacritic. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "True – Solange". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ Bromwich, Jonah (December 18, 2012). "Solange: True". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ a b "Solange: True". Entertainment Weekly. December 7, 2012. p. 75.
- ^ Roberts, Randall (January 8, 2013). "Review: Solange stays 'True' to the beat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Wolfson, Sam (November 22, 2012). "Solange – 'True EP'". NME. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ Catucci, Nick (December 3, 2012). "True". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ Henderson, Eric (December 7, 2012). "Solange: True". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (November 14, 2012). "Solange, 'True EP' (Terrible)". Spin. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (November 27, 2012). "Solange: True". Paste. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ a b danishcharts.dk - Discography Solange
- ^ a b True on the Swedish Albums Chart
- ^ a b Steffen Hung. "Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ "True Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ "Solange – Chart history (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2016.