By HANNAH ELLIOTT, Robinson High

If you aren’t aware of Solange, all I need to do is tell you her last name and you will know most of what you need to know. Her full name is Solange Knowles and yes, she is the multi-talented younger sister of legend Beyoncé Knowles. Solange tagged along when her dad managed Destiny’s Child, and was often the opening act for her sister’s group.

Taking on a more ’60s soul angle for her music, Solange differs largely from her big sis. The singer has a lighter, younger flare than Beyoncé’s deep, powerful belting, but the family obviously has a knack for pristine R&B voices.

Since her last album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams that contained the infectious sugary soul-pop song Sandcastle Disco, Solange has entirely recreated herself, jumping into the indie scene and ditching her big-wig record label for Terrible Records which is co-owned by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear.

True shows a clear evolution of Solange in vocals as well as musical arrangement. Losing You starts out the album with a subdued yet dance-inducing soul vibe that immediately made me nostalgic of something I couldn’t put my finger on. Solange’s voice has the power of three Beyoncés but it is pleasingly dilluted to a calm gospel-like purr.

Some Things Never Seem to F***ing Work embodies the teeny nostalgic vibe again, as Solange sings, “Remember when you kissed me at Jimmy John’s when I was 17.”

Solange’s simple youthfulness radiates, along with beats that remind me of the ’80s, contributing to the vintage vibes of the EP’s seven songs.

The rest of the album is a smooth ride, rather than a booming chorus; the album just bobs onward and wanders in and out of hooks and grooves, sometimes becoming monotonous but overall very enjoyable.
Solange’s naive, indie spirit separates her from the music of her big sis, not to disown her upbringing but simply to put her own twist on R&B.