Beyoncé as constantly stood as a pop musician who wishes to connect with others and use her platform as a means to inspire listeners to reach their heights. Her newest visual album Lemonade is no exception but is most interesting for its execution, as it is an album about being cheated on, as every major media and even news outlet has headlined at this point.
Through using this story of being a strong woman who has been cheated on, the question of whether or not Beyoncé was misses the point of the album; the deeper sense is to convey the struggle women everywhere, especially black women in America, and in that show a path that many have to face. Beyoncé didn’t make a statement about being cheated on, rather Lemonade is a testament to women to find their inner strength and rise above things that otherwise are toxic to their well-being.
Similar to what 2013’s Beyoncé was, Lemonade is striking for its visual extension just as much as its music. Because the first way the album was shared was through HBO, it makes its case it is meant to be watched before listened to. The extended video uses all the songs, but cuts some of the songs up and doesn’t play their entire length. These bits are sandwiched between longer periods of Beyoncé reading poetry by Warsan Shire. This project is astounding, drenched with New Orleans as an ever-changing backdrop, going from the bright scenes of neighborhoods to darker forests and plantations.
What is most interesting comparing the album to the film is the features on the album are all men whereas the video has a number of cameos by famous black women. The absence of men in the video helps develop the sense of womanhood and power to females, with the only time men making an appearance are in the video for “6 Inch” and “Sandcastles” where Beyoncé and Jay-Z seem in be a place of reconcile.
As for the album, it is different than other Beyoncé albums for its subtler approach, as most tracks develop a wide open sound that isn’t full of pop production. While still crisp, it is fine tuned and allows Beyoncé’s voice to show the full range she can accomplish. “6 Inch” is a darker track with a feature by The Weeknd, wherein distortion on her voice as she reaches the lower octaves make a growl turn into a guitar riff. “Freedom”, featuring Kendrick Lamar, shows the opposite end of her voice as she stands as a one-woman gospel choir.
Taken as a whole, Lemonade is a very interesting album for its amount of changes in style over the course of its 12 tracks. The most interesting song easily being “Daddy Lessons” for the wonder of where it even came from. Opening with a jaunty brass band, it quickly transitions to a country blues track, something I never would have expected to hear on a Beyoncé album. “Don’t Hurt Yourself” also is a standout track for its sheer violence, with Beyoncé hurling expletives at what many assume to be Jay-Z. Being produced by Jack White, this is the sort of collaboration a music nerd like me can only dream of, and it is assuredly executed with precision.
Lemonade is the sort of album meant to be played in full. Every track is a standout, with no lulls in the story. Being a visual album, it is meant to be watched then heard. The film for Lemonade is incredible, helping the sequence of the tracklist to make even more sense. Queen Bey has delivered once again.
9/10
Anthony Campbell // A&E Editor
