The best kept secret in 2013 goes to Beyonce and her team for managing to keep tight lipped about what would have been the most anticipated album of the year. Last week, Beyonce graced us with her self-titled fifth studio album after a two year wait since her last.
This album is the first of its kind being that every song has a video to accompany it, making it a 'visual album' - in Beyonce's words. It is also the sexiest and most experimental album that Beyonce has ever created and though it may not be 100% radio friendly, it is definitely deserving of a lot of success.
Pretty Hurts
A very powerful song. The clear message of the song is that trying to conform to societies standards of beauty is really difficult and a lot of pressure for women when it is really what's on the inside that counts. It is a message we have heard countless times before by many female artists but the delivery is so strong and fresh that it feels brand new.
The video is perfectly fitting, with Beyonce playing a beauty pageant contestant who undergoes plastic surgery, a strict exercise regime, pops diet pills and suffers from bulimia all in the hopes of winning the crown.
Haunted
Beyonce goes all experimental on this track with it living up to its title of being haunting. Some may say it seems to be a homage to Madonna and Justify My Love which becomes clearer once you watch the video.
Beyonce roams the corridor of a grand and spooky hotel (looking fierce in her suit) and peers into the other guests rooms where she finds a lot of strange scenes. Visually this was stunning to watch and really brings the song to life.
Drunk In Love feat Jay-Z
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What is a Beyonce album without a little Jay-Z feature. Although this is not one of Jay-Z's best verses, it doesn't matter when the rest of the song is outstanding. In fact, this might just be my favourite track.
The bass and production is perfect for a club mix, the hook is hella catchy and this is the first taste of the sexy lyrics we can expect to hear throughout the album.
The video is brilliant also. Nothing too extraordinary, just the King and Queen of hip-hop dancing and embracing on a luxurious beach but coupled with the song it really is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Blow
Another favourite of mine - Beyonce goes all out naughty with lyrics like 'keep me humming, keep me moaning' in this 80's disco throwback track. It's obvious that Pharrell produced this track and when the beat drops just under 3 minutes and Bey asks you to 'turn that cherry out' the song moves to another level of fierceness.
The accompanying video is equally fun with Beyonce attending a roller disco with her sister and dancing around the rink in neon lights and skimpy hot pants.
If this wasn't so x-rated lyrically it would need to be a single.
No Angel
Beyonce sounds truly angelic - no pun intended - on this song in particular. It doesn't necessarily stand out within the album but the lyrics and repetition of 'you're no angel either' is really heartfelt and a softer moment in the epic Bey album.
The video is lovely too. Beyonce takes a moment to acknowledge her home city, Houston, with shots of cars, people and places in that area as well the Queen herself looking all types of fierce.
Partition
A Sasha-fierce moment if ever I heard one...although now she seems to have been renamed Yonce.
Bey goes above and beyond on this track when delivering the provocative message of, well, sex in the back of a limo. This sees a far more risque side of Beyonce being explored yet she manages to do what many female artists have failed this year and keep it classy !
The video features Jay as he watches his girl get down and dirty like only she can and we are not made about it.
Jealous
A more forgettable song amongst an album of outstanding gems but it is still an above average song and a well above average vocal.
The video may lack in a clear story until the end where Beyonce runs into the arms of her lover, I assume, for an emotional reconciliation. But it is still watchable and very well directed - and the reference to Freakum Dress is genius.
Rocket
Another very sexual exploration of relationships and femininity from Beyonce as she playfully invites us to explore her body in the almost explicit video.
Although this doesn't win prizes for being a catchy, interesting or powerful song it will certainly become a member of the bedroom playlist for many.
Mine feat Drake
Thanks to his tribute to Bey with James Fauntleroy earlier this year, Drake got a call to be featured on this amazing album on one of the best songs.
His influence on the track is noticeable, with comparisons being drawn to Take Care but its transgression between ballad and mid-tempo and the personal lyrics shared by Beyonce make it slightly more interesting and unexpected than a Drake song could ever be.
The video is more artsy than any of the previous visuals as Bey throws around imagery, symbolism and metaphors to explore the theme of the song which seems to be the near break-down of a relationship.
XO
This is the most radio friendly song on the album and has many elements that make it sound familiar like the
gospel style chorus and the uplifting sentiment.
It's a harmless and cheerful song which can't help but a bring a smile to your face as Beyonce celebrates the innocent joys of love.
It is also my favourite video from the collection because it feels so effortless. Yes, I love the creativity and hard-work that goes into all of her videos but watching Beyonce and her friends spend the day at the funfair and just have fun without the extravaganza of costumes or dance numbers makes a refreshing change.
***Flawless feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
The opening sequence is nothing new to us. Beyonce released it as a preview titled
Bow Down which had a lot of feminists critiquing the apparent superiority message conveyed in the aggressive lyrics. However, now with the addition of the second half of the song and the beautiful feature from Nigerian poet Chimamanda, the song takes on a whole new meaning. It not only stands as a female empowerment piece but also, seemingly, a tongue in cheek attack on beauty as Bey repeats sarcastically 'I woke up like this'.
As for the video, Beyonce keeps it simple with a black and white underground setting and a little dance number but it's the strong attitude Bey exerts which makes the
Superpower feat. Frank Ocean
Yay! Frank Ocean is back and he is alongside the Queen Bey on this brilliantly powerful track. It may described as a slow-burner and a bit of a grower because on first listen it didn't make much of an impact on me; however, the amazing vocals from both artists and the subtle production make it quite a beautiful song.
It's unfortunate that Frank doesn't appear in the video but that is all forgiven because we do get to see Kelly, Michelle and Pharrell...and Beyonce with green hair.
Heaven
A very emotional number that will no doubt be played at many funerals and for many moving TV sequences. It is possibly one of Beyonce's biggest ballads as she mourns the loss of a friend and whether this is based on a real experience or not, the pain really shows in the vocals.
The video is just as you'd expect, Beyonce remembering happier moments with her close friend as she attends her funeral. It is a sincere moment of vulnerability which offers a nice break from the sultry and sexual side of Bey being revealed on much of the album.
Blue feat. Blue Ivy
As a closing song, this is perfection especially when Blue adds her own vocals and laughter at the end. It is a lovely tribute from mother to daughter and the simplicity of both the song and video bring the album to a fitting conclusion.
It's also nice to see that Beyonce looks happiest and the most stunning when she is just relaxing on the beach with her daughter.
If Beyonce is hoping that this project will show her fans and music critics that songs are great to listen to but are made even stronger and more effective when you can visually see the message and story of the song, then she has been successful. This will act as a game changer for the music industry and it will be interesting to see how record labels and other artists react now that it has been proven albums can be prevented from leaking early if you do it right.
*****
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