Chlöe misses the mark with “In Pieces”
Chlöe, one-half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, has released her debut solo album, In Pieces.
The 24-year-old rising star and protégé of Beyoncé, has finally released her debut solo album In Pieces, after a long wait. The album features a range of musical influences, including '90s R&B, pop-trap, and dream pop. Chlöe's vocals are one of the album's strong points, with her contralto voice shining on tracks such as Pray It Away and Make It Look Easy. However, the album's production is generally lackluster, with many of the tracks feeling manufactured and generic. Even Chlöe's collaborations with high-profile artists like Future and Chris Brown fall flat, with Missy Elliott's Told Ya being the only redeemable collaboration.
The album is full of generic singles that fail to showcase Chlöe's true potential as a vocalist. The album is riddled with redundant themes, mind-numbingly online songwriting, and abstract references to unfaithful men. While some of the album's tracks are promising, many feel formulaic amd boring.
The album also suffers from a lack of cohesion, with the interludes and narrative intros feeling out of place among the redundant themes. The album's overall theme appears to be about a good-for-nothing man in Chlöe's life who keeps betraying her. She's torn between giving it to God or shaking some ass to show him what he's missing.
Despite its flaws, In Pieces has some standout tracks. Body Do is a flirty and upbeat dance track with ethereal falsettos that serve as a convincing introduction to Chlöe as a pop star. Another great track is the title track which delivered beautiful operatic aria showcasing Chlöe's vocal range and vulnerability. In Pieces would have definitely made for an excellent intro track with a more cohesive concept album.
Chlöe would have benefited from including previous singles like Treat Me and Have Mercy on the album. Have Mercy was definitely a memorable debut and got fans excited for what’s to come. The fact that Chlöe delayed her album release and changed it completely affected its reception by the public. In Pieces falls short of expectations, leaving listeners with no clue who Chlöe actually is, even though we have known her for a while now. The album really misses the mark and fails to showcase Chlöe's full potential as a solo artist. While Chlöe's In Pieces shows promise, it ultimately misses the mark. The album's production feels formulaic and the lack of cohesion detracts from its potential impact. Better luck next time?
