MUSIC REVIEW – LEMONADE (Beyonce)

Three things:

1.) You'll not appreciate this album until you listen to it with a sound earpiece or a deck with good woofer.

2.) You need to watch the movie to understand the songs and get the full concept of the album.

3.) Don't listen to the album in shuffle mode. Follow the songs track by track and flow with the story.

Lemonade in its entirety is a master piece. I love the mix of genres in the album. R&B, Pop, Trap, Reggae, there’s even a country song! The versatility is commendable.

Her first three albums were about hit singles while her last three has been about the direction of each album as a work of art with a clear message being told in every song.

When she released music videos for all the songs on B’day I knew she was a visual person. She needed to show people exactly what she was trying to say in her songs, she needed them to not only hear but also see the story. Dropping all videos at once when Beyonce was released didn't give the full impact I felt she was going for. There was a disconnect somewhere.

Finally, she got it right with the lemonade movie. The voice over, the flow of the songs and segments puts the viewer/listener in the story.

Lemonade is pure truth. She spoke from a place of hurt and pain which she artistically turned it into something beautiful.

I'm not going to argue if it's about Jay-Z or not. Heck, inspiration could be from her parent’s broken marriage. Art doesn't necessarily need to be a reflection of the artist's personal life.

If indeed it's was her personal life, the lyrics on daddy lessons where she sings about her dad before he died makes you question it all. Once thing we all know for sure is, her dad isn't dead.

Why don't we forget who inspired the album or who Becky with good hair is and just enjoy this lovely glass of lemonade?

My favourite song on the album is All night. Funny, Bey recently said it was also her favourite track on the album at her formation tour.

The album has a Metacritic score of 92. One of the highest ever for a female album. It is universally acclaimed and the best reviewed album of 2016 so far. Even Rolling stone had to bow down and gave the album 5 stars, something they rarely do.

I’m going to break down the album based on the Lemonade movie.This shall encompass excerpts of the various segments of the movie which features poetry by Warsan Shire, a Somali-British poet, as well as the songs.

"Intuition"

Where do you go when you go quiet?

You remind me of my father, a magician... able to exist in two places at once. In the tradition of men in my blood, you come home at 3 a.m. and lie to me.

What are you hiding?

Track 1 - Pray you catch me

This is a perfect album opening track. The solemn quietness of the song leaves you pondering and wondering what the album would be about.

Best lines:

Nothing else ever seems to hurt like the smile on your face

When it’s only in my memory, it don’t hit me quite the same

….

What are you doing my love?

[

"Denial"

…but still inside me, coiled deep, was the need to know

Are you cheating on me?

Track 2 – Hold on

This song totally got me at first listen. The song is of reggae genre.

The visuals of the song made it even more enjoyable. The way she opens the door and then the water rushes out onto the stairs #badass.

Best lines:

How did it come down to this? Scrolling through your call list

I don’t wanna lose my pride, but I’mma fuck me up a bitch

"Anger"

Why can't you see me? Why can't you see me? Why can't you see me? Everyone else can.

Track 3 – Don’t hurt yourself

Impressive rock influenced track. The diversity of the genres in the album is one thing that makes it a stand out album.

If he doesn’t step up she’ll leave him ass on the floor! Unapologetically vulgar and full of swear words! You can feel her anger and rage on this track.

Best lines:

Uh, this is your final warning

You know I give you life

If you try this shit again

You gonna lose your wife

(in the visuals she takes her ring off and throws it at the camera, lights out!)

"Apathy"

Ashes to ashes, dust to side chicks.

Track 4 – Sorry

From the anger and rage you feel when you discover they’ve been doing you wrong, you cross over to the stage when you are done with them. You couldn’t care less if the humping a goat. You just done and you aren’t sorry about it. To hell with them and their b.s

Best lines:

Looking at my watch he should’ve been home

Today I regret the night I put that ring on

He always got them fucking excuses

I pray to the Lord you reveal what his truth is

….

He better call Becky with the good hair

"Emptiness"

Every fear ... every nightmare ... anyone has ever had.

Track 5 – 6 inch

This is a pop song that talks about female empowerment. She is known for always having a female empowerment song in every album. This is the point where she’s her own boss, even without her man she can still shut down shii and go about her business.

"Accountability"

Mother dearest, let me inherit the earth. Teach me how to make him beg. Let me make up for the years he made you wait. Did he bend your reflection? Did he make you forget your own name? Did he convince you he was a god? Did you get on your knees daily? Do his eyes close like doors? Are you a slave to the back of his head?

Am I talking about your husband or your father?

Track 6 – Daddy Lessons

I never thought Beyonce would be able to nail a country music song so effortlessly! She totally crossed over on this on.

We all know about her dad’s infidelity drama. That’s what the song references majorly. This is about her dad warning her about men like him who go about breaking girl’s heart.

"Reformation"

I ask him to look me in the eye when I come home.

Why do you deny yourself heaven?

Why do you consider yourself undeserving?

Why are you afraid of love?

You think it's not possible for someone like you.

But you are the love of my life.

Track 7 – Love Drought

This song was a major bore on first listen. The lyrics of the song saved it for me. When I got the words clearly I felt the deep message and I connected with the song.

This is the point where she begins to question things. Is it worth throwing away all they’ve built? She has let out all the rage and anger and is now considering saving their relationship.

She sings -

Ten times out of nine, I know you are lying

But nine times outta ten I know you’re trying

So I’m trying to be fair

And you’re trying to be there and to care

And you’re caught up in your permanent emotions

Best lines:

I always paid attention, been devoted

Tell me, what did I do wrong?

Oh, already asked that, my bad

But you my lifeline, think you tryna kill me?

"Forgiveness"

If we're gonna heal, let it be glorious.

Track 8 – Sandcastles

This is the point at which she forgave. The song is a short ballad filled with raw feeling and honestly. Watching the visuals, you’d be tempted to conclude Jay Z actually shitted. The way he looked guilty, broken and vulnerable in the video.

Still, I feel the song was too real and beautiful to be that.

Best lines:

And your heart is broken ‘cause I walked away

Show me your scars and I won’t walk away

And I know I promised that I couldn’t stay

But every promise don’t work out that way

"Resurrection"

When your back gets against the wall and your wall against your back, who you call? Hey! Who you call? Who you call? You gotta call Him. You gotta call Jesus. You gotta call Him. You gotta call Him 'cause you ain't got another hope.

Track 9 – Forward

This is more or less a transition interlude that had James Blake taking most of the song with Bey merging with him at the end.

This is the point they both decide to win the battle and forge ahead with rebuilding their relationship.

Best lines:

Go back to your sleep in your favorite spot

Just next to me…

"Hope"

Track 10 – Freedom

The drums at the intro of this song is everything. You know it’s going to be a banger once you hear the intro. Having Kendrick Lamar on this song was a wise thought.

Best lines:

I’ma keep running

Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves

"Redemption"

I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.

Track 11 – All Night

The opening verse of this song tells it all. What the song is about – Forgiveness. This is the highlight of the album, a beautiful climax and end of a love story which had gone through doubt, pain, war and now forgiveness.

Opening verse –

Found the truth beneath your lies

And true love never has to hide

I’ll trade your broken wings for mine

I’ve seen your scars and kissed your crime

Someone tweeted - when you start listening to lemonade and by Don’t hurt yourself you’ve already gone crazy and torn up all your hubby’s things only to reach All Night and realize the album was actually about forgiveness.

Best lines:

Nothing real can be threatened

True love breathes salvation back into me

With every tear came redemption

And my torturer became a remedy

…

How I missed you, my love

Track 12 – Formation

A great trap song in its own right with hit beats and catch phrases. But then this is one song I’ll say doesn’t fit into the album.  The album would have ended at All night, that’s when the love story ended.

The visuals of the song is pure art. Each scene was very impressive and that lil guy bursting those hot dance moves that finally got the police men to surrender.

Best lines:

You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation

Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper