So I’ve been a Chloe x Halle fan for a minute, and their acclaimed 2020 album “Ungodly Hour” felt like a natural progression from their debut album that showed that the “kids” had grown, writing-wise, production-wise, and subject matter-wise. Increased fame has presented the opportunity for the sisters to take a brief break from the duo and focus on solo ventures, both in the music and acting realms.

Despite personally feeling underwhelmed by some of her singles over the past year or so, I will still interested to see the big step forward Chloe would take with her debut.

“In Pieces”, however, sounds more like a side-step to me, or even a step backwards. It’s not bad, but it’s not super special and it doesn’t give me a clear picture of who Chloe is – stylistically and musically – apart from Halle. Beyonce, whose guiding hand helped shape “Ungodly Hour” and the duo’s early career into what it was, feels shockingly absent from this album. I assume it’s because she’s got her own album to promote and a world tour, but if I’m being honest, her input is sorely missed.