January 22, 2014

By Signe Trewyn

Beyoncé’s amazing new self-titled album arrived on the music scene as a surprise to her legions of fans and the industry itself. The album went on to sell 80,000 copies within the first three hours of release and contains 14 songs and 18 videos. This is different than her previous album featuring many videos of the listed songs, which makes it a pop visual album.

One of the songs titled “Haunted” features an acceptance speech from a much younger Beyoncé for female pop vocalists. She sings about her life and what being a female vocalist is all about. She questions why people work so hard. Many listeners can connect to it when she says, “Working 9 to 5 just to stay alive.” Most often, work is a way of survival. Beyoncé considers every single person across the nation who engages in his or her daily occupations with “Haunted.”

Jay Z makes an appearance on the album in  “Drunk in Love” (feat. Jay Z) which brings avid listeners back to “Crazy in Love” (feat. Jay Z). The lyrics are similar in feeling to its predecessor “Crazy in Love,” since the couple seems just as dedicated to each other now as they did back then. “Drunk on love, we be all night,” Beyoncé coos during the bridge of the song, and the words are enough to stimulate the listener.

“No Angel” is another standout from the album because it had me wondering what angel Beyoncé is referring to. The song contains a rhythm and blues vibe with its slow beat and Beyoncé’s sweet voice, similar to a Justin Timberlake song.

Another favorite of mine is “Rocket,” where Beyoncé worked with Miguel and Justin Timberlake in the studio. The song itself is a mixture of ad-libs and arrangements, featuring Beyoncé’s soft vocals. The listener can pick out the Justin influence on the track with its leisurely beat engaging vocals. The song’s video features a black and white video of Beyoncé herself.

While all the other songs are pleasing, all of Beyoncé’s fans, including me, would probably agree the brightest gem of the album is “Blue,” referring to Blue Ivy Carter. The lyric, “Every day I feel so blessed to be looking at you,” connects the intimate feelings Beyoncé has for her daughter. To me, “Blue, ” is what makes the album so precious and worth every penny on iTunes. The video that coincides with the track features natives from Brazil, along with the entire Carter family. Beyoncé claims when she looks into Blue’s eyes she feels alive but then again, who wouldn’t when staring at the daughter of Beyoncé?

I recommend Beyoncé’s great new album to fans and non-fans alike.

5 out of 5 stars.