Media Review: A Seat at the Table by Solange Knowles
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Vulnerable, Expressive, Powerful: The Many Facets of this Gem of an Album
A true testament to personal growth and maturity, A Seat at the Table is Solange Knowles personified — strong, informed, talented, and undoubtedly unapologetic. The third full-length album by Solange Knowles, A Seat at the Table serves as a remarkably themed body of work that speaks to the black experience of a woman in modern America. Racial identity is at the forefront of this album, questioning social norms and attitudes towards black people. The 21-track project shines brightIy as Solange utilizes both personal experience and the experiences of other African Americans as her muse. Solange is proud of being black and everything that comes with it, no matter how you feel about it.
Solange delivers with help from Raphael Saadiq, the second co-executive producer of the album, and a musical genius in his own right. Strong R&B influences are apparent, along with cues from funk, jazz, and neo-soul music. A Seat at the Table is a treat to listen to, and just feels good. While serenading the listener with a soft, cooing tone reminiscent of a dove, she manages to deliver powerful messages meant to be understood and not to be forgotten. “Don’t Touch My Hair” is representative of this, as she wants the listener to understand that she and other blacks are whole individuals, and are meant to be respected and treated fairly aside from external appearance. In a white-dominated society, black women especially feel they are denied ownership and responsibility of their bodies and are viewed as objects free from discretion; “Don’t Touch My Hair” speaks solemnly but fervently about the issue. “Don’t You Wait” speaks of an issue personal to her growth as an artist, and how she had to cut people out of her life that proved to be poisonous to her journey to personal betterment and self-expression:
“…Essentially, when I was writing ‘Don’t You Wait,’ I feel like the overall essence of that song, [outside of that singular incident] was also to friends of all colours that I had that I may have had to exit from my life in order to evolve and heal. These were people or friends, in general, that I felt like were maybe holding me back from being my greatest self” (Maynard, 2016).
“Borderline (An Ode to Self Care)” mirrors the current issue of police brutality concerning blacks in America, and the constant yearning for change. Mindful use of bass served as an appropriate vehicle for the message being conveyed in the song. While calling the body to groove to the music, the ease of the lyrics act as a call to action; if you are seeking change, get up and do something to promote change on your own terms:
“We been lovers on a mission (all the way) / But what’s love without a mission?” (Knowles, 2016, track 14).
Interludes featuring Knowles’ mother, father, and family friends including rapper Master P, Nia Andrews, and Kelly Rowland prefaced tracks to provide better insight into the topics that would follow. Each interlude was appropriately placed and provided even more depth to the album.
A Seat at the Table is certainly magical. With impeccable production and Knowles’ angelic voice, she creates a vibrant depiction of being black in today’s society with musical nods to both the past and present. The body of work shines light on the many facets of the black experience, cleverly hitting themes the general public shies away from. She also urges social change, pushing listeners to do more than converse. This unapologetically pro-black masterpiece carries something for everyone — Solange Knowles is definitely not stingy with her magic.
0 comments: