The Wicked Wrath of Queen Bey!

Lemonade (2016)

1. "Pray You Catch Me"
...And we begin things off with this somber, saddening opener that sees Beyoncé coming to a devastating realization that her husband is not only lying to her but may have cheated on her. She prays that she hears him whispering and listening, aka that she catches him in the act of infidelity. It really is a gut punch to start off the album. The lyrics are wonderful with my favorite being the opening lyric "I can taste the dishonesty/It's all over your breath". Wow. You can really understand Beyoncé's pain and struggle here. Such a superb and outstanding track!
(A)

2. "Hold Up"
Beyoncé has went past denial and has gone into a state of optimistic joy at the fact she knows that her husband can't do better and that the woman (or women) he is fooling around with will never be as good as the love she has for him. I like the upbeat, Caribbean tone to the song. Beyoncé is really contemplating here; whether she should unleash her rage or if she should hide her jealousy. I love the melody of the song, so catchy and genius. But this is only the beginning of Beyoncé's turmoil train as we get to the next track...
(A)

3. "Don't Hurt Yourself" (Featuring Jack White)
Beyoncé is in straight fury mode here with this track that so cleverly mixes soul, funk and rock in its near flawless production. The subject matter being discussed here is simple: do unto others as they would do to you. Beyoncé sings with a vigor and strength that is amazing to hear, even with the added distortion in her vocals. The lyrics are anger ridden as Beyoncé is ready for full on revenge on not only the woman in question but her soon to be ex-husband it seems. This song is a true testament to Beyoncé's artistry. A riveting and breathtaking track! This album has already blown me away!!!
(A+)

4. "Sorry"
Beyoncé has now moved past anger and is content with not only moving on but having the most fun she has ever had in her life with this almost celebratory anthem. To say this song is catchy would be an understatement! When Beyoncé demands you to put your middle fingers up, you definitely will; remembering all the previous exs who did you wrong. "Sorry" is unapologetic in it's festive mood and that last line that has caused major controversy really is the best possible way to end the song. I don't know who "Becky with the good hair" is but I know if Beyoncé finds her, it won't be pretty! This is the perpetual "glory feels good when you let go" track and Beyoncé carries herself with such confidence, it's sickening. Masterful song!
(A)

5. "6 Inch" (Featuring The Weeknd)
Oh this is more than a stripper song as this song continues the triumphant tone of the last track! Beyoncé sings a telling tale about a young woman who busts her behind to make ends meet but releases all of her frustrations by going to the club. The Weeknd's feature is pretty superfluous though. Not that it is bad, it's just unnecessary. He adds nothing that Beyoncé doesn't already bring to this club blazer. I also love the monotone way she sings the song's hook, it just works so seamlessly with the beat and sleazy tone of the track. A work of art this one is!
(A+)

6. "Daddy Lessons"
This song is more than a country crossover track to me, that opening with the trumpets and other instruments gives me early 1920s speakeasy teas!! This song is such a time wrap for me, as it does remind me of that era and Beyoncé delivers this song so well you would think this was a song from that era. The song itself is a tragic tale of her father instilling some very violent lessons on his daughter, almost warning her about the upcoming pain she would feel in her life that her husband has given to her. It's very sad knowing that Beyoncé's father warned her about men like him, yet she ultimately ended up with a man who didn't love her enough to be faithful. This is one of Beyoncé's best songs with intricate instrumentation and excellent composition. Her vocals are off the charts!! And like her daughter says at the end, "Good job Bey!"
(A+)

7. "Love Drought"
You know, I use to think "Love Drought" was the worst track on this album. That it was the sluggish middle of the album that could have been left out. But after repeatedly listening to it multiple times, I realize just how powerful this song is. This is Beyoncé realizing she may have acted on her emotions too quickly and while she was mad, she had every right to be...but...she is willing to work things out as there may be hope for her and her husband. The lyrics are borderline cheesy, but rise just above good to become almost heartwarming. Beyoncé wants to make things right and is on the path to redeem her love. That...is very beautiful and brings a tear to my eye kind of.
(A-)

8. "Sandcastles"
Who said Adele was the queen of piano ballads?! [eek] This sensational track once again shows Beyoncé regretting the fallout of her relationship and her almost being in more pain that they aren't together anymore. Yes, she walked away, but her heart never left it seems and I feel it in every vocal delivery, every tear ridden lyric, every sigh, every knot in her throat, my God, poor Beyoncé.
(A)

9. "Forward" (Featuring James Blake)
This is a nice interlude as Beyoncé and James harmonize together. It really does conclude "Sandcastles" so well and works as a nice Segway to the next track.

10. "Freedom" (Featuring Kendrick Lamar)
This is more than just a political anthem as Beyoncé is talking about being free of the pain that she has endured for so long. She wants to be at peace to the point where the tears not only disappear but burn from her being reborn like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The lyrics are poetic and filled with so much layered meaning. Then you have Kendrick Lamarcoming in with a ferocious rap verse that elevates the magnitude of hype that this song is going for. I swear if you aren't chanting that chorus by the end, you should have stopped listening to this album a few tracks ago. What are you still doing here?! Freedom from my shade!
(A+)

11. "All Night"
Well, it took her a while to come to this point, but Mrs. Carter is ready to make up with her man and you can't help but sing along to her almost lullaby-esqe chorus that is so irresistibly catchy. Beyoncé realizes that not only does she need her husband but that he needs her even more. He needs her love to heal himself from the pain and chaos he has caused. He was stupid and impulsive but she knows that their love is unbreakable (ok wrong album and pop diva, hey Janet though!) "All Night" is one of those songs after a couple of drinks you sing to your former love after you realize they may have been your greatest love. What an insatiable track that wants listeners to feel the desire that Bey has in her to fix her marriage.
(A-)

12. "Formation"
Well, Beyoncé has raged, cried, been in denial, made up with her man and is on the path of forgiveness...so what's left?! Ummmm, getting in formation, that's what! It's time to dance and slay and I love every minute of this. This is a fun note to end the album on as it's the calm after the storm, some relief after the emotional journey the listeners have been on with Beyoncé and it's welcomed. She has every right to celebrate this personal victory. She deserves to be happy and get ALL of her life, ok. This is the joint that needs to be blasted in the clubs all night (ok, wrong track!)
(B+)

The time has come for me to talk about Beyoncé's most recent and honestly, her best album yet. "Lemonade" is a terrific trip into Beyoncé's maligned marriage woes as she discovers Jay-Z isn't the most faithful man in the world. He may have put a ring on her finger, but his penis apparently had other plans. Now one must wonder if all these allegations are true as Beyoncé comes off more than convincing singing it out for the fans and public. This could all be for the sake of her art but I think there is a hint of truth in the tracks on this album. Beyoncé has always been a mostly private star, with keeping her personal life a mystery for the most part. Sure we know about her marriage and daughter, but never has she been this open and honest with her fans. It seems she was using her music to heal her still open wounds and this is what makes a good artist great. When they are this open and personal to the point where you can relate. It's almost frightening that Beyoncé would say these things, but she seems to be all the better for it. I'm not even going to talk about Lemonade's current success or the singles (Even though "Sorry" being a single is a godsend). I want to talk about that groundbreaking "Lemonade" Film that came along with the album because it really is a powerful piece of cinema. I love the poetry and the visuals once again are astounding!! My favorite part has to be when Beyoncé commits suicide and falls into a room filled to the ceiling in water. It is a metaphor of Beyoncé's world not only ending but of her drowning in her pain. She is a mother, but she can barely think of her family when her heart has been ripped apart in the worst possible way. I don't know how else to say this but "Lemonade" is pop perfection. The right mix of madness, mayhem and moving music that really captures the essence of why Beyoncé is maintaining a longevity that can now be comparable to the artists that inspired her like Tina Turner and Janet Jackson. She is a visionary and a woman who has built a staggering empire on her own that seems to be getting better with time. "Lemonade" is a crowning achievement of the woman that Beyoncé has become over the years. A woman who has the common sense to let her music speak for her and that is what a real artist does. There was once again no promotion, no ounce of campaigning for this album. She just dropped it and let the Beyhive swarm to her as usual. I don't know what else to say. I'm STILL so blown away by this album and the more I hear it, the more I can't get enough of it. I honestly don't know how Beyoncé will top this This could be her magnum opus as it is filled with music that equally makes me want to cry as well as stand up and cheer. Well Done, Beyoncé! You truly are one of the rare artists out there now doing things so right! I'm so in love with you right now and your music continues to inspire a new generation of divas!  This is her wonderful masterpiece! This is why we are here after all, to listen to the music and decipher what it all means. The meaning is pretty clear but it's still so thought provoking when you delve deeper.

"Her 6th and best effort yet, "Lemonade" takes the sum of all of Beyoncé's inner turmoil as she lays out the consequences of what happens when one named Jay-Z incurs her wrath. This is a superbly produced, beautifully sung and confidently composed LP that shows that whether or not Beyoncé becomes Ms. Knowles again or stays Mrs. Carter, one thing will always remain, her music will always resonate with fans and the general public. Always!"
(A+)