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. 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.
  2. BetterYetANavy
    Dec 3, 2011
    0
    I was hoping BeYAWNce had changed her swaggerjacking ways, but it's clear she's only gotten worse. She need to listen to her own song, "Ego," and humble herself for once. Better luck next time, BIONCI.
  3. musiccritic
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    Amazing album from start to finish. The production, lyrics and vocals are superior to any pop album released in the longest while. Beyonce has outdone herself with '4'
  4. Greta_Garbo
    Dec 3, 2011
    0
    AFTER HEARING THIS ALBUM I CAN TELL YOU I WON'T BE REMEMBERING IT A FEW DAYS FROM NOW. THANK GOD. IT'S AWFUL. I HAD TO SET AN ALARM ON MY CELLPHONE TO WAKE ME UP WHEN IT'S DONE IT BORED ME TO SLEEP.
  5. Beyonce4closed
    Dec 3, 2011
    0
    After YEARS of stealing REAL ARTIST'S music, choreography, and concepts and TAKING CREDIT for them. BeYAWNce is OFFICIALLY done. She's over. The album is a FAILURE. No one cares. OFFICIALLY 4CLOSED.
  6. pitch4rk
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    WOW... Can Beyonce be any better? She's phenomenal. The album is perfect. Her vocals and delivery have never been better. She has nothing left to prove in the music business, she's a LEGEND.
  7. Humbz
    Nov 24, 2011
    8
    After a pack full of random styles that was I Am... Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé comes with her most touching, brave and bold record. 4, an album made by their midtempos, is her strongest yet.
  8. katykat19
    Dec 2, 2011
    10
    Great album. One of the best of the year or even last decade. This isn't about radio hits, it's about REAL music. Beyonce shows off her voice in this one and she can SANG!
  9. iamanicon
    Aug 10, 2011
    1
    Beyonce got boring. Sure she can sing and dance - but the problem is what shes singing :/
  10. HermanCainBM
    Dec 3, 2011
    0
    I can't with this album. It was supposed to be flawless and it turned into a giant flop. Very un4tunate. I can't at them not releasing the best song on the album, "End of Time." So pathetic.
  11. Equiknocks
    Dec 3, 2011
    8
    This is one of Beyonce's most cohesive works yet. The album is full of R and B Nostalgia. Beyonce has never been more confident vocally and more poignant with emotion. The albums opener 1 + 1 is a true artistic choice that is very admirable. Listening to four sounds like the best elements of R and B from the last 40 years but with a modern twist. Only Beyonce could do this. TheThis is one of Beyonce's most cohesive works yet. The album is full of R and B Nostalgia. Beyonce has never been more confident vocally and more poignant with emotion. The albums opener 1 + 1 is a true artistic choice that is very admirable. Listening to four sounds like the best elements of R and B from the last 40 years but with a modern twist. Only Beyonce could do this. The problem with this album is how it fits into the current market. But an album like this is not for the times, its for the history books.… Expand
  12. Heartsoulx
    Aug 1, 2011
    4
    it sounds repetitive and uninspired .she just tried to copy janelle monae.Come one beyonce be creative not just use JZ to produce your album .The first single was terrible and a lot of fans said the same .Run the word girls? come one beyonce that was a terrible single
  13. TheGorilla
    Jul 19, 2011
    6
    The album is a disaster, a wreck, musically terrible. Well, that was before I've listened to the whole album. I understand what Beyonce is trying to do. She doesn't want to be as commercial as on her previous effort. She wants to be seen as a serious artist with serious songs as she left the Gaga-esque field and went with more live-Solange-like instruments and melodies. I've also noticedThe album is a disaster, a wreck, musically terrible. Well, that was before I've listened to the whole album. I understand what Beyonce is trying to do. She doesn't want to be as commercial as on her previous effort. She wants to be seen as a serious artist with serious songs as she left the Gaga-esque field and went with more live-Solange-like instruments and melodies. I've also noticed that she went back to the DC roots (Party, Love on Top). Which is good. The album flows really well. '4' is without a doubt the least commercial Beyonce album ever, and at the same time the most mature album in her career. I'm glad that she distanced herself from all the Pop garbage (Gaga, Britney, Kesha) and took a risk. She took a risk by going back to R'n'B, and artistically, it payed off.… Expand
  14. Serveles
    Jun 30, 2011
    5
    "4" is, for sure, the best work Beyonce has ever done. It shows the same R&B singer from "Dangerously in Love" we kinda missed on the too much pop "I Am... Sasha Fierce", but now she is a 29 years old mature woman, already talking about legacy ("I Was Here"). Get higher with "Countdown" and "End of Time", the most uptempo tracks, and get emotional with "1+1" and "I Miss You". Get angry"4" is, for sure, the best work Beyonce has ever done. It shows the same R&B singer from "Dangerously in Love" we kinda missed on the too much pop "I Am... Sasha Fierce", but now she is a 29 years old mature woman, already talking about legacy ("I Was Here"). Get higher with "Countdown" and "End of Time", the most uptempo tracks, and get emotional with "1+1" and "I Miss You". Get angry with "I Care" and "Best Thing I Never Had". We can see that "Dangerously in Love" girl again on "Rather Die Young". "Love On Top"! OMG what is it? It's Beyoncé doing her best, taking some old styles to the radio where we only listen to auto tune nowadays! Congrats, Mrs. Knowles!… Expand
  15. liamconnor
    Jan 21, 2012
    0
    ... over produced to my likings, it just seems like she is yelling and just has no true emotions in it, sadly this album has great lyrics to songs, but the singer lacks in the ability to produce emotions. Poor beyonce, she tried but fell apart. :(
  16. KingdomHeart
    Dec 4, 2013
    0
    Beyoncé was not at his best moment to launch this album, taking influences from The Jackson 5 and Florence and the Machine will not make your stuff sound like something original, much less sophisticated.
  17. 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.
  18. 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
  19. italoverdade
    Nov 11, 2015
    0
    after years on the road I expect something new from her, it's all so artificial and robotic, I am not understanding this media Egg drooling with her, was not even able to do something innovative.
  20. NileSaint
    Mar 27, 2020
    9
    A spectacular body of work. Awesome and timeless. Beyoncé never disappoints with her albums.
  21. AlexSans
    Sep 16, 2020
    1
    Creo que es un álbum normal carece de mensajes y melodías buenos, sobrevolaran mucho la música de Beyonce premiando la en todo cuando hay artistas mejores que ella.
  22. CyyChi
    Apr 1, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There is only ONE problem with 4, and it is not Beyoncé's fault, but the listener's. To enjoy this album, you have to listen from the beginning to the end, having in mind that this is Beyoncé's legacy. These are the songs she will still sing 20 years from now. The songs are timeless, meaningful. When I listen to 4, I hear everything a good pop album should be. It feels like a twelve stories building you are visiting, each song taking you higher and deeper into the icon's heart. And when you're done listening to I Was Here, you just feel so empty, that I would have hated this masterpiece if the upbeat Run The World was absent. Even though I hate this song, I think it's a very important part of 4; it allows us to really feel what this whole album is about without suffering from the emptiness and meaninglessness (?) of our lives. This is how I feel about Beyoncé's 4. I feel that she sings to us as an icon, not as a "friend" (which is the case most of the time in other mediocre pop albums) and this is how she does it. She is writing her legacy.… Expand
  23. 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
  24. Fruity
    Nov 19, 2012
    9
    Beyonce's masterpiece. There's not much else to say... She really brought the vocals especially to this album. Some of the ballads are really amazing to listen to
  25. TheateraNerd
    Jul 15, 2012
    10
    This album is a favorite ! Beyonce has amazing vocals, beats, videos, and choreograpy that sets her work apart from anyone else! Beyonce is the modern Janet Jackson and she is dominating for good reason. If you do not like/love this album then you dont know how to identify good music. She goes from sexy to rage to fun in a heartbeat, its so diverse! Buy this album seriously if you haventThis album is a favorite ! Beyonce has amazing vocals, beats, videos, and choreograpy that sets her work apart from anyone else! Beyonce is the modern Janet Jackson and she is dominating for good reason. If you do not like/love this album then you dont know how to identify good music. She goes from sexy to rage to fun in a heartbeat, its so diverse! Buy this album seriously if you havent already! No artist is touching this woman!… Expand
  26. Raffaello
    Nov 24, 2013
    10
    Beyoncé's most surprising album to date. I am not a fan of Beyoncé, but this album sure made me look twice at her featuring good vocals, rhythm and lyrics. Surprisingly good. You can't even tell it's a Beyoncé album, every song's got a story and distinction.
  27. smithclark15
    Dec 3, 2011
    9
    '4' is Beyonce's best album to date. '4' outdoes 'Dangerously In Love', 'B'Day' and 'I Am... Sasha Fierce' by LEAPS AND BOUNDS. The best R&B album of 2011. It is a crying shame how it was snubbed at the Grammy Nominations. Reminiscent of 70's, 80's and 90's R&B and soul, '4' is a throwback to the days when live instrumentation, brilliant lyricism and exceptional vocal ability ruled'4' is Beyonce's best album to date. '4' outdoes 'Dangerously In Love', 'B'Day' and 'I Am... Sasha Fierce' by LEAPS AND BOUNDS. The best R&B album of 2011. It is a crying shame how it was snubbed at the Grammy Nominations. Reminiscent of 70's, 80's and 90's R&B and soul, '4' is a throwback to the days when live instrumentation, brilliant lyricism and exceptional vocal ability ruled American airwaves instead of auto-tuned, electro-pop, dance crap. Every song is beautifully written, produced and sang. '4' is mostly about monogamy; after listening to this, you will know for a fact that she loves her husband with all her heart. The album is diverse; '4' consists of powerful ballads like '1+1' and 'I Miss You', smooth old-school R&B jams like 'Party' and 'Rather Die Young', rousing girl power anthems like 'Best Thing I Never Had' and 'Run the World (Girls)' (the latter, I am embarrassed to like because I'm a guy) and club bangers like 'Countdown' and 'End of Time'. Beyonce flaunts her astonishing vocal talent on tracks like 'Start Over', 'Love On Top' and 'I Was Here'. The very best songs on '4', however, are the bonus tracks included on the Target Deluxe Edition. 'Lay Up Under Me', a funk-filled song pulled straight out of the disco, 'Schoolin' Life' a fun rock-tinged song reminiscent of Prince and the slow and sexy 'Dance for You' enhance the overall album greatly. Get out of your computer chair, go to the nearest music store and buy '4' now. It is worth every dollar you spend and then some.… Expand
  28. DanceVera
    Dec 12, 2011
    8
    Beyonce finally gives us a full album that keeps us moving all the way through! She proves on this record that she has a handle on r&b of the past ("Love on Top"), present ("Countdown"), and Future ("End of Time"). Hopefully we didn't write this album off as a result of the poor choice for lead single in "(Girls) Run the World", because nearly every track beats it in listenability.Beyonce finally gives us a full album that keeps us moving all the way through! She proves on this record that she has a handle on r&b of the past ("Love on Top"), present ("Countdown"), and Future ("End of Time"). Hopefully we didn't write this album off as a result of the poor choice for lead single in "(Girls) Run the World", because nearly every track beats it in listenability. Whether you want to party or stay home with someone special, this album has got something perfect for your evening.… Expand
  29. DMB
    Dec 14, 2011
    7
    Beyonces best work. Her prior albums consisted of a few strong singles and alot of album filler. I found myself listening to less than half the album for IASF, BDAY, and DIL. 4 is a solid effort. I dont think its packed full of hits, but aside from Party and Rather Die You, the songs are quality songs. Fav songs: I Care, I Miss You, Start Over, End of Time
  30. chrisalvin07
    Nov 29, 2012
    10
    Best of her albums. This is clearly the best female work of 2011 and even 2012 ! my song is SCHOOLIN' LIFE and I love so much Love On Top & Party !
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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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