True (EP)

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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 neo soul genre but contains an eclectic sound that takes influence from R&B, new wave music, dance, 1980s pop, and electronica. Solange stated she was inspired by new wave music and that "This is a dance record, but the lyrics can get pretty dark at times." [14] During an interview Solange confirmed that she had been experimenting with a moody, electronic sound for her next project. [13] Nick Levine of the BBC compared the extended play to the work of Madonna and described its music structure as a "tribute to early 80s pop-RnB music", stating the EP's production contains sweet keyboard sounds and beats that sound like that of a "battered old Casio drum machine." [18]

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 PBR&B song that has been compared to the work of the Weeknd containing minimalist and sleek production, [24] with heavy synths and echos. [21] The song begins heavy on the bass, reverb, and sultry harmonies, but the methodical approach ends rather abruptly. [24] The EP's final track "Bad Girls" (Verdine Version) contains a falsetto and was described as an "unapologetic tune". [21] Like the previous song, "Bad Girls" (Verdine Version) is a PBR&B song, the song has a funkier bass line and synths, with the song again adopting a confessional tone that is both disconnected and restricted. [24]

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 Mickalene Thomas is responsible for the EP's visual presentation. The limited edition version of "True" was released on March 11, 2013. [1] Thomas described the limited edition artwork as a collage which was shot at the Lehmann Maupin gallery located in the SoHo section of New York City. [27] When asked about the creative process she detailed recomposing the photographs with materials such as Color-aid, vintage wallpaper, and some old drawings from her days as a student at Yale University. She also noted her attention to detail for texture and color. Thomas also designed the set for the EP's lead single, "Losing You" music video; a set which Solange referred to as "brilliant". [28] When asked about it she described the project as a "very cool experience!" and noted researching images of Solange to identify what particular style she would create. To assure how hands-on she was with the design she stated, "I design every last inch—down to the outlets, faux flowers, books, and records—as they create a cohesive setting and context. No detail is overlooked." [29]

"Losing You" was released in preparation of the album and was written by Dev Hynes and Solange, with production helmed by the former under his pseudonym Blood Orange along with Kevin Barnes. Serving as the lead single from the album, the song was released for digital download on October 2, 2012 and on November 6, 2012 on vinyl [30] via Terrible Records, a label co-run by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor. In May 2013, Solange premiered the remix of her song "Look Good with Trouble" featuring Kendrick Lamar; she then revealed it would be the second single from the EP, and stated the original was "only an opener" for "Bad Girls". "Look Good with Trouble" was released as the second single from the EP on May 14, 2013. The third and final single "Lovers in the Parking Lot" was released on September 18, 2013.

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
True EP Cover.gif
The text reads: "Terrible Records - Number Fifteen" and "True" on the bottom half.
EP by
ReleasedNovember 27, 2012 (2012-11-27)
Recorded2012
Genre Neo soul
Length27:54
Label Terrible
Producer
Solange chronology
Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
(2008)
True
(2012)
A Seat at the Table
(2016)
Alternative cover
Solange True Limited Edition.jpg
Limited edition cover [1]
True Promo Tour
DateCityCountryVenue
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

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.7/10 [36]
Metacritic 79/100 [37]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [38]
The A.V. Club A− [39]
Consequence of Sound C− [24]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [40]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [41]
NME 8/10 [42]
Pitchfork Media 7.8/10 [43]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [44]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [45]
Spin 8/10 [46]

True received generally favorable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on 16 reviews. [37] Sam Wolfson of NME wrote: "The 26-year-old is not a hit-making pop star, but an antidote to pop homogenisation; something that sounds different to everything on the radio, but could still be on the radio. On that front, True delivers." [42] Paste called it "funky" and noted its "bold synths" as "sound[ing] like '80s-era Madonna". [47] Entertainment Weekly praised the album, saying "The strong '80s Nostalgia here could wear thin for some, but Solange's singular charms stretch far". [40]

Commercial performance

True first charted in Denmark on the Tracklisten chart, peaking at number forty. [48] The EP also charted on the Swedish albums chart (Sverigetopplistan) [49] at number fifty-seven, and reached 164 on the French albums chart. [50] In the United States the EP debuted at 157 on the Billboard 200, becoming Solange's third release to chart but her first not to reach the top fifty. [3]

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.TitleLength
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]

Charts

Chart (201213)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

References

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  3. 1 2 3 "Solange - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com.
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  5. Edwards, Jeanine. "Solange Knowles Flying Solo". Essence . Retrieved 2008-11-03.
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  20. True - Solange | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
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