This is a strong R&B album with tracks produced by Pharell Williams (“I Decided, Pt. 1 & 2”) and featuring Lil Wayne (“Champagnechroniknight”) and Cee-Lo (“T.O.N.Y.” and “Sandcastle Disco”); Bilal also makes a vocal appearance on “Cosmic Journey”. Solange’s clever selection of artists and producers makes this album appealing to those who enjoy mainstream music as well as those who prefer albums that are off the beaten path. She uses samples from The Supremes’ “Where did Our Love Go?” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” to provide a retro sound of the sixties and seventies. “Cosmic Journey” and “Dancing In the Dark” most notably exemplify retro soul and electronica influences. “Ode to Marvin” and “This Bird” are other honorable mentions to that effect.
Conversely, Solange’s vocal immaturity is an album shortcoming. She runs into trouble when she strains her voice in an unsuccessful attempt to produce a gospel type sound (i.e., “Would’ve Been the One” and towards the end of “This Bird”). This technique does not work well for her and in many ways can distract from the album’s strongest suit, the music. She does a much better job singing falsetto, which adds a kind of psychedelic mystique to the album.
Sol Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams is successfully creative and distinctive despite several contemporary artists’ attempts to make throwback albums. Those who are willing to listen and ignore Solange’s association with her iconic sibling will find the album a welcomed breath of fresh air. “Let my starlight shine on its own, no, I’m no sister-just my God given name”.
