Trin-i-tee 5:7:According To Chanel

As part of gospel trio Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Chanel Haynes has matched sanctified lyrics with lustrous jams that rival the best of TLC and Destiny’s Child. On her first solo outing, she retains her group’s God-centered perspective and R&B-influenced approach while bringing a more explicitly autobiographical focus to her songwriting. Trin-i-Tee 5:7 According to Chanel comes from a very personal place as it addresses issues of faith, love and redemption. “Prayer” (an intense piano-centered ballad), “Superstar” (a fiery upbeat track reflecting on the cost of fame) and “Friends” (a softly shimmering tribute to her bandmates) rank among the most self-revealing tunes Chanel has ever recorded. Musically, she finds new ways to express Bible-rooted truths that ought to both please and surprise longtime Trin-i-tee fans. “He” smolders to a deeply passionate groove that suggests Mavis Staples at her heyday; “Larry” brings in muted jazz tones with the wistful sophistication of vintage Roberta Flack. Chanel binds these shifting textures together with her praise-filled lyrics and an openhearted attitude that invites listeners to join her in worship.