Solange – When I Get Home

Review

Solange has clearly thrown the rulebook out the window with her 2019 auditory experience, "When I Get Home." This album transcends mere genre definitions—R&B, jazz, psychedelic soul, you name them, they're all in this Houston homage blender—delivering a genre-bending tribute to roots and reflection. Picture this: the free form jazz of songwriting and production where tracks meander into each other with no care for the boundaries of traditional album structure. Think of it as a leisurely stroll rather than a sprint — a single, uninterrupted flow of dreamy synths and chant-like lyrics that blissfully hypnotize you into a serene headspace.

The minimalist magic in her lyrics is like a chef’s kiss to the elaborate themes of identity, heritage, and belonging, expressed with just a sprinkle of words against an opulent mix of instrumentals. Tunes such as "Down With the Clique" and "Jerrod" prove that sometimes less is indeed more. And if you listen closely, you'll catch the nod to Houston's very own hip-hop tapestry, including that good old chopped and screwed signature. Collaborations sprinkle a bit of extra seasoning without hijacking the dish, as the likes of Playboi Carti, Gucci Mane, and Pharrell Williams dash their flavors into the Solange concoction. To fully appreciate the nuances of "When I Get Home," you may need to let it steep a little—you might just discover intricate layers of self-exploration that linger like the aftertaste of a complex, full-bodied wine. - Chloe