★★★★★★★★★★
10/10
When Beyoncè released the trailer for her mysterious HBO special entitled Lemonade, we had a hunch that something was about to go down. After days of waiting, pondering and listening to other Bey tracks in anticipation, we got our TV special - and a brand new visual album.
She has become somewhat of a queen when it comes to releasing content with no warning and luckily for us, she's done it again. It became obvious whilst watching the special that we were watching the beautiful forming of a brand new album and the finished masterpiece was uploaded to Tidal immediately, as well as the HBO special.
Without spoiling the TV special for those who haven't seen it, we're going to go straight in and review Lemonade.
SUMMARY COMMENT: Lemonade is a fierce creation, channelling pain, relationships, happiness, politics and anger. We hear RnB, rock, heartbreaking ballads and even country in what is undoubtedly Beyoncè's most impressive album to date.
When Beyoncé released her self-titled album back in 2013, she managed to reach a new level of creativity that we'd never heard before. Lemonade offers twelve tracks that build on that creativity, whilst being one of the most politically important bodies of work to date.
Track-by-track review:
1. PRAY YOU CATCH ME
The perfect introduction. Pray You Catch Me starts off breathy and has us waiting in anticipation for what's to come next. Then, 'you can taste the dishonesty / it's all over your breath' - her and Jay-Z's marital issues are immediately applied into what turns into an emotional ballad, with an empowering beat. The music video ends with with B jumping off of a building, ending with her asking 'what are you doing my love?'
2. HOLD UP
The moral of Lemonade became clear in Hold Up... Don't piss Beyoncé off. Somehow, she's managed to produce a song that is bubbly and reggae inspired, but is actually full of anger. She sings: 'what a wicked way to treat the girl who loves you' as she commentates on her visibly unfaithful relationship.
3. DON'T HURT YOURSELF ft. Jack White
We've had a ballad, we've had a bit of reggae and now we have a rock masterpiece. Don't Hurt Yourself sounds like a final warning to her husband, ending on 'if you try that shit again, you gonna lose your wife'. This is the first collaboration on the record, Jack White brings his unique and exaggerated rock style to the table in this passionate, brutal track.
4. SORRY
Don't let the title mislead you, Beyoncé is far from sorry. She is an independent woman who has control over her life and she sure as hell can have a great life without a man. We question the future of the couple's marriage as she says 'today I regret the night I put that ring on', in a jumpy and empowering track that many people can relate to. The video features tennis superstar Serena Williams, who looks amazing.
5. 6 INCH ft. The Weeknd
This song stood out for me, for a number of reasons. Stepping away from her marital issues, we indulge into this brilliantly feminist song. In what felt like the longest intro ever on the HBO special, I almost screamed when her raspy, sexy voice breathed 'six inch heels, she walked in the club like nobody's business. God damn, she murdered everybody and I was her witness'. The song is perfectly tailored for The Weeknd, acknowledging all the hard-working women out there.
6. DADDY LESSONS
Track six, Daddy Lessons, is a completely unexpected country-inspired track that shares a story of strength and family. The song, which was almost entirely produced by Bey has immense crossover appeal, emphasizing just how much power she has. We learn about her younger years with her father and how he taught her to be the strong, empowering woman we know.
7. LOVE DROUGHT
This slow and haunting track is a beautifully produced love song, moving away from her marital struggles. The track features enchanting percussions and radiant sensuality. Love Drought rekindles the love in what she describes as an insecure relationship. The music video is visually stunning.
8. SANDCASTLES
Beyoncé had us all in tears back in 2013 with the release of Heaven and she's done it again. Sandcastles is a heartbreaking, radiating pain and is undoubtedly one of her strongest ever vocal performances. The music video and lyrics give off the impression that there is a new-found hope in what seems like a broken relationship.
9. FORWARD ft. James Blake
Forward is just over a minute long, regrettably. The track, featuring English singer James Blake, manages to perfectly connect with Sandcastles, sounding like a step forward in their relationship. Bey pretty much hands this track to Blake, in the collaboration you never knew you needed.
10. FREEDOM ft. Kendrick Lamar
Yes! Freedom is a powerful anthem and probably the most politically important, along with Formation. Critically acclaimed Grammy award winning rapper Kendrick Lamar features, in this soulful, rocky track. Both artists have been prominent speakers about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement and this song takes a huge stance. The end of the song features reference to the album title via. Hattie White, saying during a speech on her 90th birthday: "I was served lemons, but I made lemonade."
11. ALL NIGHT
The final brand-new track on the album, All Night is full of positivity and love. Although she ponders on her unfaithful relationship, there is a level of determination there to make things work. The track samples a horn sequence from SpottieOttieDopaliscious by OutKast, which was also used in her 2013 hit, ***Flawless. The track is a refreshing end to what is at times, a brutal album.
12. FORMATION
We've all heard Formation, right? The lead single, which was released in February, is probably still the most culturally significant track on the album. Bey shows that she is proud of her roots. Her performance at the Super Bowl was met with controversy for supposedly "attacking police", which is absurd. We all know the performance was Flawless.
Lemonade is full of pain, anger and redemption and is an ultimately fierce album. Again, Beyoncè has amazed us with her creativity and has shown us that she has the power to address important political issues through her music.