♫ 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.
Purchased the CD today and it was HORRIBLE. I will try to resale it on Amazon to recoup some of my money back.
I predict 250-400k first week
I will not give her a pass because of who she is… my verdict, this album is a fail…. Will it sell, I’m sure she has a shit load of fans, but for me… NO
This album is just not good… from the boring oversang ballads, to the questionable “bangers” The only one is Who Runs the World, but then the only thing that makes that good is the beat… How many straight men will be singing that in a club? Lord Such a disappointment
I”m glad I downloaded it for FREE yesterday.. I would be PISSED if I spent money on it.. I LIKE BEYONCE.. I really do… However, people saying this is her best effort are just lying. Also for “industry people” to say this, is nothing more than a marketing ploy.
Sad day …
NO, PEOPLE WHO ARE STATING THAT THIS IS HER BEST EFFORT IS JUST STATING THEIR OWN PERSONAL OPINION JUST AS YOU ARE. PLEASE DO NOT SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHEN YOU SAY THE ALBUM IS A FAIL BECAUSE YOU DEFINITELY DONT SPEAK FOR ME.
Overall I think “4″ is a strong album. It’s very eclectic yet true to her R&B roots. I like how the records are influenced by so many different sounds yet they coincide with each other. My favorite song on the album is “Rather Die Young”, it’s sorta brilliant. I also love “Start Over”, “Party”, “Love On Top”, and “1+1″ is the most incredible record she’s ever done vocally.
I have to agree that the first 3 single SUK but the rest of this album is SOLID and shows much growth. Its actually the first ADULT sounding album she has recorded to this date…
The songs START OVER, MiSS YOU are EXCEPTIONAL vocally…EXCELLENT song, why she hasnt released these as singles is astonishing???
if you were expecting some pop auto tune euro techno gargabe; if you were expecting some uptempos only to dance to, you are gon be dispapointed; but if you know what music consisted in decades ago and if you’re musically grown enough to appreciate real ballads and r&b, if you’re willing to experience some diffference compared to whats out now, you gon bow down to this album and I did, perfection!
I agree !
I so agree!
My review of 4:
This album travelled through time, is the album by Beyoncé I’ve been waiting for her to deliver. She takes us to a new level and shows that she is a GRAND musician, young artist with an old musical spirit. The majority of the song are timeless, when Beyoncé is 60 years old, she would still be able to sing these songs. No active artist out today is doing what Beyoncé has done with this album. The most accomplished Beyoncé album. She has high chances to win more grammys.
1+1: 5/5
Classic. The type of song that will never get old and that will be covered for years. It is an amazing mixture of Soul & Soft-Rock. Very reminiscent of Prince in his prime time. There is no current artist that will release a song like this one. Beyoncé makes sure we hear the electronic guitar beautifully playing. The lyrics emphasize that if you don’t have anything, when there’s nothing left, there is still the love, hence why they chose simple lyrics as “I don’t know much how algebra but I know 1+1 equals 2, and it’s me & you we’ll have when the world is through”.
I Care: 5/5
One of the best songs and vocal performances of the album! Very aggressive, very rock-ish, you can feel the emotion in the voice, she screamed as if she was crying, she mimic’ed the guitar which is the best part, with her voice showing versatility, hitting the high notes. This needs to be performed live.
I Miss You: 4.5/5
This song and Beyoncé’s voice are very haunting. One thing with Beyoncé is that, even when you’re not concerned about the lyrics she is singing about, you can feel any part of the emotion she is conveying you to. This song reminds me of “Disapear” from the IASF album. Beyoncé’s low register is always full of sincerity. “It don’t matter who you are, it is so simple, a feeling, but it’s everything”.
Best Thing I Never Had: 3.5/5
Amazing ballad with the beautiful piano notes, the lyrics are the best part, so truthful and the bridge of the song is absolutely beautiful. Beyoncé sings with conviction and makes you believe the lyrics. One of her best ballads ever sung. Babyface wrote this song, no surprise.
Party: 5/5
This song is the perfect mixture of anything amazing that came in the early 90′s. R&B and Hip-Hop combined without being over-the top. It was flowing, it is relaxing, you just want to groove, to sing, you just want to have your drink, you just want to have a pool or backyard party with some barbecue! The harmonies, no one is singing with them anymore in this current music industry, very reminisenct of the R&B girl groups. The instrumental is very old school. Andre 3000′s addition goes hard without trying hard, it came as affortless! Who can claim they worked with the two Outkast members in different albums? Lol. It took me some time to notice that she was singin about losing your virginity in that song.
Rather Die Young: 5/5
This song is the essence of the 70′s. I want to put on my afro wig, my colorful outfits and jam to it. It reminds me of a 70′s love movie as well. Beyoncé & Franck Ocean did that. It’s something I see Stevie Wonder singing or Tammi & Marvin, perfectly in duo. It’s very grown and sexy. Another timeless song that Beyoncé could never even old.
Start Over: 3.5/5
This song is concentrating on the vocals, very strong. The beat reminds me of somehting that belonged to Kanye’s 808′s & heartbreak album. It’s very futuristic with an R&B taste. It’s also kind of dark. Beyoncé delivered, the lyrics I’m surethe lyrics could hit anyone home.
Love On Top: 5/5
Here we are, a period bewteen the 70′s and 80′s! I swear this song made me feel like I was hearing both Whitney in her early prime time and most of all, MJ during his Jackson 5 days! I thank Beyoncé personally for this! This is music! It’s brilliant and is the best vocal performance of the album, it reminded so much of MJ as a child and I know she had to really make some special efforts to have her vocals sounding like that, they sound young, full of energy, joyful! I dont see once again any artist out doing these kind of things on an album excepting my girl Jazmine Sullivan. Good mix of Pop and R&B.
Countdown: 3.5/5
This song is the most Beyoncé-esque song of the album! It’s amazing, I can’t put my finger on it because if you listen closely to the instrumental, it’s very a fusion-genre song, kind of experimental, it’s R&B, dancehall, Pop, futuristic! it’s great to dance to!
End Of Time: 100/5
This song ios simply perfection. The intro is amazing, I can feel so much of Fela Kuti in the intro. The type of song that you gon dance to with your whole family, the type of song that is going to be sung and danced to around the world, from Africa to Brazil! Very reminiscent of the brazilian and african funk! The drums, the horns, the bass are insane! But the harmonies are the most beautiful and chorus reminded me of MJ and Janet. Once again, the music industry lacks harmonies and Beyoncé always bring them to the table, that was real singing, the fast singing is one of Beyoncé’s signature vocal styles, amazing. The bridge “I just wanna love, I just wanna live for you, I never let you go” sound immense. This is by far my favorite song by her ever.
I Was Here: 4.5/5
Singing such a song before hitting 30 speaks volumes. Beyoncé sings about what she wants to be remembered for. The legendary songwriter Diana Warren claimed that Beyoncé singing this song was one of the best moments of her life and I understand because I cried. I thought about all the things Beyoncé has done, all the hatred she receives for nothing, all the passion, hard work and dedication to her fans. This song tells you that she did it all, sh’ve seen it all, she lived a life, she had a career, she was loved and loved. She made her own imprint indeed in the sand of time and will never ever be forgotten. The vocals have so much emotion in them! One of her best ballads if not the best.
Run The World: 4/5
Contrary to the general opinion, this song is the bomb! It’s undescriptable, it’s experimental, it’s not R&b, not pop, not dancehall, not african music, it’s just larger. I love her female empowering songs, it shows her brave and risky side, and that’s what it’s all about, no safety here, it’s just unique, nothing sounds like this on the radio and the beat goes hard. It’s unfortunate people didnt get it but every risky song gets this treatment. Beyoncé runs the world indeed, the last note to end the album…
You did an excellent job reviewing this CD! I would have to agree with everything besides I care. That song irks me for some reason, don’t get me wrong her vocals are beautiful, but the song itself is just a filler to me. It’s just one of those “we need to make a song that sounds deep” but the lyrics suck. I hope she is awarded for this CD b/c she actually deserves it for this material! Off the topic, but everytime someone sways away from the richness of the lyrics and vocals and tries to do that techno party or commercial music it always sucks…i.e. Trey Songs & Usher.. I loved LP Gotta Make It b/c it had soul, but his newer material just was so not as thoughout. This LP is so good;I would personally love to tell Beyonce (and everyone involved)to her face how wonderful this CD was if I could.
I think it’s safe to say not EVERY song on the album is flat our amazing. BUT let’s not forget she has some hits. Not every song will win every listener. Unless you’re her biggest d*ck rider. She did herself some justice coming back with this album. Kudos B !
So people can’t just be fans anymore, they have to be d*ck riders as you put it? Wow, how classy!
I need the commentor “BSTAN” to FOCUS… F@#$ Off Cause U’re Stupid…
like Beyonce but stans like BSTAN are so fukkin annoying
Great album despite whether or not it is a commercial success no one can deny that this album sounds nothing like her other albums yet still sounds like Beyonce.
Beyonce has been singing since she was a young girl. Her parents supported her dreams, and she has done some amazing things in regards to her music, and other business accomplishments. If you have children, please support them in the things that bring them joy, and they love to do. I congratulate Tina Knowles and Matthew Knowles for all of their hardwork to get Beyonce to where she is today. Regardless what you think of her, you cannot take away her success.
Some of y’all don’t like her or her music, but you sure did carry your confused ass to this post to comment. Oh, the love. Just go listen to your copy of 4 (’cause I know you bought one!) & put the “shut” to the “up”.
I downloaded the album and it is very bland…no tracks that you can really move to. The emotions on the tracks are very disconnected. It sounds like oldies music that no one will remember. If this is the true Beyonce then she owes her entire career to Sasha! The Washington post hates this album. And I don’t disagree with them. It could put you to sleep. This is not the Beyonce we feel in love with
Why do you all take some much time to hate on Bey? Can one of the haters please answer that for me? First off, she can less. While you all are hating, her and her team are staying in the bank cashing checks. Get your weight up first, then criticize. if you aint got Oprah type money like she does, then STFU!
she don’t have Oprah type money…lol..stans are funny… and what is ‘she can less’
As much as I love concreteloop, I am really beginning to wonder what roles the Knowles family plays with this site. I have never read a CL posted album review like the one above aboue “4.” Im in utter disgust….
Beyonce is the first african american woman to head glastonbury!!!! I’m sure other woman have at some point but yall need to stop hating on her!!! She is representing for Black women and we need to be proud and support her
TERRIFIC ALBUM
HATERS CAN KISS MY A$$ LMAO.
BEYONCE HAS PROVEN TO BE THE BEST AT WHAT SHE DOES. YOUR FAVOURITES CAN’T EVEN COME CLOSE AT THIS POINT.
only of the favs are from late 90′s to now… Bey hasn’t reach my favs standards so keep talking youngster
If Rihanna took this picture, everyone would call her a whore.
Thats because she is…anyway who is even talking about rihanna she isn’t even in th same league as beyonce. Go to rih rihs site and compare her to one of her peers such as kesha.
Their both hoochies, what’s new. Beyonce dances around in leotards in all of her performances. Rihanna’s outfits are a mostly underwear and she dresses like that to make up for her lack of talent.
BEYONCE ISNT A HOOCHIE..AND SHE IS MAJOR RIGHT NOW
@sassywitit
EXACTLY. This broad is always Ass out/Legs open. But because she’s OLD and R&B, she gets a pass, right?
Bey stans calling Rihanna a whore = The pot calling the kettle black.
child there is a difference between a beyoncé and a rihanna, rihanne herself said in an interview that she wasnt a hoe but she was hoe-ish; all the ppl including celebs who met beyonce talked about how classy and gracious she was, even steveie nicks yesterday on tv was talking about it; this image has nothing to be shcoked or disgusted about only if you have a dirty mind, this is art, she is not giving you a vagina shot, she got her legs spread and her arms spread, as clear as day it was done on purpose for art, this is the type of pose that becomes iconic and photographers want models to reproduce just like they did for her sasha fierce pose on the CD with these crazy heels; you will never see beyoncé wearing leaotards outside the stage, with all the energy and body movements she does, its more than appropriate to have her legs free, when she sings a ballad, she is in a dress; rihanna on the other hand dont even dance so she could be fully dressed but she wears thongs, we all see how rihanna acts on twitter and she lacks class and is unlady like; hell gaga is bare chested in a thong all the time! so child please
At least Rihanna ADMIITTED her hoe-ish ways. You Bey stans are in denial. She dances like a hoe ,shakes her ass like a hoe, and spreads her legs in her videos like a hoe. And it doesnt matter if she’s on stage or not, You DO NOT have to be half naked to dance.
CL is really brown nosing Beyonce…damn, lol. I wonder how much she payed them. Anyway, her album is the same as all her other crap, except that she is finally actually singing in a few songs.
How is the same, post ahead said it was ‘not the same Beyonce they fell in love with’?
how is her album “the same as her other crap”? explain this to me because I thought it def wasnt the typical beyoncé, the only typical beyoncé song was countdown, and even that, it sounds very different
she babbid 2 and she b getting all that hype for nothing
Great Review! Beyonce’s album is the hotness! I wish people wpuld just give her the props that she deserves.
The review was so true…and i give the album 5 out of 5 stars..and is not becuz im a beyonce stan cuz im and way bigger Brandy stan, but the album is really great. I think everyone should give it a chance cuz she really did take it back…..
First of all…Everyone who is hating on Bey needs to get a life…Beyonce is one of the HARDEST WORKING entertainers of our generation…I believe the saying is “Opinions are like a##holes, everyone has one”, so I will say that you’re entitled to say what you want about her album, but she works hard…she not a microwave performer like 80% of artist in the industry. And so what she is married, let her live. If she wants to shout to the world that she is in love, let her be. Its funny b/c while everyone is ranting about how they hate her album and so on and so forth, Beyonce is making her $$$, enjoying her life and killing them on the stage.
This woman projects utter pain and love in every song she sang on this album. This is an album for a lifetime, her best work. I must admit, Sasha Fierce was not a good album. Were it not for the commercial success of Single Ladies, it would have failed. Boring, trite songs. This album, however, gives insight to who Beyonce really is: light hearted, spirited, unabashed and unashamed of her pride, success, and quintessential love for old school music.
This album has a few misses: Start Over and Rather Die Young are songs I could live without. Love On Top, Lay Up Under Me, End Of Time, Schoolin’ Life, Countdown, Party, I Care, I Miss You, 1+1, Run the World, though, are songs that show this woman is confident, soothing, in love with her life and happy to have her place. There is no need to PROVE anything anymore with Beyonce Knowles; this is a fan favorite.
Those with real appreciation for Beyonces newfound vocal awareness and spirit will enjoy 4 as a career high and elemental peak.
I’m fuckin wit “countdown” right now! and “schoolin life”
i think this review hit it RIGHT ON THE HEAD!! GOOD JOB!!!
Honestly, i traveled to DC, B-more and Philly last month, and did not hear not one song, on this album. NOt even the “Run te World” wasnt even played…on the radio. I Think she’s talented, but come-on…this is not want i want to rush to buy.
Beyonce really put in work and thought into this album “4″ unlike other young female artists these days. This is all 100% Beyonce, NO Sasha Fierce. You can feel the soul in every single song. I just had to buy the original & the deluxe version of this album. TIMELESS MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!
-LOVE YOU KING B.
I can’t not wait to buy Beyonce 4 album it’s pretty good to hear that.
I can see beyonce record company has a billboard advertisment on this site. I guess we can all say they are paying C.Ls bills???? ___that explains it_
I see a Ciroc Banner…..
Even tho I’m not a biggest Beyonce fan, but I have to say, this is the best album from her next to Dangerously In Love, I can honestly say. For myself personally, I wish she released the other tracks like- Dreaming, Lay Up Under Me, Dance For You and Schoolin’ Life than putting Girls (Who Run The World ) in this album, I still don’t like that track. I just finished her MTV Year 4 doc, and I have to say, she’s very humble in a sense, she said, she doesn’t care about the sales, the reviews, the whole prooving herself,competeing with other artists, to her it’s the music!! I respect artists who are like that. People need to stop hating and give credit where is due, she works hard, that’s it. All this negativity that she’s flopping, have you hear her in a negative light?? If the answer is no, then shut it. Just appreciate the music, when the artist is dead and gone, then you feel that you miss there music and what they stand for. Appreciate the music, nothing else!!
So I must say I am bias but this is some good stuff!
I think we should all get out of the mindset of all music sounding the same. Bey took risk on this album and I appreciate it. The album may not be the greatest but I promise you it is not crap. Only critique that I have for the entire project is that I want more songs! Great job Bey!
You haters act like she is hurting for your dollar! Keep your pocket change you jealous, hulk looking creatures! While you are struggling to pay for you $2 loaf of bread at wal-mart beyonce is flying to france and eating the real thing from 3 star Michelin chefs. You wish you lived her life and had the talent she has. I don’t agree with a lot of the people on here saying that her lyrics were weak. She put out lyrics just as good as anyone from any secular genre. The difference now is the vibe in her music. It’s more her that ever. I like the album and one thing I’m come to expect from her is that she is a trendsetter not a follower. I knew her album wasn’t going to follow this white people influenced techno/dance crap that’s going on where all you need to make a hit song is say “Oh” and put an echo on it. It’s a good album, I would love to hear her do more real black R&B again. I will say I was expecting more as far as the merging of international sounds in the album. She said that she was influenced by the sound of different cultures and wanted mix them up in this album but she didn’t except on the single “Run the world (Girls)” where she added an african vibe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TctWAhtb18 check this out kingcofield keep dancing on me preview
follow me on twitter.com/inthelayne
It’s magnifique !
J’aime beyoncé
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AMAZING ALBUM. Everyone on here who is saying this album is horrible, well have you actually listened to it? Idk how anyone could possibly hear this CD and think poorly of it. This and Dangerously in Love are my favorites b/c the songs have substance(LOVE). I don’t like those cliche pop radio singles, it took time for Best Thing I Never Had to grown on me after listening to it in the car b/c it was so mainstream. Every song on here is outstanding besides I Care (#2) – she could have kept that or replaced it with another choice before releasing. RATHER DIE YOUNG … is a classic! Thats a song you can hear over and over and never tire of! The way she feels about her husband is inspiring and beautiful. This CD is an intimate look into her heart and her love for him. I heard so many horrible things about this CD…how it was a flop, etc., so I was leery when I first got it, but now it’s what I listen to the most. I’m an R&B head, and this delivers she really makes you feel something with this one… Nay sayers please just give this CD a fair listen before you critize.
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