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Beyoncé Image

Beyoncé

| Release Date:
85
Metascore
 34 reviews
8.4
User Score
 1750 ratings
Label: Columbia
Album Details: The fifth full-length record for the R&B pop singer was a surprise iTunes release, with a short film
The fifth full-length record for the R&B pop singer was a surprise iTunes release, with a short film accompanying each track.
Label: Columbia
Genre(s): Adult Alternative
Top Track
Drunk In Love
I've been drinking, I've been drinking I get filthy when that liquor get into me I've been thinking, I've been thinking Why can't I keep my fingers...
See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews
(34)
85
Metascore Universal acclaim
32 Positive Ratings 94%
2 Mixed Ratings 5%
0 Negative Ratings 0%
Based on 34 Critic Reviews View All
91
Pretty Much Amazing
Dec 16, 2013
"Beyoncé waited for the last moment to unveil 2013′s finest pop album. It arrived too late to enter our top ten lists, but just in time to own the year." ... Read full review
90
Fact Magazine (UK)
Dec 17, 2013
"Beyoncé is a stronger personal statement than Magna Carta… Holy Grail, less self-indulgent than The 20/20 Experience, and (in its own way) as dark and confrontational as Yeezus." ... Read full review
90
The 405
Jan 23, 2014
"Though there are a million details about BEYONCÉ to examine--from the release strategy to the visual aspect and more--the strongest ideas are still found solely in the music. She addresses topics like beauty, body image, miscarriages, jealousy, sexuality, marriage, motherhood and self-worth." ... Read full review
80
Exclaim
Dec 16, 2013
"Beyoncé is better than good, slickly packaged, created with the best of intentions yet still comes off as a postmodern mash of hubris, sincerity and gloss. It will be a hit regardless." ... Read full review
80
musicOMH.com
Dec 16, 2013
"This is easily Beyoncé’s best album yet, a clear progression from her previous work and a musical triumph." ... Read full review
79
Paste Magazine
Dec 18, 2013
"The lack of universality to much of it keeps it from being the great album it wants to be, and some of the fascination seems to stem from 2013 celebrity culture obsession and speaks to the need to disappear from our own lives and become so wrapped up in the world of the rich and famous." ... Read full review
60
The Independent (UK)
Dec 13, 2013
"Musically, it's the same kind of electro R&B with which radio is already awash--in large part because it's produced by the same small coterie of hip producers, with Timbaland appearing to take the most prominent role amongst the likes of Detail, Jerome Harmon, Pharrell Williams and Ryan Tedder." ... Read full review
Critic Reviews
User Reviews
(292)
8.4
User Score Universal acclaim
1,482 Positive Ratings 84%
66 Mixed Ratings 3%
202 Negative Ratings 11%
Based on 1750 Ratings and 292 Reviews View All
10
jjesus
Apr 25, 2016
Beyoncé's self titled fifth album is her first step through a new level of music, that brings us an incredible sound full of modernBeyoncé's self titled fifth album is her first step through a new level of music, that brings us an incredible sound full of modern instrumentals and a great contribution by BOOTS. 'Drunk in Love' and 'XO' despite being so differents are such great records. A cohesive and strong record, for sure!… Expand
10
kingchucka32
Dec 13, 2013
Beyoncé's self titled fifth studio album comes as a big surprise at a much needed time in music. This album is in a way a re-introductionBeyoncé's self titled fifth studio album comes as a big surprise at a much needed time in music. This album is in a way a re-introduction (even to her hardcore fan base) to the new grown woman we now know as Beyoncé. Good luck with trying to categorize or label this album in one specific genre. It is however, hands down her best effort as of yet. Sonically this album is a masterpiece and visually stunning. It emotes so much emotion it's almost tangible. In closing Beyoncé has proved yet again why she is a trendsetter and follows her rules.… Expand
10
ivanhugo
Aug 6, 2019
Por que tão perfeita? Beyoncé mais uma vez mostrando que é um dos grandes da música pop, trazendo um álbum com hits e letras que abordam temasPor que tão perfeita? Beyoncé mais uma vez mostrando que é um dos grandes da música pop, trazendo um álbum com hits e letras que abordam temas importantes, como Pretty Hurts e ***Flawless.… Expand
10
gamblebo1
Jan 19, 2014
I think this is Beyonce best work to date! The level of musicality, topics she discusses and vocal maturity really shows us why she is one ofI think this is Beyonce best work to date! The level of musicality, topics she discusses and vocal maturity really shows us why she is one of the best in the music industry.… Expand
10
francisrgo
Dec 14, 2013
Beyonce is definitely a woman who truly knows who she is and is not afraid to take charge. Her self titled "Visionary Album" "Beyonce" is anBeyonce is definitely a woman who truly knows who she is and is not afraid to take charge. Her self titled "Visionary Album" "Beyonce" is an instant masterpiece, showcasing her divine talent and vocal prowess. She needs no gimmick and a whole team of publicity, all she needed is to put her name and everyone take notice. The album is simple with so much soul and passion.… Expand
9
walterhenderson
Apr 15, 2015
Not only did Beyoncé’s new album already break multiple records, including being the fastest-selling digital album of all time, but it alsoNot only did Beyoncé’s new album already break multiple records, including being the fastest-selling digital album of all time, but it also has changed the way artists will release music in the future. With absolutely no announcement or promotion ‘BEYONCÉ’ was unleashed to the public exclusively on iTunes, equipped with 14 songs and 17 music videos. What makes this ‘visual album’ so much more respectable is the fact that all this was created while Beyoncé travelled around the world on a sold-out world tour.
With this revoluntionary release strategy, Beyoncé has shown other artists that they can take control of their work and don’t have to hype it up in order to sell. Word gets around fast on the internet, so releasing something digitally means that everyone will know about it soon enough. There is no longer any need to announce an album 5 months before its release, because it doesn’t take that long for consumers to catch on anymore.There is also the inevitable burden of “hype”. We have so many artists these days who advertise the hell out of their product and act as if it’s going to be amazing. So much hype just ends up creating too many expectations which hurts the artist in the long run. The same can be said for companies in other industries as well.
And it’s not only Beyoncé’s release strategy that’s amazing, the music is great as well. The R&B diva who has always held it together finally lets go on this album and shows us emotion we’ve never seen before. On “Pretty Hurts”, the first song on the album, Beyoncé tells the story of a pageant queen hopeful who is faced with the burden of having to be big-chested and skinny. She sings, “Vogue says thinner is better,” on the Sia-penned track. And while the song was written by the same woman who brought us so many pop hits in the last few years, including Rihanna’s “Diamonds”, Beyoncé makes the song her own and doesn’t end up sounding like a Sia imitator as some others have.
Beyoncé also gives us some blunt honesty on the record. We see this clearly on “Ghost”, a song Beyoncé wrote about being fed up with record labels and the same old game. “I’m climbing up the walls ‘cause all this **** I hear is boring,” Beyoncé states in the song before expressing, “I don’t trust these record labels, I’m touring.” Later in the song we hear Beyoncé telling us that she doesn’t expect to make a lot of money off this album, a sarcastic and ironic statement in that ‘BEYONCÉ’ has already sold over 800k copies worldwide after only three days of being released.
It isn’t all political, however, as the album covers such a wide variety of topics and genres that its almost hard to digest properly on first listen. But with writing help from Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, and even Chairlift’s Caroline Polacheck, what was there to expect. There’s signs of funk, R&B, trap, alternative rock, and so many other genres throughout the album. This results in a body of work with so much mass appeal that it’s insane to say it won’t crossover to multiple formats. The only other influential Pop album I can think of that changed the game and was so appealing to different audiences was ‘Thriller’, and we all know how that turned out.
Unfortunately, with such a strong statement of an album, there will be negative feedback. I’ve noticed some critics who’ve praised the album but ended up giving it a not so favorable score. It’s interesting that these publications are the same ones who give mediocre indie and rock albums 10s across the board. The problem with a lot of these critics is that they have a biased view on music and see Pop as inferior, so even if, just for example, Nicki Minaj came out with a better album than Muse, the latter would still get the higher rating just because it’s considered rock. Just because it’s a Pop artist doesn’t mean it’s inferior though, and Beyoncé has clearly earned that respect. Hopefully, as it all sinks in and people realize the brilliance, creativity, and hard work put into this project, some more traditional views will start to change.… Expand
0
Flawlessbkg
Jul 26, 2020
Beyoncé's self titled fifth studio album comes as a big surprise at a much needed time in music. This album is in a way a re-introductionBeyoncé's self titled fifth studio album comes as a big surprise at a much needed time in music. This album is in a way a re-introduction (even to her hardcore fan base) to the new grown woman we now know as Beyoncé. Good luck with trying to categorize or label this album in one specific genre. It is however, hands down her best effort as of yet. Sonically this album is a masterpiece and… Expand… Expand
User Reviews