Beyoncé - Beyoncé (Album Review)

Beyoncé is the most captivating popstar around. She's one of few contemporary popstars who have managed to command the respect of music snobs, mainly due to her wildly entertaining Glastonbury set and ridiculously well produced tours; oh and of course the hit songs she's released over the years. She's maintained an element of mystique, keeping her private life under wraps and even when we are given a glimpse, it's just 'enough'. She's the ultimate musical persona of our generation and as her surprise fifth studio album Beyoncé illustrates, she isn't about to drop her crown any time soon. Beyoncé could very well be the album of 2013, no small feat considering it dropped 3 weeks before year end. It's the most experimental endeavour this artist has ever taken. It's packed with some truly beautiful electro-R&B tracks, dark piano balladry and even a naughty disco number.

As a result of this change in direction I'm sure she'll lose a few die hard booty shaking fans who were eager for another Run The World (Girls). As good as that song was after some time to grow, it wasn't anything we hadn't heard from Beyoncé before. There are only three songs on Beyoncé that remotely sound like a classic 'Beyoncé' moment. There are plenty of flirtatious lyrics and chat about her "phatty" (arse to you and me), only this time round these moments sound more authentic, honest and erotic. This is Beyoncé at her most sexy, most convincing and also at her most vocally impressive.

Rated Beyonce - Grown Woman

I finally heard the full version of Beyonce's new single 'Grown Woman' this evening, albeit at mediocre quality. It's been a long time coming; it must be pretty hard to put together a new album when you're popping out a baby, so I'll let her off this time. First thoughts are:

1. It's pretty awesome.
2. It's a better lead single than 'Run the World', which was an uber grower.
3. It's a brilliant track to tease a new album with. I only hope the album matches this quality.
4. It's a Beyonce song... always a bonus.
5. I want to dress in tribal garb, open a bottle of Prosecco and drunkenly bogle around my flat.

This is an amazing Timbaland production, with a distinct & memorable tribal arrangement. It's a blatant tongue in cheek number, which is nice because we get to see that Beyonce doesn't take herself too seriously (although she probably does). This is an instant 'like' for me, but I can see it softening even the hardest of Beyonce haters. Also, it performs fantastically well on tour:

Rated Roundup: Connor Maynard is awful and Beyonce's still fabulous!

There are so many new songs dropping out of the pop-womb right now I figured it would make more sense to just post 5 of them in one go. Some are good, some not so. Some are seductive, some about as appealing as a night in bed with Pat Butcher's corpse. The one thing I will say though, even if you can't tell right now, is that we are coming into the 'Summer Smash' season and I couldn't be more excited! 

Cover Drive - 'Sparks'

I was perplexed by their debut single 'Lick Ya Down', which deserves negative numbers out of 5 for its corny and simply awful lyrics and production. However, after a few weeks of 'Twilight' beating through the radio at work I became hooked to the 'Ooh la Ooh la' hook and Caribbean flavour of their second effort. Now they're back with a third assault on the charts and it's a bit like  a ballad version of 'What's My Name?' by Rihanna, with the gorgeous West Indian percussion floating about in seductive fashion. This is guaranteed to be big over here, with its summery sound being exactly what we need right now.

4/5

Beyonce - 'End Of Time'

It's been almost a year since 4 was unleashed and the rumours of a terrible album were quashed under the immense booty of one third of Destiny's Child. A string of singles (maybe 5?) later and we have had some of the most refreshing music to hit the charts in years. 'Countdown' was fantastic fun and its production unlike anything else around and '1+1' was stripped back and hypnotically nude. Now 'End Of Time' is being presented on its own and it's a glory to behold. Although we could have done with a funky music video to support it, this is one of the most fun and colourful songs Beyonce's every released, with its pounding military drums and blasting horn section, the lady seems unable to make a 'single' mistake.

5/5

The Saturdays - '30 Days'

I was a big fan of 'Heart Takes Over' but it failed to ignite the charts. In fact, The Saturdays were once filled with such promise, but seem to have fallen victim to genericism, which is causing their music to be relegated to the bottom end of the top 10. Could '30 Days' be the song to break this pattern and could it become their first number one? Probably not. The chorus is catchy and in places quite exciting, along with some pretty standard but refreshing dance-floor ready production. Unfortunately, the song is let down by some dodgy verses that feel like they were written as some Secondary school kid's music project, 'I woke up in the morning/felt so far away/marks on my calendar/don't hurry up the days...'. 

2/5

Connor Maynard - 'Can't Say No'

"The British Bieber" is what the critics are hailing this fame hungry youth from Brighton as. Great, just what we wanted. I don't really know where to begin, so I'll give the production a swift roundhouse kick to the face first. The beat is repetitive, uninspired and completely lacklustre. As for vocal performance, Connard is as convincing a singer as Bieber, that's for sure. Neither of them has any vocal 'oomph' and singing in one key doesn't count as young talent. You might not be able to say no Connard, but I can guarantee there's plenty rejection coming your way.

0/5

Fun. - 'We Are Young'

I was engulfed by this song the first time I heard it. It's already broken chart records in the US and it looks set to do big things on our side of the Atlantic too. It's a pop record by an indie band, only it's not a pop record. It's so confusing, because I know it sounds Indie and I know it sounds pop, but I just can't decide which it should be! Bugger it. Let's just say I love it! Big Indie-Pop-Somethingorother anthem of 2012.

5/5

Rated Party - A Winter Warmer

I said in my review of Beyonce brilliant 4 album that I thought the song 'Party' was "a pointless and oomph lacking song". I still stand by my point that 'Party' is not the best song in the collection, nor in Beyonce's vast back catalogue, but after seeing the video I appreciate it so much more.

J. Cole steps in and takes over from the horrible Andre 3000 rap segment, which is still a pointless addition to the song, but sounds so much better. I'm seeing a trend in my rating behaviour. If I don't like song, it's a guarantee I'll warm to it once I've seen the video (I love promo clips!) and that's just what's happened in this instance. 

I just cannot wait to see the 'End of Time' video. B gon' put it down, as Kelly would say.

Rated 1+1

In true Beyonce fashion, there are to be a number of music videos directed for both singles and non singles from her newest album 4. This is exciting and will keep my youtube playlist/favourites list full for some time. She did the same with her 2nd album B'Day and made lots of sexy videos for the songs from I Am... Sasha Fierce. A video for 'I Care' would be great B', thanks!

On a more title relevant note, the first non single to receive a video is track number one, '1+1'. The song itself is startlingly powerful and raw, with B's vocals on traffic stopping form. To emphasise the message of the song, there's now a mesmerising video to promote it. Hypnotic, sexy and dream like, the video for '1+1' is completely stripped back from the production spectacle of 'Run the World'. It's slow and erotically charged, but remains classy and tasteful like B always manages to maintain in her presentations. She seductively dances with a male, in leopard print underwear and manages to not look like a hooker. It's pretty damn beautiful as is the lady herself, her skin covered in glitter like a vampire from Twilight. This might actually be the most expressive video she's ever done.

HOT.

Rated Albums of 2011 So Far...

2011 has proven to be quite the year for pop music. Adele's 21 has become the biggest selling digital album in history and her single 'Rolling in the Deep' leaped to the number one spot in the UK and the US billboard Hot 100, which is quite a feat for a British solo female artist. Beyonce released her fourth album, the aptly named 4, which gave us the dancefloor grinding 'Run the World (Girls)' and a sex war video. The album sold bucket loads in its first week of release and has remained at number one in the US for two consecutive weeks (watch this space). Britney released her seventh studio album Femme Fatale, and although it's got some brilliant pop moments on it, it has not made the cut for the top 3 so far... count down.

1: Beyonce - 4

Ok, so this was predictable and I cannot deny I am a HUGE Beyonce fan. However, I am honest and the one thing I am honest about is that I expected this album to be horrific going on the previews I experienced and the comments of others. Thankfully it is a brilliant collection of original sounding pop music. Mixing 80s synths, pop, rock and rnb and some weird, almost experimental, electronic sounds, this is a fantastic addition to the record collection of 2011. Well done B. Read my full review here.




2: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

There was so much critical dismay before this album came along. Title track 'Born This Way' divided fans, more than any song has done in this century I imagine, but proved itself a success becoming her fastest selling single in the US. The album is nothing like her debut. Her vocals are more raw, authentic and powerful and the songs are ridiculously catchy euro-pop thumpers. 'Marry the Night', 'Hair' and 'Scheibe' are all deserving of accolades for best pop song. Read my review here.







3. Adele - 21

I didn't review this album, mainly because I didn't have time and now it's a little too late. Maybe soon? We all know it's amazing though, considering it's been played to death in just about every home in the UK and now the US. Look out for 'Someone Like You', 'Rolling in the Deep' and my own favourite, 'If it hadn't been for love'.

Rated 4

Beyonce surprised me when she released the epic ass shaker ‘Run The World (Girls)’. I then surprised myself by leaping from a venomous hatred for the song to an epic love that has me imitating the shoulder shudder on every dance floor I grace. You would think, going by what the lead single suggests, that the forthcoming 4 would be an album in much the same vein as past material. Lots of uber feminist and patriotic booty bumping a la ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)’ and some sexually charged grind like ‘Video Phone’. If you’re expecting any of the above then you’re about to be surprised, shocked and maybe even disappointed. However, what it lacks in sass and sex appeal, it makes up for with passion, aggression and determination.

Don't use 'Run the World' as a basis for judging this album, this is the best advice I can give you in relation to 4. It's the closer and although would have been nice as the introductory track, when you grasp the structure of the album you appreciate it as an ending. The tempo begins at zero but reaches climax when the Major Lazer sampler beats the doors of love down. So just sit back and relax and gird your loins for the epic finish. Don't do as I have done and listen to the critics who are saying the album is "horrific", "messy", "worst album ever". I have been pleasantly surprised by the final product and although there is one weak moment, by Beyonce's standards, this is a damn solid album.

Rated Run The World (Girls) - I caved.

Beyonce, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. My sincerest apologies. Be bffs again ye?

So... I caved and have fallen for the Queen B charm of 'Run The World (Girls)'. I slated it at first, but because I genuinely thought it was horrific. Now that I've watched the Billboard Awards performance 100 times and the music video even more, I have a new found appreciation for it. It's actually quite a fun, catchy, ass shake inducing track with bite. It's still, by no means, in the top 5 Beyonce songs of all time, but it's acceptable.

I am excited about 4, although not loving the album title. A tad unimaginative BB. The artwork is hot though.

Rated Run The World... a bit.

Ok, so I said I hated this song a couple of weeks ago. I still don't love it and it didn't move my world when it blasted through the speakers on Saturday night, but this performance at the Billboard Awards the other night is epic. Beyonce still cracks the jaws of all other performers out there right now, she's just got bite that not many others even have half of. The song is mildly more pleasant to my ears now, but still...it's by far my least favourite Beyonce single since 'Video Phone' with Lady Gaga.