♫ Beyoncé – End of Time
It’s been nearly 3 years since Beyoncé has released any new music. She had been laying low, spending time experiencing life in order to gather inspiration for her fourth studio album, appropriately titled 4.
After the success of her third studio album I Am… Sasha Fierce and a successful world tour, Beyoncé took some time off to enjoy married life and freedom. Even while on break, producers would boast in interviews about what was to come of her fourth studio project, proclaiming that Beyoncé was solidifying her own lane and her own sound.
The first taste we got of the album was the lead single, “Run the World (Girls).” With high anticipation, and even with it’s high budget video and high profile premiere, fans still had mixed reviews. But truthfully, the album’s first single is not reflective of the rest of it’s material.
It’s clear that since the professional departure from her father and longtime manager, Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé went into the studio with the intention of recording music for herself and taking the reigns on creative control. 4, which she explained was named by the fans, is the type of album that an artist makes when they want to make a statement about their place in life and what they’ve experienced. And it’s no surprise either. For Beyoncé, the number four holds many meanings: the day she was born, her fourth studio album and she was married on the fourth day of the fourth month. But instead of creating her own sound, she brought all the sounds she loves together, creating a cohesive body of material.
Evidently, with tracks like the vintage-tinged “Rather Die Young,” this LP could read like an open love letter to her husband, hip hop superstar and mogul, Jay-Z. And even with all the album’s personal moments, Beyoncé still manages to give you those commercial moments with girl power, kick-him-to-the-curb anthems like the second single, “♫ Best Thing I Never Had” (written by Babyface, J. Que Smith and Tony Dixon) and fun, hard-hitting club joints like the Boyz II Men-sampled, “Countdown.”
4 boasts some of Beyoncé’s most impressive vocal chops, seeing her incorporate a lot more of her live vocal elements on to studio recordings (“End of Time” and “Love On Top”).
On “I Care,” her throaty range soars effortlessly as she mimics guitar riffs at the song’s climax. And with the album’s opener, The Dream-penned “1+1,” Beyoncé taps into her inner Prince on the emotional ballad, which she admits is one of her favorites from the album. Gems are also found in the understated, but riveting “I Miss You,” written by the talented newcomer, Frank Ocean, where Bey’s soothing voice slinks coolly over a sexy synth, while vocal and studio perfection go hand-in-hand on the ultra-layered, super 1990′s throwback, “Party,” (produced By Kanye West) where the only cameo appearance on the album is made by none other than André 3000.
Recording over a hundred songs over the span of the past couple of years, many producers and songwriters had the chance to work with her, but Beyoncé kept the list of collaborators to a minimum on this album. Some names that you might recognize on the album consist of Ester Dean, one half of The Neptunes, Chad Hugo, Ryan Tedder and the legendary Diane Warren. Largely co-produced by hitmaker Shea Taylor and Jeff Bhasker, the album does not have a lot of commonly commercial hits, but showcases the growth of an artist that has been honing her craft for the past 15 years. The sound of the album is fresh, but familiar. Some even have cited that she may have returned to the R&B roots of her first solo LP, 2003′s Dangerously In Love.
Questioning whether or not the album will be a commercial success doesn’t really seem to be any of the star’s concerned, as much it is for fans and naysayers. While still gracing the cover of every major publication, being the first women to ever headline the Glastonbury Festival’s pyramid stage and collecting accolades like Billboard Artist of the Millennium, it seems as though solidifying her place in an industry that’s ever changing is what her main focus is. In a sea of artists who come a dime a dozen, and as easy as it is to become a flash in the pan, she shows that longevity is what’s most important in her career. If the goal here was to create honest, mature music, Beyoncé succeeded.
wtf!
WTF DOES CONCRETELOOP WORK FOR BEYONCE!!!!! come on.
But did the review lie though?
Seriously CL, that’s not a review. What are the highs and lows of the album, what are its flaws? This ‘review’ reads like an ad. Fair enough you have a good relationship with her team and get invites to her event but that doesn’t mean your reviews need to be biased.
And the whole 4 concept was interesting/clever until the ’4 day of the 4th moon’ ish that was mentioned in the review. Sounds like some numerological-religious-sect type thing. Wasn’t Lisa Lopez counting numbers shortly before she died? I wonder if that’s Hollywood’s religion hmmm
BEYONCE PR TEAM IS WORKING HARD TO GET THIS FOOL OUT ,,,TOO ME BEYONCE IS SO OVER !!!SHE SOUND’S LIKE A DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE ,,WHAT’S UP WITH CLOOP !!! DO YOU GUY’S HAVE A CONTRACT WITH BEYONCE PR TEAM ,,COME ON !!! I LOVE THIS BLOG !!LOL LOL HAHAHA!!! BEYONCE IS A COPYCAT RE-RUN FAKE …BEYONCE IS OVER , OVER , WE NEED INTERESTING BLACK FOLKS !!BEY PR TEAM GET A LIFE !!!
they hit it on the nose. Whoever wrote this clearly knows what they are talking about.
As much as I love concreteloop, I am really beginning to wonder what role the Knowles family plays with this site. I have never read a CL posted album review like the one above about “4.” Im in utter disgust….
@I LOVE THIS GAME
STAY MAD H0E. BEY IS SLAYING THE CHARTS AND UR DUMBASS CANT HANDLE IT LMAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOO
BYE B!TCH.
RIHANNA’S PR TO THE CORE. GTFOH
@ Damian In Dallas u hit right in the head…i’m begining to wonder my damn self…
all the music, well MOST, of the music is wack nowadayz..whover is sittin in them desks approving and disapprovin needs to be fired cuz the music industry sucks big time…they need to all listen to top music in the 90′s n jib off that..it used to be u were excited to hear a song on the radio nowadays its like..ughhh(chngning station..jus heard that..same artists)..n this albumm is just the same…maybe these artist be to far away from the real world..Beyonce is an exception she can still come back no matter how long it takes…
sorry …THIS IS A NON-MUTHA***FACTOR—–THIS CD IS NOT GOOD AT ALL….”4″ IS EXACTLY THE # OF DECENT TRACKS ON THIS…. “DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE” GREAT R/B DEBUT… B’ DAY–VERY GOOD…”I AM SASHA FIERCE” INCREDIBLE….
4—– WILL BE THE BIGGEST FLOP….I SMELL A DESTINY’S CHILD REUNION ONLY IF KELLY AGREES….
It’s ABOUT TIME somebody said something about Concrete Loop holding Beyonce’s ass! I read the “review” and it was biased as fukk! Then again, EVERYTHING I read on Concrete Loop is biased when it comes to her. I was wondering if Solonge was on the damn staff or something. I understand being a fan of Beyonce, because she IS talented, I’ll give her that, but this girl is NOT the end all and be all of music itself, and I KNOW that album ain’t that damn good, which is why they are marketing the HELL out of it. No more reviews, Concrete Loop, cuz yall clearly stans like u wouldn’t believe, just like most of the posters on your site! Un fukkin believable!
I know people were expecting they’re booty popping, shake a tail feather singles. I personally think this is one of Beyonce’s best albums thus far. It shows where she is right now in life. Her vocals and melodies are great! This is grown, singing in the car/shower, sitting down sipping a great glass of wine music! And I LOVE IT! I’m glad she realized she’s in a position where she can make an album that may not really just be what the radio is looking for. She’s made enough money and earned enough grammy’s where she can now do the music that she wants and I appreciate that. She could’ve did all the pop crap that’s on the radio today but decided to do something more groovy and it gets 5 stars from me!!!!!
I love I Care, I Miss You, Start Over, Love on Top, Party, Rather Die Young (very sexy), End of Time, Best I Never Had!
You can tell she’s in LOVE….
@ DaBoss
This lady ain’t pressed for sales boo! Even if it do flop trust me her bank account amount is through the roof.
this is beys best album. as a fan im so proud of her. over the years ppl constantly bashed her about having meaningless songs and having songs that wouldnt stand the tests of time but i feel like bey has matured and her sound on the album represents this. i love how she didnt take the safe route by jumping on this dance music rave that everyone is hopping on to get a quick #1. she takes risk and sometimes they pay off sometimes they dont. one thing for sure is that bey is behind her music 100% and i cant wait till the tour. beyonce “4″ gets 5 stars from me
I absolutely agree!
Count me on that as well! Im not her biggest fan because i also agree that her songs are just hot beats with horrible lyrics! BUT this cd has taken her into the next step! She really has stepped up her game as an artist and as a woman! This is WTF she needed!!!
Nice review Brian! I Am… actually gave mature meaningful ballads as well but this took it over the top. Her VOCALS are EVERYTHING on this album especially on I Miss You, I Care and Rather Die Young. I jump from favorite to favorite on this LOVE ON TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! blows me away but so does End of Time and I Care. Schoolin Life is ridiculous and Party will be blasting at the bbque for sure! And, of course, 1+1 and BTINH are proven bangers. Beyonce truly outdid herself with this album and I can’t wait to see her rock on tour!
I think Beyonce spent a lot of time trying to solidify her place in the music industry by some what conforming to the industry standards in music. To get a hit song or record you have to have a monster beat, catchy hooks, and little to no content. She has done songs in the past that have meaning, not just catchy top 40 over a dope beat. This album says I’m almost 30 and I can bring the real and enough pretend magic to still be a force in this industry. I love the mixture of African flavor with the whole 90′s swag. She killed it for me. Congratulations Beyonce!
I co-sign! It make me wanna just ride with the top down singing all the songs with my hair blowing in the wind!
It gets 5 stars from me too….I love it! Reminds of a girl version of Prince, the instruments, the melodies, the feeling that’s in it. Like you can tell she’s in LOVE! I think this album is very sexy….
yayyyyyyyyyyyy now bring out the thank you’s
I like this song a lot
Her BEST album yet! Just downloaded it on iTunes at 12:02AM. Will be getting a few deluxe copies of the album from Target tomorrow. Love you Beyoncé!#WhoRunTheWorld
Buy them separately so they will count as individual sales.
SERIOUSLY!!! GET A LIFE
I’m so excited ! can’t wait to pick a copy up
This is like a mature and mastered version of Dangerously in Love. I absolutely loved DIL and I love this; especially because her growth is so evident. Immature fans/stans and simple minded basic folk obviously won’t like this album because they lack the ability to be open minded. I’m very fond of the direction she took with this album as far as….everything really. And don’t even get me started on those adroit vocals! I mean, AH!! Beyonce, beautiful album! I SAY BUY IT!
I will say, though, do NOT let “Run the World” be your only teaser to the album, because as far as I’m concerned that song served no purpose in exemplifying the material on this album. Anyway, BUY 4!!!!!!!
They can’t pop their booties or snap their fingers and roll their necks lol
i love this song too, goodjob baby
THIS ALBUM IS B….S…STRAIGHT UP!!
NO ONE WILL BUY THIS WACK SHIT…EVEN IF ITS FROM BEYONCE..UGHHHH…SHE CLEARLY NEEDS PPL AROUND HER TO TELL HER THE MISTAKES AND NOT KISS HER ASS CUZ THIS SZHIT IS WACK..I USED TO BE A FAN …ITS TIME TO GO HAVE THE BABIES BE..THAT’LL PUT U BACK IN THE SPOT AND THEN HAVE A RIDICULOUS SONG OUT THE SAME MONTH BUT BE WRKIN ON IT NOW…THAT’L BLOW EVERYBDY…I LIKE BEYONCE IM JUST BEING HONEST
So make sure you actually BUY the album Brian, I know your ass downloaded it weeks ago!
yesssssssssssssssss come through concreteloop love the layout! this is Bey’s best album! lets go everybody go support some different music other than the stuff thats all over radio!
Wow, this album is AMAZING. My favorites are: “I Miss You” & “Love On Top” “Countdown”.
Those are my top 3 too!!
Never been a Beyonce fan (which is why I download this) ,but 4 is HOT!! Her best work, IMO . I love Rather Die Young, I Miss You, and Start Overr.
I’m feeling “I Care”, “1+1″, and “Dance for You.” The rest of the album I don’t care for so I will not be buying.
ok its late and to be paid maybe next time beyonce!
Hate to break up the cycle of praise, but I don’t think the album is stellar. I feel like she should have come a little harder than just visual and gimmick, and the “Queen” label is driving her more than anything else. HOWEVER, I respect everyone else’s opinion, I still think she is a phenomenal entertainer, she was great at the BET Awards performing one of the few songs from the album that I like: End of Time and killing it, I had the opportunity to see her accept her Billboard Award in person at the BMAs and it was nice, and she deserves her accolades. Whether her album sells well or not, her career isn’t fading anytime soon.
Gimmick? Please look at lady gaga and nicki manaj then look back at bey. Have a seat, sir.
I wasnt expected anything more from seeing on you judge her everytime you post but hey that’s your opinion. I think the album is stellar, it deserves every nomination and award.
Bizmark, yes Lady Gaga and Minaj are gimmicks as well, but aren’t talking about them, and LOOOL, are you someone that I had a previous argument with on this site? Cause only someone like that would be checking for me, I gave a sincere and honest opinion. Hey guess what, I like Keyshia Cole and Mary J Blige, but I know some people don’t care for em,’ am I gonna attack those people who don’t like them, no. It’s a free muthafuckin’ country. Grow the fuck UP!
@ Bizmark, yes, Beyonce IS a gimmick, too…she don’t have to dress like it’s Halloween to be a gimmick, you know…her biggest gimmick is…wait for it…wait for it….being “Sasha Fierce” – that in itself is a gimmick. Her damn name is Beyonce and when she’s on stage she’s Beyonce…she don’t have no split damn personality like she wants yall to believe…it’s a gimmick. Catch on, please.
Party ft Andre 3000.
That’s the hottest song!!!!!!
Party is my favorite song too. I purchased the Delux CD from Target and on the secon CD she has a song called “Dance for You” that I play over and over again…the cd is hot I must say.
this is my favorite song and i so love this album, i’be been following beyonce since the beginning and yes this is the best, it shows how she have matured and you can feel every song and almost picture her singing it lol
if i see dis yellow heffa wit her legs open ONE MOE TIME!!! come on now honey Bey, i like seeing you but i don’t need to see ALL OF YOU, save that “honey bey” for Jay Z PLEAZ (yes i meant to rhyme)
LOL HAHAHA!!! THIS FOOL THING IS LEG’S WIDE OPEN !!! BEYONCE LOVE’S HER LEG’S ALWAY’S WIDE OPEN THAT’S HOW DOWN SOUTH HOOKER’S ROLL ..SHE THINKS THAT WILL MAKE HER MORE APPEALING !!!! LOL WHAT’S SO INTERESTING HER ASS IS TRYING TO LOOK SEXY ,,,BUT SHE LOOK’S LIKE JAYZ COUNTRY HOOKER !!!HAHAHAHAHA !!! NO FASHION STYLE !!! OR CLASS !!! YOUNG LADIES BEYONCE IS NOT UR ROLL MODLE !!!
@ I LOVE THIS GAME
Wasnt it ur god rihanna that had her legs wide open in those NUDE PICS? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
HYPOCRITE. F*CK YOU
Great Album…that is all. I like how she has really made a gumbo of music! Don’t know which song is my fav.
does this bitch not twerk every time yass bey i need my copy in hand now cant wait to the tour now come on wit it
I downloaded it.. but i purchased it too.. because i think this is one deep Beyonce album.. not about sex, shaking your ass or anything.. its seems to be really from her heart. The first Beyonce album I ever got. Almost every song tells a different story. But I wont be surprised if the album dosen’t do too well, because people are just stuck on commercial ass shaking music. too bad a soulful album like this.. just wont do for modern society.!! Sucks really!!
Countdowm is one of her best songs. Hope this will be chosen to be her next single.
Please concreteloop, up your game. Beyonce is not the first woman to headline at Glastonbury- she is just the first woman to do it in the last two decades.
Google it dummy… she is the first woman ever… just fresh off watching interview with Piers Morgan who is British, he just compliment her on being the first. cmon people do ur home work
No she is not the first Woman ever.Suzanne Vega, who was the first woman to headline at Glastonbury in 1989, headlined on the acoustic stage at the same time as Beyonce. Followed by Sinéad O’Connor 1990 then again,Shakespear’s Sister 1992, Christy Moore 1993. It is You ‘STOP THE MADDNESS’ who needs learn how to use Google properly.
who gives a damn, she is the first black and first african american female
As i said earlier, she is the fifth woman to headline at GlastonBURY. GET IT RIGHT CONCRETELOOP
Don’t believe me: look at this article on the independent: http://www.independent.co…st-not-quite-2303656.html.
Over to you STOPTHE MADNESS and other ignoramuses.
she is the FIRST to Headline and close Glastonbury.Other women have performed but the press and EVEN GLASTONBURY claim she is the first to HEADLINE so why should we believe you?lol shes the first!the first!the first!1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 so get over it
Hey check out this choreo, its an interpretation for End of Time that I made for Beyonce prior to her BET performance I think you will enjoy.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-9nJezwBYc&feature=player_embedded#at=14
@stopthe madness…it is funny how an ignoraAMUS across the pond like you can spout some shit whilst me, a Brit who has been going to glastonbury for over a decade and relies on Piers Morgan for all things blighty is calling me “dummy”. Even the BBC website have updated their faux pas as their researchers got it wrong
Beyonce is not the first woman to headline, she is the first woman to headline glastonbury in over two decades.
Don’t believe me: look at this article on the independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/diary-beyonc-the-first-not-quite-2303656.html.
Over to you STOPTHE MADNESS and other ignoramuses.
oooohhh… ignoramus across the pond…. lol.. sounds condescending but appropriate
Now concreteloop will you alter your misguided assertion that Beyonce is the first female headliner? She is the fifth.
Glad to help. I hope my cheque is in the post.
By the way, i was there and Beyonce was sensational. An amaazing set!
She is the 1st African-American female…so that definitely counts as a 1st dear!
Enjoyable.
She is not the first woman. There was Suzanne Vega in 1989, and Skunk Anansie in 1999 – Skunk Anansie deserve a mention because they’re fronted by a black woman. Kylie Minogue was due to about 5 years ago but withdrew because of breast cancer. Piers Morgan and Jo Whiley (who did the post Glastonbury interview) did Beyonce wrong, in the name of getting exclusive interviews. Info on Glastonbury headliners from Wikipedia.
It’s a great album… “Schoolin Life” should have made the standard edition.
I KNOW OH I KNOW BRIAN COULDNT WAIT TO POST THAT REVIEW HE WROTE YEARS AGO
I am not a advocate for illegally downloading music i must say that this about it worth listening to but not worth your money.
One more thing. I just cannot understand why Beyonce ALWAYS says that she recorded HUNDREDS of songs for EVERY album that she releases. I want to asked her ”BITCH YOU RECORDED A 100 SONGS AND THIS IS THE BEST YOU CAN COME UP WITH???”
She doesn’t choose what goes on the standard addition record company does…
Awful, fawning review that didn’t give any real critique. And what was with the crayola-box approach to formatting this?
CL, you’re slipping. Badly.
I respect everyone’s opinions because that’s something that we all have to contribute. Whether you are a fan or not a fan, she’s done a lot in the entertainment world and that’s great. However, I haven’t liked NOTHING off of this album yet. Repetitive chants and beats that get stuck in the head with minimal actual singing does not a good album make. Dangerously in Love was a good little cohesive mix of music. It was a nice concerted effort to breakout of her “girl group” mode and strike it up on her own. But lyrically this song, nor has any song I have heard thus far has been that great from this album. It feels contrived and forced. She’s saying and doing everything I would expect of her but real “singing” is absent in my opinion. Truth be told I have never been a Beyonce fan. I think she’s more hype nowadays than anything but I was a Destiny Child’s fan and I liked D.I.L. but this 4 album? I’m just not feeling it at all. I do not understand why she gets such adoration. I don’t adore anyone that much and there have been far better singers and entertainers than Beyonce. It has nothing to do with her being black and I know a lot of people will say that other black people will try to tear her down because she’s on top and all this and that. I never tear anyone down for doing whatever it is that they want to do, but I’m not going to pay for lackluster content in songs either. I’m not going to edify so called “superstars” because they are here for the moment and make a song that I can dance to. Music is so much more than entertainment and showmanship and it’s been marred tragically by those who see only the glitz and fame but the true intent. Be careful what you listen to.
1. Double negatives are unacceptable. You should have said “I haven’t like ANYTHING..” That annoyed me. Moving on..
2. You’re fourth “sentence” is not an opinion it is blatantly invalid. Beyonce sings like never before on this album.
3. Why would you expect this from her when she has never constructed anything like this before?
4. Please identify which songs she doesn’t do real singing in (besides RTW), because I’m still lost with that one. And as an example, kindly identify an artist today who does the singing you are fond of.
5. You say, and I quote, “there have been far better singers and entertainers than Beyonce.” First of all that is your opinion, secondly what is your point? Beyonce’s talent should be deemed mediocre because there have been a few people better than her, in your opinion?
5. This album is filled with meaning and soul/heart…exactly what you people claimed Bey’s music lacked! So apparently..she cannot win either way. Now I see..
oh geez…I agree with your comment @B more rated…
honestly…my opinion… MEH. I’ll download the album…I think her vocals are reallly good…real powerful but meh the radio will overkill her music and shove it down everyones throats…run the world ..i hated it at first thought it was tacky…like ugh..still do…she did it over a played out beat shouldve just made her own she’s rich couldve paid diplo to make her an original beat never heard of before…other than that..meh.
I mean really? Does she have to have her legs open every album? It looks nasty
Gurrrlll!!!! Its ART dumb ass and maybe you need to open your legs every once in while and let your pu**y breathe. #HOES THINK EVERYTIME SOMEONE OPEN THERE LEGS THEY ARE READY FOR A D**K TO BE SHOVED IN THEM JUST BECAUSE THATS WHAT YOU DO.#DRINKING TEA IN THE SHADE LOL.
Lol ^
@TheRealDeal
You know very good and well she looks sexy, so deal. And let’s so you try..I’m sure you’ll look better, that is IF you can even do that.
LMFAO@68CanIOU1… #DEAD
When I first saw the photo I thought “really CL?” she has a ton of amazing photos in the album booklet and they pick that one!
I’ll definently be picking it up when I’m able to. I wasn’t sure about her music this go around, but I’ve heard some of the tracks that supposedly leaked and she got me once again.
I love how she didn’t steer away from her R&B side too much. It’s like now that she’s on top she’s going back to her roots, and I love it.
I just hope she doesn’t change too much physically. She’s starting to look like Lindsey Lohan.
I’m an opinionated fan. I think I’ve purchased every Bey album to date.
I def would not say she is back to her roots or even that there is much r&b on it… she played with different styles of music and displayed her voice in a way she hasn’t done on any of her other albums. I think this cd is her most different sound because its not really able to be categorized def not all pop or r&b or soul. I don’t know what it is…..I bought the cd because I feel like she really works hard to keep her fans entertained and I feel like she sets the bar for all other artists in the industry right now. Imo her best albums to date: dangerously in love and then bday. Ps the last cd I bought was 808′s and heartbreak! Second beyonce cd I have ever bought…
yeah you really have to know music and listen to enjoy this cd but I love it!!!!!!
That pic with her legs open looks a little disturbing.
lawd…the way ya’ll go at each other over this chick is insane. she ain’t think about nair none of ya! lol i haven’t heard the cd…probably never will because i don’t buy her full lengths like that. i did buy her first single on itunes…cuz it’s hot. but her music, over all, is fluff…so what, who cares? except children…
the Obamas, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Gaga, the 175,000 people who were at Glastonbury, aswell as the 2.5 MILLION who watched her performance PLUS her numerous fans across the world care.
This album will go down into history. That’s all I have to say.
4 is beyonce’s best album yet. i completely agree with this review!
I believe if she REALLY wanted to create her own lane she would have mastered her own sound. It seems as though she tried to be GREAT by COPYING the GREATS like Prince. What is Beyonce signature sound???
EXACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCTLY!!
If she doesnt have her signature sound then how can you know that this album is not typical Beyoncé and she copied others? Then what is is typical Beyoncé? As she clearly said this is her own mixture, she is not pop, she is not r&b, she is not dancehall, she is not dance, she is not funk, she is not rock, she is not ballad, she is not experimental, she is music!!!!!! And your ears can feel it after her live concert; this why critics called her queen of pop and r&b because you can not define her and saying she is copying Prince is very reducing, she doesnt do the electro pop shit but went back to the old sounds, it doesnt mean copy and if anything, if any artist dares “copying” prince, then they must be brilliant to pull it off. When you hear get me bodied or single ladies you know it’s the type of sound made by Beyoncé, when you hear live instruments played on typical pop or r&b songs, you know it’s beyoncé and she has been versatile and using instruments like percussuion, strings, base, harmonies since 2003. Which artist can you name out right now that does that with their music?
@SHHH
I LOVE YOU! This comment is nothing but FACTS. People kill me with the whole “copying so and so’s sound”. Like, goodbye. Cause if you think about it, a genre is a genre. If certain songs of hers happen to be that of Prince’s genre obviously it will sound like his music! But that’s neither here nor there. People do it with other artist too, like Adele and Selah Sue. Supposedly Selah “tries” to be like Adele but in reality, they just sing the same TYPE of music. People can be very delusional sometimes. There will NEVER be a time when EVERY single artist out is 100% original because music has influence and with influence you cannot have total originality. Period.
I AM A HARD DIE BEYONCE FAN…….THIS ALBUM HISTORY
4LOP!
Its obvious that you are delusional she will not flop
I was waiting for you because God knows you dont miss any of her posts! the album debuted at #1 on itunes in 12 countries so far including the us and uk, currently #1!
Here are the metacritic scores so far:
Consequence of Sound – Positive – 90/100
Pitchfork Magazine – Positive – 80/100
Spin Magazine – Positive – 80/100
Hip Hop DX – Positive – 80/100
The Observer (UK) – Positive – 80/100
The Boston Globe – Positive – 80/100
BBC Music (UK) – Positive – 80/100
HOT Press – Positive – 80/100
Sputnik Music – Positive – 80/100
Entertainment Weekly – Positive – 75/100
Rolling Stone – Positive – 70/100
Slant Magazine – Positive – 70/100
CokeMachine Glow – Positive – 70/100
Chicago Tribune – Positive – 63/100
The Independent On Sunday (UK) – Mixed – 60/100
The Guardian (UK) – Mixed – 60/100
NOW Magazine (Canada) – Mixed – 60/100
The Telegraph (UK) – Mixed – 60/100
HELL TO DA NO! Its actually :
Consequence of Sound – Positive – 50/100
Pitchfork Magazine – Positive – 10/100
Spin Magazine – Positive – 20/100
Hip Hop DX – Positive – 80/100
The Observer (UK) – Positive – 25/100
The Boston Globe – Positive – 20/100
BBC Music (UK) – Positive – 50/100
HOT Press – Positive – 25/100
Sputnik Music – Positive – 15/100
Entertainment Weekly – Positive – 10/100
Rolling Stone – Positive – 30/100
Slant Magazine – Positive – 50/100
CokeMachine Glow – Positive – 40/100
Chicago Tribune – Positive – 43/100
The Independent On Sunday (UK) – Mixed – 30/100
The Guardian (UK) – Mixed – 60/100
NOW Magazine (Canada) – Mixed – 60/100
The Telegraph (UK) – Mixed – 60/100
More changes here too :
The Guardian (UK) – Mixed – 20/100
NOW Magazine (Canada) – Mixed – 20/100
The Telegraph (UK) – Mixed – 23/100
HATERS EQUAL CRAZY
@ OVER you wish and could, only wish! you cant hide ths sun with your hand dumbass! the album is having excellent reviews, even on itunes!
She looks so disgusting and trashy in the promo pic. Since when was it appropriate for women to have their legs and coochie spread out in pics? It’s so classless and nasty. This album is going to flop. It’ll probably get a high first week of sales and then drastically decline down the charts. I will say that it’s good that she decided to do her own thing instead of jumping onto the pop and trendy bandwagon like she’s done in the past, but her time is up and her music is wack. Til The End of time is nice, but I haven’t been feeling any of her other new stuff.
it is apart of art dont u get it and she will not flop please believe
Basic bitches never get sh!t right, it’s a goddamn artistic photoshoot, key word, photoshoot, I met beyoncé and she is the classiest, gracious artist ever, there is a fine line between working as an entertainer and the real life, if you think this is disgusting then you might have one of the dirtiest minds to think about sex; how do you feel about gymnasts or pink’s performance in the air spreading them wide in a thong? next thing you know photographers will ask models to try to do the same fierce pose, they did it before; beyoncé knows how to be iconic.
Damn how much is Beyonce paying this site for promo? It’s not enough that every other post is about beyonce, but now there’s this ad masquerading as a album review. There’s not one slight criticism of the album. Don’t even get me started on the new layout -_-. I have nothing against Beyonce but this is getting ridiculous. When’s the last time CL went this hard for an album?
WOOWWWW LISTENING TO END OF TIME !!! DANCING AND CRYING!! I LOVE BEYONCE SO MUCH! SHE WORKS SOO HARD! THIS IS HER GROW UP ALBUM! SHE PROVE WHY SHES ON TOP! IF U DONT LOVE BEYONCE! DONT COMMENT AT ALL! CAUSE U CAN NOT SAY THIS GIRL DOES NOT WORK HARD! AND SHE REP HER FEMALES HARD! AND THEY HER NUMBER 1 HATERS I DONT GET IT AT ALL! IM SO PROUD OF HER MANNN!
You are so true. Love this album, especially “Til the end of time” and Best Thing I never Had.” Plus this woman is dancing her butt off, gotta respect it.
She looks like a cracked out hooker. I mean really Bey. You’re gonna be 30 & this is how you come at us? Evolve already before you get stepped over.
she will not be stepped over she is number one in many countries right now
Cosign. Lol, i wanna know what steroid ish she on. Look@ her try to split that puzzy. It look like thats really the cover to the How TO Split That Puzzy video. Hilarious
This whitish looking black woman look like one crazy biatch.
i am a beyonce fan but whats been up with the selling sex so heavy
Wish people would stop hating. Just shows that your stuck and 1 dimensional when you can’t see an artist’s growth. This album is taking the game to another level and all these other artists need to step it up. She is trying to make classic hits not singles like i.e (Kelly, but I do love her). If you can’t appreciate it then oh well. Her real fans appreciate. I love this freakin album. Real love songs that I can relate to
She grew up. I’m so happy she went this route. Other aging pop stars try to cater to young people when they should cater to their own age group. This is a great album and I enjoyed listening to it. Great Job!
Well I got the album today..and its really HOT..she sounds like shes at a different place in her life, and its just a really strong record. Thats my opinion (Great Album)
The album is absolutely amazing. This is definitely not commercial but wow, it’s amazing, old school, new school, futuristic, soul, r&b, pop, rock, funk, african, ballad, everything plus vocals, now thank Beyoncé for these vocals and emotion. I wish her the best.
Look who wrote it speaks for itself a Beyonce fan so there will be no flaws, smh. This is why she is so successful because of her fans and he affiliation with ….., not her talent. Most artist who have talent ie Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, have the support but not all together up stairs. Sad but true.
hoe thats the same thing they say about ur stank azz puZzie!! have a seat.
and why are you looking for flaws anyway? that is his opinion, not yours, he didnt lie one bit, fan or not!
How is an album cohesive when its “sound” spans decades? Which is something I appreciate bc she essentially covered the sounds of the 70′s to now. But the lyrics are weak on most tracks (IMO) and rely on her voice (she sounds great) to attempt to bring the songs to life. She makes them sound good, but the mediocrity works my nerves. I like Love On Top and Party for sure. Countdown and BTINH was ehhhh. Everything else was forgettable.
lmbao Judging from her split…its no wonder her husband is following her around like a ttained puppy
I am very disappointed and somewhat appalled that Beyonce would put this crap out? Really B? Come on…you’re supposed to be the Queen…what’s going on?!!!! Well, clearly someone is coming for your spot because you just dethroned yourself with this album!!! I like two songs on this album, that is it. I want the old Beyonce back…her last album was mediocre and this one isn’t even worth the mediocre title. All these positive reviews, I am convinced her label or her team wrote these reviews. There is no way anyone with somewhat decent hearing would listen to this and say this is a Great album…really?! Jazmine Sulivan’s album was better than this, Ledisi’s album is better than this…Beyonce you just did Kelly Rowland a favor…it’s your time to shine now Ms. Kelly…Beyonce made it extremely easy by putting out this crap! Is this what happens when you part ways with Matthew?
lol black people.. cumon!! do you see whites doing this to Gaga???? really?? Beyonce is the best we have so deal with it tina!! and based on the reviews of your p*ssy even ashanti beating you!! bwahaha has been!
then why are you spending your time here? ppl kill me, if you dont like the album, millions do including critics, she dont have to pay them, they know what good music is, if you want “the old beyoncé”, listen to “the old beyoncé” and now I see where you were coming from, hater and kelly’s stan, try again, you’re mad the album is hot and is doing well around the world, it is the begining, just watch….
I like the cd? Diffrent for beyonce
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEYONCE’S “4″. IT CLEARLY SHOWS HER GROWTH AND THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE TO TRY TO HARD TO GET HER MESSAGE ACROSS. WITH THIS ALBUM, SHE HAS COME INTO HER OWN SOLIDIFYING HER WELL DESERVED MARK IN THE INDUSRTY. “4″ IS A FRESH BREATH OF AIR AND I HONSETLY HAVE NOT HEARD ANY MUSIC LIKE THIS IN A LONG TIME. SOME STANDOUT SONGS FOR ME ARE I CARE, I MISS YOU,RATHER DIE YOUNG, END OF TIME AND START OVER, THEY ARE MY TOP 5 SONGS. I WAS HERE IS HEART WRENCHING AND HAS A UNIQUE RAWNESS TO IT. B IS LETTING EVERYONE KNOW SHE IS AND WILL REMAIN “HERE” FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. “4″ GETS A 5 STAR RATING FROM ME.
Why don’t you go and have some babies for your husband. Your music is tired now. You said you wanted a baby on Piers Morgan so stay home and get pregnant.
You look like a pasty white girl on your album cover. You get any lighter you will start looking like Michael Jackson complexion.
stfu b*tch… wait is this kerry??? bwahaha babes why u mad?
@WHAT THE HELL….WHY ARE YOU SO INTERESTED IN BEYONCE’S PERSONAL LIFE. YOU SOUND LIKE AN IMMATURE PERSON WHO HAS A LOT OF GROWING UP TO DO. I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE HAVING THEIR OWN OPINIONS BUT YOU ARE TAKING IT A LITTLE TOO FAR AS IF SHE HAS DONE SOMETHING PERSONAL TO YOU. THIS POST WAS ABOUT HER ALBUM NOT HER SKIN COMPLEXION OR WHETHER OR NOT SHE LOOKS LIKE A WHITE GIRL. GROW UP!
BEYONCE WILL NOT SELL ONE MILLION ALBUMS IN A WEEK..
and who told you she intended to? o_o her first week sales for her 3 previous are around 300-500k, she will sell around these numbers…
kayne west and lil wayne are the only black artist that can…