Solange leans into her Houston roots on 'When I Get Home'

Houston is at the center of When I Get Home, the new album from Solange. Houston is at the center of When I Get Home, the new album from Solange. Photo: Max Hirschberger Photo: Max Hirschberger Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Solange leans into her Houston roots on 'When I Get Home' 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

Solange is paying tribute to where she’s from — Houston, to be exact — on “When I Get Home.”

The singer and style icon dropped her fourth studio album at midnight Friday. It’s her first since 2016’s critically acclaimed “A Seat at the Table.”

A series of events are scheduled Sunday to celebrate the album throughout Houston at multiple locations, including St. John's Church, The Ensemble Theatre, Project Row Houses and more. Fans can RSVP online.

QUIET ON THE SET: Solange's video crew takes over Third Ward street

"Y'all! I'm filled w so much joy right now!!! Wow! I can't thank y'all enough for this moment and for all the feelings I feel in my body!" she wrote Thursday on Twitter.

"I'm bringing home with me everywhere I go y'all and I ain't running from sh** no more. Your love lifts me up so high. Thank you!"

The track list includes references to several Houston locations: "S McGregor," "Almeda," "Binz," "Beltway" and "Exit Scott." Solange and sister Beyoncé grew up in Third Ward. See below for complete tracklisting.

On first listen, "Stay Flo," "Dreams" and "Way to the Show" are standouts. The album has a silky R&B vibe, more sensual and relaxed than "A Seat at the Table." Opening track "Thing I Imagined" has a Janet Jackson glow.

"When I Get Home" includes appearances by Houston icons Devin the Dude ("Dreams") and Scarface ("Not Screwed!") and samples Houston sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad and poet/activist Pat Parker, who grew up in Third Ward and Sunnyside.

A press release calls the album "an exploration of origin" and says it "asks the question how much of ourselves do we bring with us versus leave behind in our evolution."

Joey Guerra writes about music and pop culture for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter. Send him news tips at joey.guerra@chron.com.



