Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams
by Solange
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Aug 26, 2008
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    80
    In spots, it sags, and a couple tracks seem more like sketches than neatly bundled songs, yet it's one of the year's more entertaining and easily enjoyable R&B releases, fronted by someone who does not take herself all that seriously.
  2. Billboard
    70
    On her sophomore set, Solange not only takes on a sound that differs from her pop-driven 2002 debut, but demonstrates that unlike her sister Beyoncé--who she vehemently refutes comparisons to on 'God Given Name'--she has no reservations about sharing personal experiences.
  3. Boston Globe
    70
    This is such a smartly executed, classy set of songs that's miles away from the hoochie pop being turned out by young female R&B vocalists these days.... As long as she keeps things flowing and upbeat, things hum and only the two gauzy ballads (including a duet with the undervalued Bilal on 'Cosmic Journey') miss the mark.
  5. cokemachineglow
    67
    Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams is as silly, day-glo, eccentric, and all over the place as its title.
  6. Dot Music
    80
    Elsewhere the album could be either too relaxed or too eccentric for many. But it's a fine, rich and extremely likeable record, nonetheless, and it deserves to find its audience even without that famous surname.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The younger Ms. Knowles cooks up tasty variations on old-recipes. [5 Sep 2008, p.77]
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  8. Hartford Courant
    70
    Solange combines retro warmth and current cool in ways her more commercially successful sibling probably can't.
  9. Hot Press
    80
    The various elements are spun like syrup round a spoon; creating a deliciously moreish concoction, the sort you’ll want to dip into time and again.
  10. Pitchfork
    73
    It's not a case of Solange performing best when she jettisons her ambition, but rather her need to find a way to let her avant inclinations work with rather than against her pop instincts, and maybe the best way for that to happen is to let the former emerge organically through the latter.
  11. Rolling Stone
    50
    Solange simply doesn't have the pipes to pull off her songs, and her attempts at "mystical" psychedelic-soul (the six-minute-plus opus 'Cosmic Journey') are embarrassing.
  12. Slant Magazine
    70
    Venturing off into the unknown plays well for Solange--the mix of organic, old-school instrumentation and more electronic elements makes for a loose, fun and reverent record.
  13. The Guardian
    60
    Sol-Angel is savvy R&B with a gloss you can check your reflection in, but it falls short of what she intended: to make the record Dusty Springfield or Minnie Riperton would have made, were they around in 2008.
  14. The New York Times
    70
    This is a peppy album, rich with thumping horns, crisp percussion and light piano melodies. As homage, it’s impressive. But Solange can’t quite keep up.
  15. Urb
    60
    Sol-angel and the Hadley St. Dreams boasts Thievery Corporation at the production helm, giving little Knowles' album a sophisticated sonic texture of jazzy pop, lounge inflections, and brassy drama.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 3 out of 37
  1. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 28, 2021
    3
    An interesting though sometimes derivative homage to 70's motown . The songs have the confidence and swagger of a veteran. Though it isAn interesting though sometimes derivative homage to 70's motown . The songs have the confidence and swagger of a veteran. Though it is sometimes pandering it makes it up in its length and ambition.… Full Review »
  2. DougD.
    Aug 31, 2008
    6
    Decent album but it's a bit too derivative of pretty much the span of Diana Ross' career. From the upbeat big drum Motown to the Decent album but it's a bit too derivative of pretty much the span of Diana Ross' career. From the upbeat big drum Motown to the more seductive 70's era, she'd pretty much covered that part of DIana Ross' career. It also reflects in the "I Decided" video. I guess Beyonce's sister doesn't want to be known as Beoynce's sistem because she wants to be known as a Diana Ross wannabe.… Full Review »
  3. JarrellC.
    Aug 29, 2008
    10
    I heard "ChampagneChroniKnightCap" and "White Picket Dreams" about a year and a half ago, and I have been anticipating this album since then. I heard "ChampagneChroniKnightCap" and "White Picket Dreams" about a year and a half ago, and I have been anticipating this album since then. The wait has been well worth it. Solange's creativity is unbelievable, and I am totally blown away by this album. It is better than anything Beyonce has ever released as a solo artist. Yes, I said it. It's fresh, the lyrics are great, and the vocals are amazing. Definitely check out "Ode to Marvin," "Cosmic Journey," "Would've Been the One," "Sandcastle Disco," and "This Bird."… Full Review »
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