Solange, who, before, was largely known as just Beyonce’s little sister, releases her sophmore album, SoL-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams on August 26th. This time around she’s taking the reigns, staking her own claim and doing it the right way: the way she wants to do it.
Solange put out her debut album, Solo Star back in 2003, with moderate success with the single, “Feelin’ You”. Although people didn’t fully flock to the project, Solange stuck to her guns and did a couple of films and stayed behind the scenes to give attention to her young son. After a short break from the industry, she began working on the album, SoL-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams, as well as penning tracks for big sis, Beyonce, and labelmate/friend Michelle Williams.
While seeking out the right producers and writers to collaborate on the project, Solange found doors closing left and right in her face, due to past associations. But it wasn’t until she played pieces of the record, that heavyweights like Pharrell Williams, Cee-Lo Green and popular producer Mark Ronson signed onto the project. In addition to working with Shea Taylor, Soulshock and Karlin and Jack Splash.
It was then that we got a taste of her first single, “♫ I Decided,” people saw that Solange wasn’t doing anything typical, and certainly was peeping her face from big sister’s shadow. Not only that, but with her videos, we found that Solange has a great vision and sense of imagery.
Hadley Street Dreams is definitely a solid project. Critics have already acclaimed the new set as a cult classic. Solange taps into old ’60′s and ’70′s soul, as well as some down-beat electronic elements. Stand-out tracks include the afore mentioned as well as the second single, “♫ Sandcastle Disco.” From old school, feel-good tracks like the Mark Ronson-assisted ” ♫6 O’Clock Blues,” “An Ode to Marvin” and the Cee-Lo-penned “T.O.N.Y.,” to electric “Cosmic Journey,” featuring Bilal, Solange conveys her keen ear.
& Make sure you cop SoL-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams in stores and online on August 26th!
I love I decided! Go Solange!
The album is really good, I was impressed. I DLed it sometime last week but I’m DEFINITELY buying it on Tuesday. Cheers.
I will be purchasing this.
man oh man i cant wait 2 get dis cd ..its so laid back and chill..and she so speak da truth!!!
1. Cee-Lo is such a talented writer. It amazes me that he keeps penning these great songs for female singers.
2. This album is REALLY good. Solid is a good way to describe it. I was really surprised. I was not a huge fan of “I Decided” but listened to some of the other leaked tracks and was blown away. I think everyone should really listen to the album. Solange really should be commended. What she is doing is very different and unlike anything you will hear out right now, least of all from her sister. I think this may be the thing to allow her to step away from just being “Beyonce’s sister.”
Imma cop the album… Solange is definitely doing her thing!!!
love solo, but i dont see myself buying her cd, someone else will-so keep doing u solo
“Valentines day” has been on rotation since last week…
im feelin the album and def will be picking it up next tuesday!
I’m suporting solange 100% I definately will be buying this album i love all the songs especially TONY (thats my shit) go head solo
I been listening to this album all week since it leaked, i already preordered it (and at $6.99 so i won’t be completely broke this week), this best songs in my opinion are “ode to marvin” “would’ve been the one” and cosmic journey.
i downloaded her album and… I LUVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. i wasnt her fan before,… but now i am!!.. but lemme find out solange is a WEED HEAD!!….alot of her songs is about smoking or getting high!!…i wonder if thas y i like it…lol… JK… everyone should def go buy it… or download it if ur broke like me..lol
well, i’ve always liked Solange, since feeling u, it came at the end of a DC album, i’m sure. I’m happy for her, it’s hard walking in the shadow of a giant, especially when you’re a giant yourself.
she’s great. well done
Im feeling “Fu** the industry” !!!
Music and style sound like Amy Winehouse. I like Amy Winehouse.
Well I after listening to Would’ve been the one….i guess i know why her and her husband daniel didn’t work out….”You plus me divided me from him”
I love ode to marvin and six o’clock blues but oh my god cosmic journey is just on another level and I totally love it. Solo I will definitely cop this album.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy, i just don’t want to listen to any more of it before Tuesday! I want to hear music i have not heard before; lol
I actually like her songs yall like foreal! Im hooked!
At Gina: I couldn’t help but think about Daniel too when I heard that song. I love T.O.N.Y cause I can totally relate. I love Valentine’s Day. I’m not really feeling The bird but whatever. I’ll cop it for the artwork alone I love that picture of her with the pen writing “I will not get pregnant at seventeen or have a famous family.
I’m feeling solo…heard her on lip service. She seems like a cool ass chick.
Not really all that.
Gina, you are not the only one cause I couldn’t help thinking about Daniel when I heard that part about and “yes that was my name inked on his arm and if he loved me that much and still did me wrong I feel sorry for you for holding on”.
I’ll love Ode to marvin, V-Day, Six o clock blues, would’ve been the one and I will be getting it tuesday. I love that artwork especially the pic of her in angel wings writing she wouldn’t get preggers at 17 or have a famous family. I like her sense of humor.
What happend tgo “Champagnechronicnightcap”?
I used to LOVE that song!
It’s a shame that her and daniel couldn’t make it work though. He really was in love with her to be honest I think he still is but he got caught up in being a player and despite what some people think he proposed to her before a couple of months before they even knew she was pregnant. Originally they were going to wait a few years at the request of his family but once danny found out she was pregnant that only made him what to marry her faster. I think they made a hot couple.
At number 20, I think it’s still on there just not featuring lil wayne. I like wayne on it though.
I’m diggin that TONY record. Now I’m gonna listen to the other two.
August 26th is not coming fast enough. I can’t wait to get this cd. First cd I’ll buy in 5 years.
Ok good….Im glad that it made the album!!!
@20,
That is THE song..my favorite one from her so far.
To be honest I don’t think that Solange is BIG ENOUGH yet, to be considered Solange, well to completely drop the (Beyonce’s little sister). Yeah people know her, but people who aren’t Beyonce fans and don’t go on blogs still are like, Who? I’m not going to lie, I still tell people “Yeah it’s Beyonce lil’ sister’s.” Because if you just say Solange, people are like yeah, okay..NEXT!! We all know that if it wasn’t for Beyonce she wouldn’t be getting all the access that she’s getting right now.
ANYWAYS..I’m def getting the album..Love it Love her..hopefully it would show the world that she’s not only Beyonce’s little sister but Solange.
yeah that cosmic journey joint is ridiculous,i would have to say that was the best song i have heard from her and i like all of her songs i also like the song “i would have been the 1″ i think thats what its called,but man so far so good,i havent heard one song from her i hated…..i mean i wasnt totally in love with “i decided” but every song before and after that that i have heard was awesome!
Go cop dat album 8/26/08 you dig (man i wish i was on payroll,i would have been promoted by now lol)
I listened to it in it’s entirety & I am just as amped as I was before for the 26th to get here. THIS ALBUM IS THE ISH!!!!!!! I’m loving this girl. Go Solo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That girl said
“I’m sorry if the planet that I’m living on is quizzical. My lyrical ambition sometimes don’t ring a bell” And I’m sorry if my visual don’t match up with my feelings. And my physical exhibit doesn’t represent me well”
I am sooooooooooooooo feeling her. I haven’t been this excited about an album in a long time!!!!
i’m glad everyones feelings the album i’m glad i copped it champagnechronicnightcap is still on there just without weezy t.o.ny is my JAM!!
OMG are yall deaf. her cd is pure trash….besides sandcastle, t.o.n.y., and would’ve been the one…she could’ve thrown this one in the la pou bell….but i love her style tho
Does anybody know if she is releasing “White Picket Dreams ” too? Think I might REALLY buy it then.
Ay she hot I will def be purchasing this, my kinda music
“Sorry if I’m talking shit but I really do mean well” -Solange
I love this chick. Lol at her “letting a chick have it” at that Jay-z concert.
omggggg im most def buyin this album!!! solange has a GIFT! real talk!!! cosmic journey & would have been the one are some of my favsz!!! OMGGGGG dis album is thee shxt!!
33 i think it its a bonus track on the album!
Loved every track I’ve heard so far! Def. getting the album!
I forgot: The shoes are sikk!
I’m pretty impressed with new Solange’s album, she has set herself apart from Beyonce with her different sound. It’s like 60′s and 70′s soul-inspired mixed with pop, I like it.
OMG valentine’s day is my jam I swear i downloaded it about a month ago and i cant stop playing it lol I will be getting this cd
My favorite song is “Dancing in the Dark”,reckless song.. It reminds me how I feel about me and my ex.
you go girl!!! and those shoes are haaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwttttttttttttttt
Good job Solange. You have 44 people buying your album on the 26th. GREAT JOB!
I was hooked on Solange from the beginning when the 1st two songs leaked a long time ago. She didnt have to “grow” on me. I’m glad a lot of people are starting to see the the artistry in her music. This album was well prepared.
Will def purchase lOOoooooove the album fun fresh and has a great ol skool feel to it
I’m not listening to anymore new songs until I buy the album! It’s more exciting for me that way. Seeing all the good responses about her songs is getting me so amped for Tuesday! Yeah solange!
I`m really feelin` Solange right now. This is a solid project and one that she should be proud of. I`m definitely goin` to support it; and gladly I might add. She brings a different sound and that`s greatly needed right now. The girl is dewin` her thang and I just hope she gets the proper promotion because it`s well deserved. Continue to just dew you Sol-angel.
YO… THIS ALBUM GOES SOOO HARD… “WOULD’VE BEEN THE ONE” IS MY JAM!!! … LIKE…. I GOTTA SUPPORT.. THIS ALBUM IS THE TRUTH… AND I APPLAUD HER FOR DOING HER THING! MOS DEF!!!!
Damn “I wouldve been the one” such a passionate song right there, it struck a chord with me for sure. Music is supposed to bring out emotions and she def. has the ability to do that with this album. The lyrics, the voice… yeah copping her album seems like a good investment…
who said this was a “cult classic”? Surely someone who missed the lyrics to her latest song…they’re ridiculous. “I’m a sandcastle”?? She tries so hard…it reminds you of that paper you did in 4th grade with all the big words you didn’t know…
MAN IS IT JUST ME OR HER VOICE REALLY SOUNDS LIKE S_ _T!???????
I appreciate what she is trying to do as an artist…but it’s garbage to my ears :-/
I make no apologies…i obviously won’t be purchasing
Isn’t it grand, for a change, that soul music is being sung by a soul sista? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of blue-eyed soul, but I love hearing respect being paid to the legends of the past by brown-eyed folk. T.O.N.Y is just too much. It’s on loop in my brain like a high-fructose corn syrup high. Love me some Solange. Do it well.
wow! i am SOLD on ”i would’ve been the one” different! music! i love it!
copping that album!
i am copping the new solange on tuesday!! cant wait = )
im pissed white picket dreams didnt make the cut. this song better be a hidden bonus cut or somethin. just ruined my week. im not downloading shit – im pissed solos album was leaked. im def. getting it on august 26th
I listened to her cd on the Solange Listening Party and I love her cd from top to bottom it is worth my 10.80 on Tuesday from Target.
I love the vibe and style go Solange you are your God Given Name
meh.
I have always loved Solo! I pre-ordered my copy already. I love every song om the album. She is such a fashionista. She’s putting out the best videos of the year Solo is going to the top! Oh and she is real. Who doesn’t love an artist who can connect with the audience? GO GET THE CD!!!!!!!!