The face of the Neptunes, with Chad Hugo taking a less upfront role, Pharrell Williams has delayed the release of his debut solo album In My Mind several times over the last 12 months. Originally intended to be a double-album – with one half modern r ‘n b and the other rap-focussed – it has finally been released in a pared-down single set.

Of course, needless to say, it’s far too long. The fifteen tracks come in at bang on an hour, and is spotted with guests – Gwen Stefani adds the hook for openers and single “Can I Have It Like That?”, while hip-hop luminaries such as Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Kanye West appear alongside relative newcomers such as Star Trak protégés Slim Thug, Pusha T, and pop-hopster Nelly.

Needless to say, the beats are the best – “How Does It Feel?” rocks off a tight drum beat, while “Best Friend” bleeps and blips with the best. But what is stark in its absence is the lack of killer tunes. Nothing on In My Mind particularly stands out or wows, but instead merely exists.

It’s strange then that “Frontin’”, his debut solo single from a couple of years back, is not included here – it would make for an exciting moment. Instead, that comes with the excellent pop of “Angel”, and the Jay-Z guest spot “Young Girl”, which melds seamlessly into “I Really Like You”, and features a knock-out hook and chorus. Too frequently, the songs on In My Mind just don’t wow as they should.