It’s been a great, if not surprising, year to be a Beyoncé fan.
She has thrown away the traditional pop rules and has done things on her own schedule. First she sprang her ‘Mrs. Carter’ tour on us and now, right in time for Christmas, the sudden release of her self-titled fifth album.
As an added incentive, it’s a ‘visual’ album, with each song (and interlude) getting its own music video. The videos are all unique in their own way, and are all pretty impressive, regardless of the quality of the song.
Beyoncé rarely plays it safe, and this album is quite experimental in its content. There are not many up-tempo songs and even they do not have the immediate impact that made ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘Crazy In Love’ such big hits.
Joint first singles ‘Blow’ and ‘Drunk in Love’ are arguably the catchiest of the lot but there’s plenty elsewhere to whet one’s musical appetite. ‘Partition’ is quite Aaliyah-ish and ‘Flawless’ is hard hitting RnB. On the poppier side of things, ‘XO’ and ‘Pretty Hurts’ are sure to scale the top of many charts worldwide.
‘Beyoncé’ isn’t all gems though, with some videos completely overshadowing the music; ‘Superpower’ for example, has too much of an outlandish video for such a simple song whereas ‘No Angel’ cannot even be saved by its ‘Beyoncé chilling in Brunswick’ storyline.
Nevertheless, Beyoncé should be congratulated for pulling this off. Unlike her contemporaries in Britney and Christina, she has stood the test of time and continues to up her game.
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Anonymous says
Totally agree with what’s said about Christina and Britney in this post. What a big pile of dog doo doo their last album’s were.
Anonymous says
beyonce sang over pre-record track. she was singing live too.
that’s why she pulled of her earphone. she coudln’t hear her voice well because of recorded track vocal.
If you listen carefully you can hear 2 vocals.
and indeed, beyonce wrote destiny’s child biggest hits like independt women, bootylivious, survivor herself. which every body seems forget.
(and before anyone come for me at this, check the producer’s interview)
Anonymous says
Anonymous #2: All good not liking Beyonce’s music; but I seriously doubt your judgment if you’re putting Third D3gree anywhere in Beyonce’s league – that’s plain delusional!
Anonymous says
Haha not sure I agree with Anon #2 but I am not a fan. Continuous claims to songwriting credits without input, miming but going to every effort to get away it (did she have to pull out the earphone during that Obama performance?!?!) and passing other artists ideas off as your own – no thanks Beyonce.
Anonymous says
<<< Haters to the left.
Perfect album. Perfect songs. Perfect videos.
Anonymous says
Never ever gonna get this album i have a problem with beoncye everyone thinks she’s so good she’s not and that’s what really grinds my gears with her + her song are terrible halo 1 GOOD HIT crazy in love is bad but third d3gree did it perfect
Anonymous says
the first single is Xo tho..