4
by Beyoncé
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 801 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 638 out of 801
  2. Mixed: 57 out of 801
  3. Negative: 106 out of 801
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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Jun 20, 2022
    6
    Took me time to come around because of when i became a Beyonce fan it had been when her records were cohesive statements but 4 is a precursor to what she'd master on the srlf titled masterpiece. It's basically a compilation of realy solud pop r&b that shows off the best of her talent. Favorites: schoolin' life,best ting i never had & i care
  2. hydrawithears
    Nov 20, 2011
    6
    First notes of 1+1, the new Beyoncéâ
  3. BWETMatangi
    Aug 7, 2013
    3
    Trash. The best song is Countdown. The album is full of ballads and the uptempo songs are annoying. This is Beyonces worst album to date, so don't get it.
  4. victorcarter
    Nov 21, 2016
    10
    Very entertaining album. So much growth. Any one that thinks otherwise is probably into the RIhanna. Lady Gaga pop rubbish that 10yrs from now, they will be thinking what was i thinking listening to a Gaga or Rihanna music. If you want great lyrical content "4" is the one for you.
  5. GagaForGhibli
    May 31, 2012
    9
    Beyonce Show's Us She Can Make A Really Good Album! Her Last Albums Have Been Seen As "Shallow And Bland" This Album Gives You Wanting More From The Queen Of R&B
    I Enjoyed 90% Of The Album
  6. LuizCC
    Jan 8, 2012
    8
    Intimate, strong. Flirting with different types of styles, from R&B to brazilian beat, Beyonce's fourth album, named "4" is her very best until now. Her power ballads are sublime, her outrageous voice suits just with the experimental rhythms in some of the songs. The highlight is "Love On Top", a motown based song, remembering the best of Marvin Gaye or James Brown. It is a step ahead inIntimate, strong. Flirting with different types of styles, from R&B to brazilian beat, Beyonce's fourth album, named "4" is her very best until now. Her power ballads are sublime, her outrageous voice suits just with the experimental rhythms in some of the songs. The highlight is "Love On Top", a motown based song, remembering the best of Marvin Gaye or James Brown. It is a step ahead in Knowles's career, and it brought the R&B to a higher level.… Expand
  7. greedybadidea
    May 29, 2020
    9
    Beyoncé's fourth solo album becomes my new favorite with its fresh taste of what Beyoncé is truly capable of. Although it feels like an matured version of what she has given us with her past three projects, I feel like this is what we need before she decides to go with a new sound which is what I need after this beautiful record. The vocals, production, and lyrical content are gorgeous.Beyoncé's fourth solo album becomes my new favorite with its fresh taste of what Beyoncé is truly capable of. Although it feels like an matured version of what she has given us with her past three projects, I feel like this is what we need before she decides to go with a new sound which is what I need after this beautiful record. The vocals, production, and lyrical content are gorgeous. There are still some minor sonic issues, but the album is still my favorite from the superstar.

    Album Track Ranking:
    1. Start Over
    2. End of Time
    3. Best Thing I Never Had
    4. Run the World (Girls)
    5. Love on Top
    6. Rather Die Young
    7. 1+1
    8. Countdown
    9. I Care
    10. I Miss You
    11. Dance For You
    12. I Was Here
    13. Schoolin' Life
    14. Party (feat. André 3000)    … Expand
  8. ManuelContreras
    Apr 8, 2018
    8
    realmente este album compite para ser su mejor album, junto con el homonimo y el mas reciente lemonade
  9. Wanesta
    Jan 9, 2022
    8
    Sultry, marvelous, sometimes too dense, but mostly enchanting, 4 feels like we are part of a marching band, carrying on the R&B avenue following each command by Queen B herself. On her fourth album, she proves her genius to anyone still daring to doubt Mrs. Carter-Knowles.
  10. NathanCabello
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    Undoubtedly the best of her album, all tracks can be good and fun, dancing has its moments, its romantic moments, all that is needed in an album, I hope the next it has something inspired by this.
    Highlights: Countdown and Run The World
    Lows: Lay Up Under Me and Rather Die Young
  11. ewhite
    Jun 24, 2019
    10
    One of her most underrated albums. In this album Beyoncé takes elements of 70s, 80s, and 90s R&B, funk, disco, dancehall and rock and blends them in together perfectly to make a cohesive sound. In my opinion, this is equally as good as "Lemonade" and "Beyoncé". The album has vulnerable slow tracks such as "I Miss You", "Start Over", "i Care", upbeat bangers "Run The World (Girls)",One of her most underrated albums. In this album Beyoncé takes elements of 70s, 80s, and 90s R&B, funk, disco, dancehall and rock and blends them in together perfectly to make a cohesive sound. In my opinion, this is equally as good as "Lemonade" and "Beyoncé". The album has vulnerable slow tracks such as "I Miss You", "Start Over", "i Care", upbeat bangers "Run The World (Girls)", "Party", "Love On Top" and haunting ballads "I Was Here", "Dreaming". Also, I think 4 is her best album vocal wise. Overall 4 is a very strong record with no fillers and for sure will go down as one of her best albums. A shame it hasn't sold as well as her other 5 albums.… Expand
  12. iamanicon
    Aug 10, 2011
    1
    Beyonce got boring. Sure she can sing and dance - but the problem is what shes singing :/
  13. Clubsocial
    May 4, 2015
    10
    ore. You can tell all of her songs came from the heart. The only thing that I have to say is that I don't think "Run The World (Girls)" fits into the album AT ALL. Other than that, the album is flawle
  14. raviopatra
    Nov 17, 2013
    8
    This is definitely a departure in her sound compared to I Am... Sasha Fierce. What I love from this album is B's efforts to get back to traditional R&B sound without losing her modern contemporary sound at all. "Start Over" stands out the most for me, but "Dance for You" is the strongest track in the album. Overall, the album is solid and you can actually have a climax from the first toThis is definitely a departure in her sound compared to I Am... Sasha Fierce. What I love from this album is B's efforts to get back to traditional R&B sound without losing her modern contemporary sound at all. "Start Over" stands out the most for me, but "Dance for You" is the strongest track in the album. Overall, the album is solid and you can actually have a climax from the first to last track. Though there are four tracks that kind of ruin the album's harmony for me: "Rather Die Young", "End of Time", "Lay Up Under Me", and "Schoolin' Life". Other than these four, the album is gorgeous!… Expand
  15. lovemusic
    Jul 3, 2011
    7
    I'm a guy and i liked this album. I'm straight also. Countdown is my favorite song on the album. that song is great. there are other songs i liked but that one song stood out the most. i liked the album it was weird. 7 out of 10 it wasn't horrible.
  16. arcanjo
    May 29, 2016
    8
    A very captivating album for sure. with melodramatic tones and crazy to freaky afro inspired beats, Beyoncé talks about the Love cliche beyond herself's and her competitors music scene standards at the time.
  17. LanaDelRey
    Mar 24, 2013
    10
    Bow Down It' The Queen!
    Beyonce's Best Album To Date Cant Get Any Better Than This!
  18. LuizFelipe
    Mar 14, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the '4' is a perfect blend of maravilhoasas letters with feeling. the vocals of each song leaves a sense of peace , a mixture of soft voice in parts of ' 1 + 1' to the big bucks to 'start over' ... all very well crafted and amazing ... congratulations… Expand
  19. Labarron
    Oct 27, 2011
    9
    Beyonce has really matured and this album shows it. This is her best album and of course, it reach number one. Nice production, sound, lyrics, and songs. Keep up the good work, B.
  20. tonto
    Jul 9, 2021
    9
    Beyoncé’s 4, is a triumphant return for the queen and she is in top form. With a rich voice, she can easily carry a tune. The production is fantastic, with synths and horns creating harmonious melodies. Although none of the songs are quite as good as her iconic Irreplaceable, Crazy In Love, or Sweet Dreams, they are all solid entries to her catalogue.
  21. Juan12353
    May 30, 2016
    10
    Uno de los mejores albumes de Queen Beyoncé, LO AMO :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
  22. ManilaCritic
    Jun 27, 2012
    10
    4 is Beyonce's Best album to date! Its sad that its her lowest selling one because this album is so beautiful. Should have won Best R&B album at the Grammys (or at least a nom smh) This album will stay in my heart forever, it has so much diversity that it will be a classic on its own.
  23. Belmsher
    Sep 20, 2011
    8
    Personally I don't mind if Beyonce sales are getting lower each album released, that's the trend nowadays. All I know is "4" is her best album to date. Dangerously in love was 70% fillers; B'Day was ok but there were just a few moments of real vocal amazingness; Sasha was overproduced and there were awful contrasts behind the concept of that alter-ego duel. 4 sounds more confident andPersonally I don't mind if Beyonce sales are getting lower each album released, that's the trend nowadays. All I know is "4" is her best album to date. Dangerously in love was 70% fillers; B'Day was ok but there were just a few moments of real vocal amazingness; Sasha was overproduced and there were awful contrasts behind the concept of that alter-ego duel. 4 sounds more confident and honest, there's a bit of everything Beyonce really knows how to do, there seems to be a heart in every song. The trouble with Run the World as a 1st single had happened several times in the history of pop music, it was a risky decision and probably too avant-gard (might sound a cliche, i know) - i guess we weren't ready for such sound in an era of auto-tune and gaga/kesha-esque productions.… Expand
  24. survivorfan989
    Jan 6, 2013
    9
    My favourite of Beyoncé's four albums and its thanks to having a wide selection of songs rather than sticking to the one genre being R&B. It starts off slow but has everything once it kicks in with hits like Love On Top and Countdown. Easily her best work!
  25. Teodoro
    Jun 20, 2014
    3
    Achei o album fraco e me desapontou,esperava algo melhor depois da recuperação dela em I am...Sasha Fierce maaas nem tudo que é bom dura né,e o pior,4 é meu número favorito.
  26. victorialiewind
    Sep 20, 2019
    6
    Beyonce keep doing old mistakes in this album she didn't change. Album sounds like her latest releases. But it's a new time and everyone needs to develop.
  27. cuzinho1
    Mar 19, 2021
    0
    Where this album should be fresh and current, it sounds tired, repetitive and uninspired.
  28. Rosaria88
    Jun 15, 2015
    10
    Foxes é maravilhosa. Eu amo tudo o que ela faz, tudo bem feito, impecável. Coisa de artista de verdade, é uma pena ver que não tem o reconhecimento merecido.
  29. arianagrande626
    May 9, 2021
    8
    Amazing vocals as always. It's sad that the album flopped, it deserved so much better.
  30. I_Am_F
    Jun 29, 2011
    8
    "4" is one of the best mainstream releases of 2011. The album is definitely worth buying. Standout tracks: "Best Thing I Never Had", "Party", "Rather Die Young", "I Was Here".
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2011
16
#16 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Uncut
    Aug 18, 2011
    80
    The lyrics are occasionally hackneyed, but overall 4 is a very strong record indeed. [Sep 2011, p.79]
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 16, 2011
    60
    At Glastonbury she dazzled; here she plays it safe. [Sept. 2011, p. 105]
  3. DJ Booth
    Aug 2, 2011
    70
    While I suspect 4 was made in large part to sound more natural and real, it doesn't succeed entirely. The album is a refreshingly understated change from the constantly banging and bumping sound of modern R&B, but it doesn't really bring us closer to the Queen B.
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