nanmourinho

The biggest weakness that has plagued R&B since the ascendance ofhip-hop: the absence of melodies as distinctive as the rhythms andvocals. The first single, "I Decided, Pt. 1," is a case in point:It's set to a finger-snapping Motown beat, but the two-chord changejust gets old, instead of old-school. When there's a hook to hang ahat on, as on "Sandcastle Disco," the results can be charming, andeven some lesser tracks, like the Muscle Shoals-leaning "T.O.N.Y."survive via the lost art of storytelling.

Most welcome are moments that look beyond past and present. "CosmicJourney," a lovely, space-age love song with Bilal, is a twinklingMilky Way away from Solange's sister, and finds her inhabiting herown galaxy at last.