Pharrell's Going Solo

Pharrell Williams has been everywhere for the past year or so — "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke and T.I., "Get Lucky" with Daft Punk, "Happy" with some little cartoons that looks like Twinkies — which makes it surprising that he hasn't put out an album of his own for eight years. But that will change very soon because Pharrell announced he is releasing a new album, G I R L, on March 3. In a statement about the album Pharrell said,

When Columbia Records presented me with the opportunity to make an album, three things came to mind. One was the sense of overwhelming honor that I felt when I realized that they were interested in partnering with me on the album that I had always dreamt of making. Two, it would have to feel festive and urgent. And three, I instantly knew it would be called G I R L. I hope you like it.

"Festive and urgent" is an amazing description and, strangely, it's easy to know what he means if you've heard some of his other music. ("Can I Have It Like That?" from Pharrell's first album sounds "festive and urgent" to me.) G I R L will be Pharrell's second solo album following 2006's In My Mind. The album is said to feature his Academy Award-nominated song "Happy" from the movie Despicable Me 2 which he will perform at the Oscars a day before the album is released.

In addition to his statement, Pharrell also released a 30 second promotional video which shows him working on the album while an orchestra plays. It ends with him shedding a single tear which drips out slowly from behind his sunglasses. It's pretty dramatic. If it makes you ask, "But why is he crying?!" then you'll just have to buy the album to find out, won't you?