Beyoncé dropped her 5th album over night last Friday, unbeknownst to anyone. She skipped the months of campaigning and marketing that usually precludes an official release date. In fact, the self-titled album shattered sales records on iTunes topping the 800,000 mark by Monday morning. The fact is, singles were not for individual sale. For any of the 14 tracks and 17 videos, consumers had no other alternative than to buy the entire album, priced at $15.99. Genius.
After succumbing to the Wal-Mart Black Friday Conspiracy a month ago, I decided to play the commercial guinea pig again, by downloading the self-titled “Beyoncé” from iTunes. As my laptop screen took me through verification prompts, repeatedly asking me, “Are you sure you want to buy this selection,” I thought to myself, please let this be good.
In short – Beyoncé brought it!
This album is for the deep thinker. There are no bubble gum tracks or bubbly tunes that a kindergartener could memorize after a play or two here. “Beyoncé” isn’t about selling popular music, it’s about expression. With this one, you’ll get to take a look into her mind, and it’s exhilarating!
For the first time, the 32 year-old shows us a clearer picture of who Beyoncé Knowles Carter really is (and who she isn’t), and as of December 2013, she’s officially an artist.
“Pretty Hurts” addresses our nation’s obsession with an absolute definition of what “pretty” actually is. She says, “Perfectionism is a disease…it’s the soul that needs surgery. “Haunted is a dark tune that depicts the notion that the singer seems to be alluding to experiencing a dose of reality. “I’m climbing up the walls ’cause all the sh*t I hear is boring. All this sh*t I do is boring. All these record labels boring. I don’t trust these record labels. I’m torn.”
“Drunk In Love” is an energetic, yet sexy piece featuring the hubby. With its deep bass and perfect blend of highs and mids, the lyrical visual is sure to satisfy! “Blow” is an 80’s style pop tune that asks listeners to “solve the riddle.” You’ll never eat Skittles the same way again!
In “Jealous,” Bey emerges from the everyday submissive lifestyle of a compliant lover and turns the tables. “Sometimes I wanna walk in your shoes, and do the things that I never ever do.” She says, “Tonight I’m staying out til’ tomorrow, dancing on them tables. I ain’t got no cares, no sorrows.”
“Rocket” is a rather “Janet-esque” seduction ballad. The provocative single brings a mixture of familiar sounds of the likes of Prince, Maxwell, and D’Angelo. This is the one you’ll play on repeat.
It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to an album all the way through, and this one is a winner in my book.
Minimize this window, head to iTunes, buy the album, then come back to this screen, like, share, and follow me on Twitter!
