It’s been three years since Solange Knowles released True, a seven-tracker full of funk-laden pop songs that saw her tour with collaborator Dev Hynes and score praise across the board. Fast forward past the most stylish wedding and a whole lot of New Orleans dream life living, and things are pretty damn optimum. Except, politically speaking, they’re not. Which is why, in the current climate — particularly for black Americans — her new record A Seat at the Table is incredibly welcome. The socio-politically motivated masterpiece centers on those far too often disregarded, and invites the rest of the world to pull up a chair and take note. Today, Solange released two new music videos to accompany the record.
Album opener “Cranes in the Sky” chronicles the struggle of trying to drink, dance, work, sleep, and read the pain away. Solange’s gentle songbird vocals dance over a simple production, as she herself glides across stunning landscapes in the fresh new visual. The video’s styling jumps between floaty and metallic — mirroring its pairing of organic and architectural locations.
Meanwhile, the subject of “Don’t Touch My Hair” is quite literally the uninvited hand. Her crown, her halo, her beautiful, natural hair is hers. Full of Sampha, warm lighting, and impressive dance moves, there’s a church-like feel to the video, and we’re more than down to worship the record. With both visuals directed by Solange herself in collaboration with Alan Ferguson, A Seat at the Table comes complete with a 100-plus page e-book of poetry and photography. A Seat at the Table features the likes of Kelela, Dev Hynes, Moses Sumney, Kelsey Lu, Lil Wayne, and Knowles’ parents. Meditate on that.
Credits
Text Frankie Dunn