Artist: Beyonce
Album: 4
Release Date: 6.28.11
After taking some time off to let her previous successes marinate throughout the music industry, Beyonce has returned with her 4th studio album, aptly-titled 4. Sonically this album is most similar to her debut project Dangerously In Love as there’s a very strong R&B presence in much of the music. In terms of content, I was pleased to hear that this project is significantly less generic pop fodder like its predecessors I Am …Sasha Fierce and B’Day and more “real” content that her audience can connect with and relate to. 4 is a step above her last two efforts, and it opens a door into a different side of Beyonce, allowing her to tackle the intricacies of love and relationships on this amazing new album.
I must admit, I was a bit thrown by the album’s lead single Girls (Run The World) and its use of Beyonce’s stale girl-power-anthem formula (click to watch the video), but it’s a standout on the album which is mostly powered by the slow jams and ballads. Girls is just a bit too busy; too many different elements and no distinction from her previous singles. Then there are songs like I Miss U, Rather Die Young and Start Over, that capture those tender vocal nuances that Beyonce tends to emote. The Kanye-produced Party features a guest appearance from Andre 3000 and is another highlight of the album. It has a very 90’s R&B type feel to it and a strong bass line driving the mellow vibe behind the track. A personal favorite is Love On Top, an upbeat record about the reciprocity of love, and it should definitely be a single; the production and the nature of the song gives me a Diana Ross flashback-type feel. Similarly, Best Thing I Never Had has great pop single potential. Longtime fans will gravitate to and admire her latest signature power ballad I Was Here (Diane Warren, Ryan Tedder), which bears a message of leaving your mark on the world – befitting of the iconic singer. End of Time has a fresh vocal sound on the vocals, yet something strikingly similar to her earlier Destiny’s Child work is heard in the harmonies and in the composition – but this is a nice record. Finally, I’d recommend Start Over and the soulful album starter 1+1, a stripped down ballad about devotion, previously performed on American Idol.
As with the aforementioned lead single, Countdown is the only other record that didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the album; it’s just too busy and sounds less involved. Countdown is an example of another generic record that really could’ve fit in better on a previous project.
This is Beyonce’s first album that will stay in heavy rotation for me since Dangerously In Love on the strength that the content is more mature and the sound is phenomenal. Collectively, the album is not as predictable as some of the early leaked tracks might suggest but pay attention to the vocals on this album – Beyonce has a way of “massaging” a song with her voice and that technique can be heard in a lot of the balladry. 4 takes a step in a different direction, veering away from pop and venturing more into her R&B side, which I think her fans should definitely appreciate. As one of the fans who complained about a lack of growth, I can definitely say 4 delivers what Beyonce’s been missing.
Sound-Savvy rates Beyonce’s 4 with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.
Everybody go to Youtube. Beyonce and Nicky Minaj are on a remix of her leading single Run the World Girls together. This guy name Fyuchur produced it. Its Hot!! Both of their fans love it
So glad I’m not the only one who felt like she FINALLY gave us what was so awesome about Dangerously in Love. It took me a couple of spins, but that’s because I wasn’t prepared for what 4 is really about after hearing “Run the World…”
I hope folks really get this album, because it’s fly. We need to prove we still know what good music is and respect it.
Yep, it’ll take some adjustment initially because we’re conditioned to hear a certain sound from Beyonce, but I was glad to see her change it up a bit.