For an artist last seen playing the clown on the UK X Factor 2 years ago (a role much better suited to actual clown Nicole Scherzinger), Kelly's recent single "Dirty Laundry" seemed to come from a much less mass-appealing place. An uncharacteristically cold but characteristically sparse production from The-Dream provided an empty canvas for Rowland to paint a brutally honest and squirmingly blunt account of her experiences of post-Destiny's Child life, particularly dealing with Beyoncé's rise to solo fame and simultaneously an abusive relationship. It was as refreshing as it was uncomfortable to listen to, and the first real sign of Kelly Rowland stepping out as a solo artist.
The subsequent album "Talk A Good Game" speaks even further volumes about the importance of fearlessness and self-expression as a solo artist, as opposed to the terrifyingly shallow and money hungry US pop market Kelly has often associated with. "Talk A Good Game" takes less to nothing from the Guetta Dance or Schmaltzy R&B of her past and associates more with organic, soulful and gorgeous Post-R&B, and before you disregard this as a sad attempt at maintaining relevant, consider that Kelly has the songs to back up the choice. Not to mention the style suits her simmeringly sexy lower range down to a T.
It's not perfect, the album begins somewhat colourlessly with tracks like uninteresting first single "Kisses Down Low" and the anonymous electropop of opener "Freak", but it warms up considerably as "Dirty Laundry" ushers in a string of heartwrenchingly gorgeous tunes including the glorious Dreamgirls-sized "You Changed" featuring her old band mates, the fragile and ethereal Europop of "I Remember" and the seductive "Red Wine", which showcases a aching and emotional depth to Rowland's performance that the showy, worldwide brand Beyoncé could never quite perfect. And it comes from a long-standing personal struggle and insecurity that the most successful Destiny's Child member couldn't possibly relate to.
BEST TRACKS: Dirty Laundry, You've Changed, I Remember
FOR FANS OF: Drake, The-Dream, Beyoncé
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