Review Summary: Lemonade is an album worth listening to and will not disappoint.
Sometimes we get the wrong idea about an artist and it’s not until we really listen to them that we hear all that they are trying to scream to us. I never gave Beyonce a second thought until really listening to her sixth studio album, Lemonade, and the least I owe her is a review explaining just how beautiful this piece of art is.
Beyonce and her husband, Jay Z, are known for being reserved in their lives. The press does not hound their children and their lives remain fairly private considering just how much status the duo has. Recently however, that all changed as rumors of Jay Z cheating and a possible divorce got out. As a musician myself I tend to find the beauty in pain and that is exactly what Beyonce did with this album releasing not only her music, but herself into the world.
The album is one of the most emotionally powerful pieces of music of the year as Beyonce takes listeners on the roller coaster of emotions she experienced during this time of pain. The opening track, Pray You Catch Me, is one of the strongest on the album and features ambient background vocals with strong lyrics by Beyonce and a simple piano.
While the tracks in the beginning of the album feature feelings of anger and betrayal, the middle is filled more with a sadness. Songs like Daddy Lessons, an oddly fitting country style song, and Love Drought take listeners through the pains of love while still remaining powerful in themselves.
Sandcastles, the eight track, serves as a definitive turning point for the album as Beyonce moves from the feelings of uncertainty that she has expressed consistently to a stance of independence and acceptance. It’s a beautiful piano ballad that avoids cheesy lyrics and the threat of boredom providing a solid musical experience.
The final four tracks of Lemonade Â*seem to capture Beyonce’s ambitions as a woman and as an African American as she stands up for her choices. Freedom, the tenth track, features Kendrick Lamar whose rap is both powerful and motivating. The song focuses on racial tensions and does so in a very raw way that will leave an impact on most listeners.
The album is not perfect, but it is and always will be a defining moment for music and for Beyonce. A piece of art that can reach a wide audience and that delivers its message fully and beautifully, Lemonade is worth a listen and, dare I say, a Grammy. Â*Â*
