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When I Get Home

When I Get Home is the fourth studio album by American , released on March 1, 2019, through her independent label Saint Heron and . The 19-track project was surprise-dropped with minimal advance notice, marking Knowles' first full-length release since her critically acclaimed 2016 album A Seat at the Table. It serves as an experimental blend of , neo-soul, and Southern musical influences, including , , and , centered on Knowles' reflections on her Houston, Texas, roots. The album's concept revolves around themes of , Black identity, and personal evolution, with Knowles questioning "how much of ourselves do we bring with us versus leave behind" in her artistic journey. Recorded primarily in , it incorporates local cultural elements through samples of spoken-word interludes featuring figures like and , as well as contributions from rappers such as and . Knowles wrote, performed, and executive-produced the record, collaborating with producers including , , , and Devonté Hynes. When I Get Home features guest appearances from a diverse array of artists, including on "Down with the Clique," on "Binz," on "My Skin My Logo," , , Panda Bear, , and . Accompanying the audio release is a 34-minute directed by Knowles and Alan Ferguson, presented as an experimental that premiered alongside the music, emphasizing immersive storytelling through Houston-inspired imagery. The project extended into live experiences, including pop-up events in on March 3, 2019, and video art installations at institutions like the in and the in .

Background and composition

Writing process

When I Get Home was written and executive-produced by , who drew inspiration from her roots to create an album centered on emotional expression rather than explicit messaging. Unlike her previous album A Seat at the Table, where she had "," Knowles focused on feeling during the creative process. The project began with improvisational jam sessions in involving drummer and synth player , where Knowles started melodies acapella on a before building chord progressions and inviting collaborators. Editing formed the bulk of the production, comprising about 80% of the effort, as Knowles refined hours of into concise tracks, including ad-libs. Influences included Houston's music pioneered by , Stevie Wonder's score for Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, and Knowles' childhood experiences in church, evoking themes of spiritual energy. She emphasized repetition as a tool to reinforce mantras, stating, "The real joy and the real celebration was in those jam sessions." Knowles also incorporated community voices, sampling poetry from and insights from , reflecting a collaborative homage to .

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of When I Get Home explore themes of homecoming, identity, and personal evolution, with Knowles questioning "how much of ourselves do we bring with us versus leave behind." Centered on her origins, the album delves into Southern life, celebrating elements like , , and community resilience through spoken-word interludes featuring figures such as , , and local artists. Themes of self-expression and rebirth draw from Knowles' childhood memories, including a pivotal church camp experience confronting spiritual darkness and light, reimagining belonging and solitude. The lyrics emphasize alertness and vitality in Black existence, as in tracks asserting awareness to stay alive, alongside feminist empowerment and . Repetitive structures reinforce emotional mantras, blending personal with cultural homage, such as in "My Skin My Logo," which affirms "Black skin, black braids / Black waves, black days." Overall, the portrays home as a for and growth amid external pressures.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of When I Get Home began in Houston, Texas, ' hometown, and continued in temporary studios set up in Airbnbs across (particularly Laurel Canyon), , and other locations. executive-produced the , writing and performing most elements herself while collaborating closely with a core group including drummer and multi-instrumentalist , who contributed to nearly every track. Additional producers involved included , , , Devonté Hynes, Jamire Williams, Chassol, and Standing on the Corner.) Sessions emphasized an improvisational approach, often starting with extended jam sessions lasting 25 to 30 minutes without click tracks, capturing momentum through continuous one-take recordings. These jams were later edited down to form the album's tracks, with Knowles refining the material meticulously. The atmosphere was curated with mood boards featuring images of cowboys and crop circles, alongside elements like candles and to foster creativity. Some contributions, such as Panda Bear's drum performance on "Binz," were recorded remotely in .

Musical arrangement

When I Get Home blends , neo-soul, and Southern musical traditions including , , , and techniques, reflecting Knowles' roots. The arrangements feature deep bass landscapes, eloquent chords, soft harmonies, and jazzy improvisations, often with overlapping verses, repeating tones, and occasional static effects evoking an old television. Knowles employed vocal overdubs to create chord progressions, singing syllables slowly and layering them into melodies and loops, drawing from techniques inspired by and . Spoken-word interludes sampled from Houston cultural figures like and add narrative depth, integrated seamlessly into the production. Guest appearances, such as on "Down with the Clique" and on "My Skin My Logo," incorporate diverse rap and electronic elements, while tracks like "" highlight live drumming and atmospheric builds. The overall sound prioritizes propulsion and immersion, with a runtime emphasizing concise, evocative pieces.

Release and reception

Album context

Solange announced When I Get Home on February 28, 2019, via social media, stating it would be released at midnight that night through her label Saint Heron and . The 19-track album was surprise-dropped with no prior singles or promotional campaign, marking her first full-length project since A Seat at the Table in 2016. Accompanying the audio was a 34-minute directed by and Alan Ferguson, available exclusively on , which premiered as an experimental short film blending music with Houston-inspired imagery. The release extended into immersive experiences, including pop-up listening events in on March 3, 2019, and later video installations at venues such as the in and the in . On the charts, the album debuted at number 7 on the , selling 43,000 album-equivalent units in its first week as of March 2019.

Critical reviews

When I Get Home received widespread critical acclaim upon release. At , the album holds an average score of 89 out of 100 based on 24 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim." awarded it 8.4 out of 10 and named it Best New Music, praising its "unhurried, ambient, and exploratory" nature that conjures a " of the mind" through blends of , , and guest features like , while noting it lacks the clear thesis of A Seat at the Table but rewards repeated listens. Variety described it as a "challenging yet satisfying follow-up," highlighting Solange's control over production and themes of empowerment and , though some tracks feel like sketches without standout singles. Critics generally lauded its meditative quality and ties to Houston's , positioning it as a bold in Solange's discography.

Legacy and covers

Cultural influence

When I Get Home received widespread critical acclaim upon release, earning a Metacritic score of 89 out of 100 based on 25 reviews, which solidified Solange's status as a generational voice in contemporary R&B and neo-soul. The album was ranked highly in year-end lists, including number 5 by Pitchfork and number 2 by Time magazine, and later placed 81st on Pitchfork's list of the best albums of the 2010s. The project has been praised for its innovative take on the format, blending experimental production with reflections on Black Houston identity, including the city's heritage and resilience following . Accompanying visual elements, such as the 34-minute film premiered in venues like Unity National Bank, emphasized immersive storytelling and community history, influencing discussions on and Southern Black cultural narratives. A of the film, featuring an additional track "Dreams (Demo/2)," was released on December 12, 2019, and a remastered version became available on the Criterion Channel in March 2021. As of 2025, the album continues to be cited in analyses of R&B's evolution.

Cover versions

As of November 2025, there are no widely documented cover versions of tracks from When I Get Home. The album's experimental structure and niche appeal have led to more focus on official remixes and samples rather than traditional covers, though fan interpretations occasionally appear in live performances and online communities.

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