“Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams,” released August 26, is the sophomore album from Solange Knowles. Though she shares Beyoncé’s last name, she is in a league of her own on this album. She is a lover of music, taking influence from all genres including blues, jazz, pop, disco, and different periods of music from the 1960s -1980’s. Solange was very involved in this album, as a songwriter, producer, and arranger. She wrote songs for her superstar sister Beyoncé including “Upgrade U” and “Get Me Bodied.” The songs featured on this album are about relationships, love, and the insecurities women have.

She is very honest and vulnerable and carries her energy throughout the whole album. This album includes collaborations with The Neptunes, Mark Ronson, Cee-Lo, Raphael Saadiq and Q-Tip just to name a few. From the first song “God Given Name” she starts off by letting us know she is not her sister and that they both travel in two different directions. The only featured artist on the album, Bilal, joins her in an eclectic, soul track, “Cosmic Journey”. Then she shows some vulnerability in “Sandcastle Disco,” “I Decided,” and “T.O.N.Y.” This album is different because it’s not your average R&B sound, but if you’re open to something new, give it a try.

• Charissa Young