The Rundown: Kelly Rowland, Talk A Good Game

The singer is pretty honest on her latest LP. Is it enough?

Kelly Rowland, Talk a Good Game - Kelly Rowland showed a more vulnerable side this year with Talk a Good Game, her fourth solo studio LP, which includes the confessional single "Dirty Laundry" and revealing tracks — for mature ears only — like "Freak" and "Kisses Down Low." (Photo: Republic Records)

1 / 16

The Rundown: Kelly Rowland, Talk a Good Game - Since the break-up of Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland has been trying to catch a buzz outside of her DC sister Beyoncé's shadow. And, having released three LPs that have not quite made a mark, Ms. Rowland finally made folks take notice with a bold wide-open approach on her latest offering Talk a Good Game. Here's track-by-track look at the project which promises to bring the singer to the forefront.  (Photo: Republic Records)

"Freak" - "Mirrors on the ceiling. Cameras on the corners of my bead," Kelly sensually croons on the opening track. This mature expression of sexuality is a befitting opener for the singer's most personal LP.  Helmed by  producer Nate “Danja” Hills (who  exec. produced this LP), this is a synth-heavy walk on Ms. Rowland's wild side.  (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

2 / 16

"Freak" - "Mirrors on the ceiling. Cameras on the corners of my bead," Kelly sensually croons on the opening track. This mature expression of sexuality is a befitting opener for the singer's most personal LP.  Helmed by  producer Nate “Danja” Hills (who  exec. produced this LP), this is a synth-heavy walk on Ms. Rowland's wild side.  (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Kelly Rowland - Before she became a solo pop icon, Beyoncé’s star shined so bright that she often left her Destiny’s Child band mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in the shadows. But now that Kelly’s releasing her own material, from her 2011 No. 1 blockbuster “Motivation” to her new single, “Kisses Down Low,” listeners are finally basking in her glow as well.   (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Ketel One)

3 / 16

"Kisses Down Low" - Nothing is lost in translation when it comes to this bouncy ode to cunnilingus. Atlanta-bred producer Mike Will Made It helmed this lead single, with its shimmering keyboard work and come-hither kicks. Some may call this track a bit crass, and others may hear it as hip hop-inspired expression of sexual freedom. Ether way, Kelly Rowland puts it out there, to say the least. (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Ketel One)

"Gone," featuring Wiz Khalifa - Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" spurs the opening melody (and chorus) of this cut about Kelly telling her lover that she's out the door ("Cause you don't know what you got 'til its gone"). Playing the kicked-to-the-curb beau is Wiz Khalifa, who puts his plea in a rhyme at the end.   (Photos: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images; Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

4 / 16

"Gone," featuring Wiz Khalifa - Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" spurs the opening melody (and chorus) of this cut about Kelly telling her lover that she's out the door ("Cause you don't know what you got 'til its gone"). Playing the kicked-to-the-curb beau is Wiz Khalifa, who puts his plea in a rhyme at the end.  (Photos: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images; Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

"Talk a Good Game" Featuring Kevin Cossom - "I don't want to see myself play the fool," Ms. Rowland confesses to a potential beau who she wants to be true. T-Minus produced this title track's coiling rhymes and lilting keyboard flourishes while rapper Kevin Cossom joins in to add some street edge.   (Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

5 / 16

"Talk a Good Game" Featuring Kevin Cossom - "I don't want to see myself play the fool," Ms. Rowland confesses to a potential beau who she wants to be true. T-Minus produced this title track's coiling rhymes and lilting keyboard flourishes while rapper Kevin Cossom joins in to add some street edge.  (Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Kelly Rowland @KELLYROWLAND - Tweet: "At @TasiasWord listening session! Hell-of-a record!!! So proud of her & Harmony Samuels! Everyone be sure to get 'Side Effects of You'"Kelly gives a big up to Fantasia, who featured the Destiny's Child singer and Missy Elliott on her "Without Me."(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Courvoisier)

6 / 16

"Down on Love" - A rolling snare and bass accompany this track's rising melody as Kelly Rowland sings about having given up on amour. “We want two different things at two different times," she sings. "You know how the story go / Easy come easy go.” Not one of the most memorable cuts, but it is one that will grow on you.  (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Courvoisier)

Kelly Rowland: February 11 - Fresh off her killer Super Bowl performance, the former Destiny's Child member celebrated her 32nd birthday with a lunch date with BFFs Beyoncé and Jay-Z.  (Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

7 / 16

"Dirty Laundry" - A break-out song for Kelly, this cut had the web buzzing about her opening up about the jealousy she felt for Beyoncé's success. “Kinda lucky I was in her shadow / Phone call from my sister what’s the matter / She said, 'Oh no / You gotta leave' / I’m on the kitchen floor." One would doubt it prudent to be so honest in the digital age. But the emotions are truly felt. (Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

"You Changed," featuring Beyoncé and Michelle Williams - Yes, there is a Destiny's Child reunion within this track where Kelly, Beyoncé and Michelle grab a verse to diss a clueless ex. Here, Kelly shows grace, sharing the spolight with her DC sistren. And, vocally, all three shine. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

8 / 16

"You Changed," featuring Beyoncé and Michelle Williams - Yes, there is a Destiny's Child reunion within this track where Kelly, Beyoncé and Michelle grab a verse to diss a clueless ex. Here, Kelly shows grace, sharing the spolight with her DC sistren. And, vocally, all three shine. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Kelly Rowland  - Whether she’s sporting her sassy new bob or Diana Ross-worthy spirals with the help of extensions, Kelly makes every look her own.  (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

9 / 16

"I Remember" - "They say, when it's over, you know when it's over," Kelly Rowland sings on this cut, which acts as the LPs' dance tune. Kelly doubles the pace and livens the atmosphere with this dancefloor banger where she mourns the loss of love. Though Kelly won't be thinking about it for long when the beat kicks in. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

"Red Wine" - On this jam, Kelly gives us a noteworthy cut, throwing it back to the '80s and the sound of dance-able funk acts like The Mary Jane Girls. Electro-R&B is scrapped for live drums and ethereal syhtn chords. "Red Wine" was made for the cookout.   (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

10 / 16

"Red Wine" - On this jam, Kelly gives us a noteworthy cut, throwing it back to the '80s and the sound of dance-able funk acts like The Mary Jane Girls. Electro-R&B is scrapped for live drums and ethereal syhtn chords. "Red Wine" was made for the cookout.  (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
"This Is Love" - Listening to this track its clear that Kelly has returned to "cloud nine" as she intensely confesses her feelings for the man she is madly in love with. Those looking for the emotional song on this LP will rejoice upon hearing it.   (Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

11 / 16

"This Is Love" - Listening to this track its clear that Kelly has returned to "cloud nine" as she intensely confesses her feelings for the man she is madly in love with. Those looking for the emotional song on this LP will rejoice upon hearing it.  (Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

"Street Life," featuring Pusha T - "Ohh, there go my baby daddy, pulling up like, 'Ay Girl!" Kelly begins this Pharrell-produced homage to the hood. The chanteuse sassily breaks down the street life over this choppy and infectious beat. And offering a rhyme for this ghetto narrative is Pusha T. (Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; John Ricard/BET)

12 / 16

"Street Life," featuring Pusha T - "Ohh, there go my baby daddy, pulling up like, 'Ay Girl!" Kelly begins this Pharrell-produced homage to the hood. The chanteuse sassily breaks down the street life over this choppy and infectious beat. And offering a rhyme for this ghetto narrative is Pusha T. (Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; John Ricard/BET)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/04/Music-4.1-4.15/040511-music-kelly-rowland.jpg

13 / 16

"Stand in Front of Me" - For this ode to finding true love, Pharrell, who also produced this one, was inspired by the doo-wop era. When asked how do you hold on to a good relationship, Kelly responds: "You just do it / Mean it / Prove it." This might just well be a new love anthem.   (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Brad Barket/PictureGroup

"Sky Walker," featuring The-Dream - Kelly and The-Dream trade vocals and verses on this catchy tune about why a dude needs a strong hood chick in his life.   (Photos: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for ELLE; John Ricard/BET)

14 / 16

"Sky Walker," featuring The-Dream - Kelly and The-Dream trade vocals and verses on this catchy tune about why a dude needs a strong hood chick in his life.  (Photos: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for ELLE; John Ricard/BET)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/10/Music-10-01-10-15/101112-music-kelly-rowland.jpg

15 / 16

"Put Your Name On It" - Even though this track is close to the end of the LP, it could easily be considered a standout with its soaring keyboard work and love march rhythm. And topping it all off is Kelly's longing vocals, which ebb and flows with each flourish. In other words, she rocks this love triumph. (Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Photo By Graham Denholm/Getty Images

"#1" - Once again, Kelly is dismissing an unfaithful beau because, of course, she discovers she can't be "#1" (what else?). Seeing that this ground was covered earlier in the album, this track has an undoubtedly throw-away feel as there's not much to distinguish this cut from the others.    (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

16 / 16

"#1" - Once again, Kelly is dismissing an unfaithful beau because, of course, she discovers she can't be "#1" (what else?). Seeing that this ground was covered earlier in the album, this track has an undoubtedly throw-away feel as there's not much to distinguish this cut from the others.  (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)