A Self Titled Triumph!
Beyoncé (2013)
1. "Pretty Hurts"
After being asked a question of what she aspires to be in life, Beyoncé answers that she wants to be "happy". It leads to this sorrowful ballad, written by Sia I might add. Sia really is an exceptional writer and composes a song that really defines the insecurities we feel about our looks and vanity. I especially like the lyric, "It's the soul that needs the surgery". So beautiful! It really is the inner beauty that matter at the end of the day and Beyoncé sings this song so wonderfully. This song should be heard by the young men and women who feel so insignificant every time they are told they are ugly. I love this song and it's message is paramount.
After being asked a question of what she aspires to be in life, Beyoncé answers that she wants to be "happy". It leads to this sorrowful ballad, written by Sia I might add. Sia really is an exceptional writer and composes a song that really defines the insecurities we feel about our looks and vanity. I especially like the lyric, "It's the soul that needs the surgery". So beautiful! It really is the inner beauty that matter at the end of the day and Beyoncé sings this song so wonderfully. This song should be heard by the young men and women who feel so insignificant every time they are told they are ugly. I love this song and it's message is paramount.
(A)
2. "Haunted"
After some old audio of Beyoncé winning an award, we get into this almost ominous sounding thumping beat and monotone as well as fast paced singing from her. Then the song transitions to a piano laced, thumping beat that is very soothing. The lyrics seem to be projecting the idea of a romantic encounter that transcends the physical and about connecting in a spiritual way. The lyrics are also kind of sexy with Beyoncé even mentioning her "wicked tongue" at one point. It's a pretty stunning track all together. You can tell this is a song that was inspired from her relationship with Jay-Z.
(B+)
After some old audio of Beyoncé winning an award, we get into this almost ominous sounding thumping beat and monotone as well as fast paced singing from her. Then the song transitions to a piano laced, thumping beat that is very soothing. The lyrics seem to be projecting the idea of a romantic encounter that transcends the physical and about connecting in a spiritual way. The lyrics are also kind of sexy with Beyoncé even mentioning her "wicked tongue" at one point. It's a pretty stunning track all together. You can tell this is a song that was inspired from her relationship with Jay-Z.
(B+)
3. "Drunk In Love" (Featuring Jay-Z)
Oh this sexy club anthem that made people want to raise their glass with their significant others, "Drunk In Love" is another hit making single that puts Beyoncé's sassy R&B flavor with her husband's hip hop infused, pyrotechnical raps that light the track on fire! This is just catchy, fun and intoxicating, making you really feel like you are so enthralled by falling in love. There is nothing else to be said. Stop reading this review and jam the hell out of this song!
(B+)
Oh this sexy club anthem that made people want to raise their glass with their significant others, "Drunk In Love" is another hit making single that puts Beyoncé's sassy R&B flavor with her husband's hip hop infused, pyrotechnical raps that light the track on fire! This is just catchy, fun and intoxicating, making you really feel like you are so enthralled by falling in love. There is nothing else to be said. Stop reading this review and jam the hell out of this song!
(B+)
4. "Blow"
"Blow" is obviously inspired by 1970's soul and disco with its slick and lavish production as well as Beyoncé's smoky vocal delivery. I think the video from the visual album really captures the essence of the song perfectly. Just a fun night out at a skating rink while looking sexy. Also, I get ALL of my life when she sings "I can't tell I get home so you can turn that cherry out" YASSSS Bey!!! I know I feel the same way sometimes. This song is such a lovely gem that echoes the days of Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. Listen and blow!
(A-)
"Blow" is obviously inspired by 1970's soul and disco with its slick and lavish production as well as Beyoncé's smoky vocal delivery. I think the video from the visual album really captures the essence of the song perfectly. Just a fun night out at a skating rink while looking sexy. Also, I get ALL of my life when she sings "I can't tell I get home so you can turn that cherry out" YASSSS Bey!!! I know I feel the same way sometimes. This song is such a lovely gem that echoes the days of Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. Listen and blow!
(A-)
5. "No Angel"
Beyoncé embraces her inner bad girl on this track that leaves me feeling more lukewarm than hot and bothered. It's not a bad song by any means I'm just not a big fan of it. The lyrics are fine and the chorus is actually really catchy but it just doesn't hold my interest like the other tracks on the album. I guess I'm no Angel either as I dislike this song overall and tend to skip it when I listen to the album. Meh, it's alright I guess.
(C)
Beyoncé embraces her inner bad girl on this track that leaves me feeling more lukewarm than hot and bothered. It's not a bad song by any means I'm just not a big fan of it. The lyrics are fine and the chorus is actually really catchy but it just doesn't hold my interest like the other tracks on the album. I guess I'm no Angel either as I dislike this song overall and tend to skip it when I listen to the album. Meh, it's alright I guess.
(C)
6. "Partition"
I love this double sided track from the gritty hip hop opener that is called "Yonce" on the visual album to the sleek R&B groove of the actual Partition single. This song is fierce child. Not to mention "Monica Lewinskyed on my gown" is such a dirty yet hilarious lyric that only Beyoncé could pull off! I even love the opening audio from one of her concerts when she demands her audience to call her Ms. Carter. "Hey Ms. Carter!" Love you girl!
(A)
I love this double sided track from the gritty hip hop opener that is called "Yonce" on the visual album to the sleek R&B groove of the actual Partition single. This song is fierce child. Not to mention "Monica Lewinskyed on my gown" is such a dirty yet hilarious lyric that only Beyoncé could pull off! I even love the opening audio from one of her concerts when she demands her audience to call her Ms. Carter. "Hey Ms. Carter!" Love you girl!
(A)
7. "Jealous"
I just adore "Jealous"! The smooth, sexy, oasis type beat with it's heartbreaking lyrics of Beyoncé being so envious of her lover in all his shady ways. It almost feels like a sequel song to "If I Were A Boy" in that sense and it is a great journey to take throughout this song.
(A-)
I just adore "Jealous"! The smooth, sexy, oasis type beat with it's heartbreaking lyrics of Beyoncé being so envious of her lover in all his shady ways. It almost feels like a sequel song to "If I Were A Boy" in that sense and it is a great journey to take throughout this song.
(A-)
8. "Rocket"
Beyoncé goes for sweet soul with this very lengthy track that talks about the joys of making love with such lyrics like "hold me til I scream for air to breath" and "rocket til water falls". Very steamy stuff and I like it a lot. But only issue is the song is a bit too long like I said, which makes it drag toward its mid section. But Beyoncé's liquid cool vocals will capture your heart nonetheless.
(B-)
Beyoncé goes for sweet soul with this very lengthy track that talks about the joys of making love with such lyrics like "hold me til I scream for air to breath" and "rocket til water falls". Very steamy stuff and I like it a lot. But only issue is the song is a bit too long like I said, which makes it drag toward its mid section. But Beyoncé's liquid cool vocals will capture your heart nonetheless.
(B-)
9. "Mine" (Featuring Drake)
Seems Beyoncé seem to be having some reservations about the continuation of her marriage with Jay-Z in this track (hmmmm, foreshadowing much?) I mean she even says at one point she hasn't felt like herself since the baby. Maybe a part of Bey wasn't ready for this stage of her life, that marriage and motherhood is a little overwhelming....but then she contently sings with Drake that her lover is hers...or mine. It's a pretty catchy song but the sad opening mixed with the lingering feelings of love and lust feel a bit jarring when juxtaposed to each other. Maybe I'm reading too much into the lyrics and should just enjoy the nice beat and the melodic tune? Yup I should, it's a pretty decent track overall. Just not one of my favorites. Even Drake's rap verse are underwhelming.
(C+)
Seems Beyoncé seem to be having some reservations about the continuation of her marriage with Jay-Z in this track (hmmmm, foreshadowing much?) I mean she even says at one point she hasn't felt like herself since the baby. Maybe a part of Bey wasn't ready for this stage of her life, that marriage and motherhood is a little overwhelming....but then she contently sings with Drake that her lover is hers...or mine. It's a pretty catchy song but the sad opening mixed with the lingering feelings of love and lust feel a bit jarring when juxtaposed to each other. Maybe I'm reading too much into the lyrics and should just enjoy the nice beat and the melodic tune? Yup I should, it's a pretty decent track overall. Just not one of my favorites. Even Drake's rap verse are underwhelming.
(C+)
10. "XO"
Awwww, "XO" is soooooooo cheesy it hurts. I can't even call it adorable as it just goes on with it's lighthearted fluff melody and lyrical sugarcoating. I mean it isn't bad, it's just a little too sweet for me. Yes Beyoncé, you love him like "XO", that's great but do you have to sound like such a love sick school girl about it.
(C)
Awwww, "XO" is soooooooo cheesy it hurts. I can't even call it adorable as it just goes on with it's lighthearted fluff melody and lyrical sugarcoating. I mean it isn't bad, it's just a little too sweet for me. Yes Beyoncé, you love him like "XO", that's great but do you have to sound like such a love sick school girl about it.
(C)
11. "***Flawless" (Featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
After an inserted audio from Star Search, we get this hard hitting ladies anthem that I can't help but put my hands in the air and cheer when I hear that badass beat drop! Beyoncé confidently sings about the pride she has in herself and in her native Houston before we get a lengthy quote from that woman who's name is almost unpronounceable. It's a great quote though, ending with a very strong definition of what feminist is. Then we get that epic bridge and infinitely catchy chorus. Child "I woke up like this/Ladies tell em!" is right! This is a stunning club banger for real and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
(A+)
After an inserted audio from Star Search, we get this hard hitting ladies anthem that I can't help but put my hands in the air and cheer when I hear that badass beat drop! Beyoncé confidently sings about the pride she has in herself and in her native Houston before we get a lengthy quote from that woman who's name is almost unpronounceable. It's a great quote though, ending with a very strong definition of what feminist is. Then we get that epic bridge and infinitely catchy chorus. Child "I woke up like this/Ladies tell em!" is right! This is a stunning club banger for real and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
(A+)
12. "Superpower" (Featuring Frank Ocean)
Beyoncé once again shows her inner strength...or in this case, her superpower that she has to withstand the hardships and strife of a tumultuous relationship. It's a lyrical strong song that has a beat that sort of glides and I like that. It's not one of my favorites but you can't deny the graceful ease that Beyoncé delivers this song with.
(B)
Beyoncé once again shows her inner strength...or in this case, her superpower that she has to withstand the hardships and strife of a tumultuous relationship. It's a lyrical strong song that has a beat that sort of glides and I like that. It's not one of my favorites but you can't deny the graceful ease that Beyoncé delivers this song with.
(B)
13. "Heaven"
This slow piano ballad begins the conclusion of the album as Beyoncé sings about losing a love one and it's quite sad actually. When you really listen to the lyrics as well as Beyoncé's vocals, you can hear the pain that exudes from Bey in this. It's a beautiful anthem for those who have been lost too soon. So to the ones going home, may you rest in peace until we see you again.
(B)
This slow piano ballad begins the conclusion of the album as Beyoncé sings about losing a love one and it's quite sad actually. When you really listen to the lyrics as well as Beyoncé's vocals, you can hear the pain that exudes from Bey in this. It's a beautiful anthem for those who have been lost too soon. So to the ones going home, may you rest in peace until we see you again.
(B)
14. "Blue" (Featuring Blue Ivy)
To finish things off, we get the titular "I'm a mother now song" from Beyoncé. It seems that when pop divas become moms, they can't wait to sing about! From Madonna to Adele, they have all done it to the point where I expect Janet Jackson to do the same if she releases another album after her baby is born. Anyway, this song is just as adorable as little Blue Ivy as well as the lyrics. I wouldn't expect anything less from Beyoncé when delivering a touching tribute to her little one. I even appreciate the echoes of Blue's voice at the end, calling out to her mother. What a nice touch and fitting farewell to the album.
(B)
To finish things off, we get the titular "I'm a mother now song" from Beyoncé. It seems that when pop divas become moms, they can't wait to sing about! From Madonna to Adele, they have all done it to the point where I expect Janet Jackson to do the same if she releases another album after her baby is born. Anyway, this song is just as adorable as little Blue Ivy as well as the lyrics. I wouldn't expect anything less from Beyoncé when delivering a touching tribute to her little one. I even appreciate the echoes of Blue's voice at the end, calling out to her mother. What a nice touch and fitting farewell to the album.
(B)
AHHHHHH, this album!!! Let's go back to December 2013 when Beyonce for the first time, out of no where, dropped her 5th studio album on Itunes!! I remember I was in L.A. and a friend of mine at time told me the album dropped and I needed to download it pronto! And truth be told, I was not disappointed...at all! "Beyonce" is a strong album that felt like a new Beyonce at the time. Featured along side the album was the Visual Album, which were filled with disturbing, daunting and frightening imagery. Just look at the "Haunted" video alone. The music itself? It proved to be Beyonce's most personal and pivotal yet at the time (until "Lemonade" of course) Sure she gave us the club jams but there was an undertone of propaganda to be had with the majority of the music. There was the social commentary of beauty standards in "Pretty Hurts", problematic relationship woes of "Jealous", the political party anthem "***Flawless" and the morally ambiguous "Superpower". The majority of the tracks have some type of self reflection or disconcerting point to make through through-provoking lyrics and vivid visuals. I really love the album, showing that themes that Beyonce had played with before; fully tackles here. Here, she is an unapologetic feminist that seeks to share a telling story about the ups and downs of being a female, with dark undertones and fascinating vulnerability. But was Beyonce thinking dropping the album so anonymously on Itunes without any release date or extended promotion?? This is the era where Beyonce began to be oddly "mysterious", releasing music as a way of the music promoting itself really. But would it work?? Could an album sale without any kind of hype or campaign behind it??? Well, her 5th LP went on to sell over 600,000 copies it's first week, becoming the album with the highest selling first week sales of the year. The album became a monstrous hit and sold over 8 million copies worldwide as well as becoming the fastest selling album in the shows history. But the true success to me, is this album as Beyonce really delve deeper to explore a more creative and freer side to her that seemed to not only show through in the music but the videos. Her acting just seemed so genuine and heartfelt. Just look for that moment at the end of the Jealous video when she runs into her man's arms...wow, I really felt that moment! Also, I'm glad she found the time the time to do a video for "Grown Woman", which is just a blessing in disguise. Though couldn't she have included an audio version on the actual album though! -_- But anywho....
"Opening up with her 5th chapter in her discography, the stunningly self titled "Beyonce" is a darker look into the popular popstar's private life by sharing her political ambitions as well as relationship centered tribulations that proved to be her most daring release yet at the time!"
(A-)
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