4 - Beyonce
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Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 244 Ratings

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  • Summary: The aptly titled fourth studio album from the pop songstress has both dance-floor-ready jams and down-tempo tunes that are a bit tamer than those in the last album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Consequence of Sound
    Jun 24, 2011
    90
    Between doing more of the same old goodness and boiling everything down to its most essential lethality, Beyoncé also makes room on the album for more grandiose tracks that would sound right at home in Broadway musicals.
  2. Uncut
    Aug 18, 2011
    80
    The lyrics are occasionally hackneyed, but overall 4 is a very strong record indeed. [Sep 2011, p.79]
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  3. Q Magazine
    Aug 16, 2011
    60
    At Glastonbury she dazzled; here she plays it safe. [Sept. 2011, p. 105]
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  4. No Ripcord
    Jul 18, 2011
    20
    Where this album should be fresh and current, it sounds tired, repetitive and uninspired.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 140
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 140
  3. Negative: 21 out of 140
  1. charli_b
    10
    This album surpasses everything she's ever done. This album for me showcases what made B'day a success for me. It's that no one else...no other artist can do these songs. The vocals are beyond amazing and make you want to listen to the songs and you believe the things she's singing about. I am so glad that she took a risk and put this out.… Collapse
  2. Belmsher
    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 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
  3. FlorianM
    7
    Please excuse my English, I'm a French guy.
    I think this is the first Beyoncé's album I like. The old jam influenced songs give     this album some personality. The first time I looked at the cover and the tracklist, I would think this album would be very 'conceptual'. And it is not-so cliché. I love the featuring from Andre 3000, which brings some freshness to 'Party'. In terms of ballads, I love 'I Was Here', which is very surprising from Beyoncé.

    I also liked the fact that Beyoncé improved herself to choose some producers or writing some excerpts of the songs. Diplo made a good job on 'End of Time'.    … Expand
  4. GarbageNOISE
    0
    If I Can Say One Thing About This Album. It's Bad. Just Bad. Everything Beyonce Stands For: Fun. Dance. Slaying. A Complete. Let Down. Too Many Awkward Ballads And Not Enough Club Bangers. The Songs That Are On Here Are She Screams The Whole Time. She's Trying To Prove She's Not Just A Pop Artist, But That's Why We Love Her.… Expand

See all 140 User Reviews

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