Singer and songwriter Solange Knowles released her fourth album, When I Get Home, on March 1st. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 with 43,000 album equivalent units. This marks Knowles’ third top U.S. album. It is a follow up to her 2016 album, A Seat At The Table. The 19th track album explores Solange’s hometown of Houston, Texas and contains R&B and jazz elements.
The first two tracks contain lyrics that are repetitive along with the messages that are not clear. It doesn’t bring excitement or a hype feeling that would start off an album. Messages became clearer when songs such as “Down in the Clique,” “Ways to Show,” and “Dreams” came on even though the beat and the tempo is slow. The mood of the album starts to transition to when “Stay Flo” comes on. It contains a catchy beat where it makes you want to raise an expectation for Knowles on the type of artist we’ve always known her to be.
Features on the album included hip-hop artists The Dream, Playboi Carti, Gucci Mane, and Tyler the Creator, along with samples containing from actresses Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, Poet Pat Parker, and rapper and member of the hip-hop group Geto Boys, Scarface.
“Almeda” featuring The Dream and Playboi Carti is one of the most stands out songs of the album. With the ode being chopped and screwed, a technique that originated in the Houston hip hop scene in the early 90s, Knowles dug deep into her Southern roots and traditions. “Almeda” being named after an area located in Southwest Houston, she mentioned a term “Florida Water.” Florida Water is defined as a unisex cologne based on a mixture of essentials oils. It is purported to have spiritual and healing effects. Knowles sings about no matter how effective the water is, it can bring hope and perseverance of the diversity of black people.
Another record that also stands out is “Binz” which is about earning money and living lavishly while breaking the stereotype of African Americans being poor. Knowles constantly uses the term “CP.” “CP time” or “colored people’s time” refers to the negative stereotype that African Americans are always being late to events. According to genius.com, the term appeared as early in 1912 at a Chicago newspaper. American Anthropologist, Jules Henry defined the term “CP time” during his observations of interviews with poor African American families living in St. Louis housing development in the 1960s.
The album concluded with the song “I Am A Witness.” With a powerful and spiritual element, Knowles delivered a prayer like message permitting control on accomplishing what needs to be done. Overall, some of the messages are not clear or lyrics don’t relate to the title of the songs. There were some that display messages, however, the beats and melodies don’t match with the points that Knowles want to get across. The album is not as great as her previous one as far as the instrumentals. However, Knowles did a great job of making listeners understand more about the importance of black culture and Southern roots. In contrast, this isn’t the best album to listen to unless if you are interested in knowing the significance behind the project.
