December: 18 albums you need to hear this month

Solange 'A Seat At The Table' (Saint Records/Columbia)

“Be weary of the ways of the world,” is Solange’s delicately crooned warning on the second track of ‘A Seat At The Table’. It’s understandable why she makes such a statement, given her father’s description of segregation as a child and her mother’s dismay at being unable to celebrate black culture without being called “anti-white” in the LP’s interludes. The struggles of black Americans is the main theme as she tenderly says she’s “got a lot to be mad about” on ‘Mad’ and defiantly claims “this shit is for us” on ‘F.U.B.U’. But instead of venting her frustration atop rage-fuelled instrumentals, a mix of calming melodies, synth twinkles and gentle piano chords take precedent. Album number three is her finest, and most topical, yet. Dave Turner

9/10