I’m about a full day late on hearing Kelly Rowland’s “Dirty Laundry”, but from what I briefly learned online by excitedly scrolling down for updates, was that this new track from Talk a Good Game would be an extremely autobiographical ballad that finally reveals how she felt seeing Beyoncé run the world and even revelations of a past abusive relationship. Beyond eager to hear the song, especially after reading some lyrics in which The-Dream, who co-penned, actually has Kelly cursing out her frustration, I made sure to be all ears this morning.
Once the song had completed its 5-minute run, my praise for the song joins the rest. Musically, there’s something very ’90s R&B about its stream-of-consciousness beat that’s mellowed yet contains plenty of suspenseful piano drops, reminding me of Sparkle’s “Be Careful” in particular. Vocally Kelly’s voice sounds agonized but determined. When was the last time Kelly sang so willing and contemplative in a song? What could’ve been a caterwauling attack on hardships and best friends, “Dirty Laundry” arrives at a good place in Rowland’s career. Since her first solo LP Simply Deep in 2002, she has achieved success at last as Kelly, following 2011′s lascivious “Motivation” and its fun album Here I Am. Back when DC3 were the number one girl group in the world however, there were always thoughts of when it would be Kelly’s turn to shine. We all thought, while watching them on MTV and on magazine covers on which she was conveniently placed to the side of a certain blonde-coiffed bombshell, what about Kelly? Seemingly, Beyoncé was universally loved, but there’s always love and hope for the underdog, which without Kelly’s consent was awarded to her. With each single released, we wondered, would this be the one for her?
Based upon the gale of reactions that were written, fans and curious listeners alike displayed a near relief at Kelly admitting some kind of jealousy towards Beyoncé’s omnipresence, which I found telling and break-able of how Kelly had been perceived up until “Motivation” earned her a Grammy nod without her band mate’s name to be found anywhere on the credits. In “Dirty Laundry” Kelly is mature but honest about those past feelings of inadequacy. Still referring to Mrs. Carter as her sister and happy for her reign, the reflexes have been as if Kelly somehow owed us an explanation on her misery. I unclothed a near jubilant layer at Kelly acknowledging defeat, being second best, and an implosion of envy, nevermind her lyrical inclusion of her experiences with a lover that became a living nightmare (bring DC3′s track “Girl” into perspective). It was like all the compliments were overzealous chants of “C’mon…admit it…you’re jealous! Let it out!”
“Dirty Laundry” has been heralded as “brave” and “strong”, and rightfully so. While the beginning to end sound of “Dirty Laundry” is a departure for Ms. Kelly, wouldn’t you feel the same if you and Michelle were dressed in red, but Beyoncé was in yellow, like in the “Survivor” video? Couldn’t Michelle or Kelly at least be given a different color of their own? Kelly and Michelle were treated as the sons of Beyoncé, and it was never fair, making lyrics like “Kinda lucky to be in her shadow” a heartrending afterglow to be seeped in as the audience. Upon hearing, you’ll want to cheer Kelly’s long-awaited tell-all of hurt and victory on, even if at times, the track is so real on reflecting those issues of feeling as if you’ve been hanged out too dry so many times than you’re comfortable with.
The playfully sexual “Kisses Down Below” was chosen as the first single for Talk a Good Game, but it looks like “Dirty Laundry” will be the track to really get fans frenzied and supportive of her solo work because Kelly exposed herself as something we all can relate to through her music: I’m human.
–C. Shardae Jobson (@lavishrebellion)
