1. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
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Entertainment & Music — December 18, 2013 at 7:43 pm Edit this post
A Look into “Beyoncé”
By Matthew Wright
International fandom reached new heights of excitement and then some when “Queen” Beyoncé released her self-titled fifth studio
album on ITunes, December 13th, 2013 with no warning. It was the finale to an already innovative year for promotional album
releases and Beyoncé served the world with a dose of BAM when she let out a small “Surprise” video on her Instagram! As an avid
Beyoncé fan myself, I just knew that I was in for a treat and oh did I get one.
328888 139 7365Tom Misch ‑ In The Middle Of The Night 2.50
2. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
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via Columbia Records
Beyoncé is a whole new experience coming from the seasoned artist. The album touches on the different aspects of her life: from
being a mother to little Blue Ivy to being in love with Jay Z, and finally to feeling empowered as a woman.
Inspired by her childhood love of watching Michael Jackson videos and enjoying his music as a complete experience, Beyoncé
sought to recreate this for her many fans. With it being her first visual album featuring 14 songs and 17 videos, it is Beyoncé’s most
complex work of art to date. It is also her most daring work, featuring a completely new sound that most fans wouldn’t normally
associate with Bey.
(Note… each song is rated based on a 1-5 scale of OH OHs… you know, from songs like “Crazy in Love,” and “Single Ladies.” If it
surpasses the 1-5, I had a little fun with it…ENJOY!)
3. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
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via Columbia Records
“Pretty Hurts”
Beyoncé has a niche for powerful empowerment ballads and this song does not disappoint. “What’s your aspiration in life?” asks a
beauty pageant judge to her character, Miss 3rd Ward (a reference to the area in Houston where she grew up) to which she answers,
“My aspiration in life would be…to be happy.” What follows next is the Preamble to this masterpiece of an album, a powerful
statement addressing the problems with body image politics and social pressure placed on women (“blonde hair, flat chest/TV says
bigger is better/South Beach, sugar-free/Vogue says, thinner is better”). This song is the perfect motivation for self-acceptance and
feeling good about oneself. Be prepared to belt this song every which way.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH!!!!
“Ghost/Haunted”
In this weirdly interesting medley, fans are finally introduced to the mystery mastermind that is BOOTS and what better taster than
in this poetic pairing of songs (just titled Haunted in the audio version). In the spoken-word intro, Beyoncé comes for the music
industry and its weakness for not stepping out of the status quo (“All the s**t I do is boring/All these records labels boring/I don’t
trust these record labels/I’m touring”). Beyoncé’s sultry voice plus some spooky ghostly effects, occurs after, giving the most non-
conventional moment in the entirety of this album. Whatever floats your boat Queen Bey, I dig it.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH!!!!
via Columbia Records
“Drunk In Love (Feat. Jay Z)”
Yass happily married couple giving a little TMI on their drunken escapades, but the world still loves it. “Drunk in Love” is the
perfect song to vibe to as audiences get yet another glimpse into the couple’s obviously great sex life. Beyoncé wails out “love” so
sensually that it makes you cringe the first time you hear it and of course Jay Z delivers a stellar performance himself, with lyrics
4. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
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(“We sex again in the morning/ Your breasteses is my breakfast/ We going in/ We be all night”). The video does all the justice to this
song, with Bey in the sexiest bathing suit feeling herself and having a great time with her husband. Can we say, “Pass me a cup of
whatever they are having.”
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH and a TOAST to the QUEEN!
via Columbia Records
“Blow”
With an all-star dream team, comprised of duo Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, production by Pharrell, and crazy sexy vocals from
Beyoncé, this song could do absolutely no wrong. By far Bey’s most risqué song to date with naughty lyrics (Can you lick my
skittles?/ That’s the sweetest in the middle/ Pink that’s the flavor/ Solve the riddle) it will definitely have you saying “OH NO SHE
DID NOT.” The video is set in an old school neon skating rink, providing a fun feel to an already groovy song. Beyoncé proves that
shaking all types of hips and then some is not impossible in roller skates. Definitely my favorite!
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH and a HAIRFLIP!
“No Angel”
(“Know I’m not the girl you thought you knew and that you wanted/Underneath the pretty face is something complicated”) This
testimony from the Queen B shows that she realizes that she isn’t perfect, a declaration made over and over again in this falsetto-
filled song. The video for this song takes fans back to Houston. B brings in the city’s rap icons, like Paul Wall, while also showing
the day to day of the people of Houston. Nevertheless, Beyoncé gives it to us straight: marriage has its highs and lows and definitely
takes work and dedication, but boy does it have its rewards.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH!!!
5. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
http://nupulsemagazine.com/a-look-into-beyonce/ 5/11
via Columbia Records
“Yoncé/Partition”
(“Lemme hear you say, ‘Hey Ms. Carter’”) starts the rugged first half of this duo called “Yoncé.” This hard-hitting, self-boasting
song features some of the most memorable lyrics of the album (“I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker/ Yoncé all on his
mouth like liquor). It definitely will have you twerking all over the place but what Part 2, “Partition,” has you doing is so much
more. “Partition” gives “Blow” a complete run for its money for being the nastiest song on the album but in a completely different
way. While “Blow,” was fun and flirty with sex appeal, the latter gives all the dark and sensual seduction of foreplay as we see
Beyoncé give her man the ultimate show. Favorite lyrics in this song, (“He Monica Lewinsky-ed all on my gown/ Oh there daddy d-
daddy didn’t bring the towel), you just know I was not ready for all of that!
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH and a side of YASSSSSSSSSS!!!
“Jealous”
After all that powerful sexiness in the previous song, it only seems right for Bey to slow it down and show her softer side and this
song does just that. Beyoncé acknowledges her own flaws in her dealings with jealousy in a mature fashion, contrary to the young
feeling “Freakum Dress” in which she is trying to make her lover jealous. She puts an interesting spin on things reconnecting with
her past, and noticing how silly jealousy can be, (“And I love making you jealous but don’t judge me/ And I know that I’m being
hateful but that ain’t nothing/ That ain’t nothing/ I’m just jealous”).
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH O! (4.5)
6. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
http://nupulsemagazine.com/a-look-into-beyonce/ 6/11
via Columbia Records
“Rocket”
(“Let me sit this a**/ On you) is the most life fulfilling opening line ever spoken by Beyoncé and she did it without a single care in
the world. This slow jam pays all types of tribute to one word, SEX, in the most stickiest and raunchiest of ways. This song screams
ecstasy to the infinitieth degree with lines (“Hold me ’til I scream for air to breathe/ And wash me over until my well runs dry”).
“Rocket,” is literally the climax for the album, with songs for empowerment and motherhood following to finish a stellar album.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH OMG!!!
“Mine (Feat. Drake)”
I must be honest, I had been wondering what a Beyoncé and Drake pair up would sound like for quite some time and I was
pleasantly surprised. The post-pregnancy, paranoia/depression and marital distress are daunting to listeners who aren’t usually
accustomed to Bey being so down on herself. But what Drake adds to this song is hope and support (“I told you you don’t need to
worry about them b*****s “All them fives need to listen when the ten is talking). It’s a song about knowing that there is someone
there to comfort you when times get rough and the two execute it really well.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH
7. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
http://nupulsemagazine.com/a-look-into-beyonce/ 7/11
via Columbia Records
“XO”
This is the lightest, most radio-friendly song on the whole album yet it still carries weight with Bey fans. With the catchy bridge (“I
love it like XO/You love me like XO /You kill me boy XO /You love me like XO”) this innocent and care-free jam serves as the
conclusion to all the romance before focusing more on empowerment and motherhood. Boy does it do it in the sappiest of ways. I
can totally hear this song in some cute little romantic comedy!
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH O
via Columbia Records
8. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
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“***Flawless (Feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche)”
When the original, somewhat abrasive “Bow Down,” came out in March, a debate ensued questioning Beyoncé’s femininity. Adding
commentary from Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bey changed the narrative of a once self-glorifying song into one for
power, female unity and camaraderie. It’s still as hard hitting and rough as the previous version but definitely has new life added to
it. (“I woke up like this, I woke up like this/ We flawless, ladies tell ‘em”) she says reaching out for the core of feminism. Power to
women in this “Stand-Up” anthem.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH and a strong FIST to the SKY!!! BOW DOWN!!!
“Superpower (Feat. Frank Ocean)”
Pharrell, Beyoncé, and Frank Ocean are one thing in this song: BRILLIANT!!! (“I thought I could live without you/ Cause nothing I
know can break us down/ They can’t break us down”). This powerful duet is one of strength and recognition of codependence and
self-worth, and the Beyoncé/Ocean combo execute it to the Tee.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH O
“Heaven”
(I fought for you/ The hardest, it made me the strongest/ So tell me your secrets/ I just can’t stand to see you leaving”) starts off the
saddest song on the entire album. This heart-throbber is about Beyoncé’s miscarriage prior to her pregnancy to Blue Ivy, an ordeal
she and Jay Z have both been pretty vocal about as of late. BOOTS is once again all over this song, a testament to his ability to bring
out so many different things from Queen Bey, including this moving piece. My favorite moment is definitely watching Bey’s backup
dancer and friend, Ashley Everett all over the video doing her thang! I might have teared up a little, to be honest.
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH O
9. 4/24/2015 A Look into “Beyoncé”
http://nupulsemagazine.com/a-look-into-beyonce/ 9/11
via Columbia Records
“Blue (Feat. Blue Ivy)”
It is only fair that Queen Bey closes the album with an ode to the joy in her life, Blue Ivy. (“Each day I feel so blessed to be looking
at you/ Cause when you open your eyes, I feel alive/ My heart beats so damn quick when you say my name/ When I’m holding you
tight, I’m so alive/ Now let’s live it up”). After the brief sad moment brought on in “Heaven”, this song gives positive meaning and
all types of indescribable love in the relationship between mother and daughter. As the song fades out, we hear little baby Blue
giggling which can do nothing but give listeners LIFE!
Matthew’s Rating = OH OH OH OH OH (had to give it 5 for the giggles)
Beyoncé is a complex and intricate collection filled with pain, love, strength, and then some. The masterpiece is delicately wrapped
and packaged so that it takes listeners on a journey, a journey you don’t want to miss out on.
Overall Rating: 9.8/10
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