Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Lemonade shows aggresive new side to Beyoncé

You might have heard of Beyoncé.
The famous artist released her sixth album Lemonade, on April 23. 
The album has seen nothing but good reviews from critics and music magazines, as pretty much anything by Beyoncé does.
The last album we saw from Beyoncé was her self-titled album Beyoncé, back in 2014.
She has released a number of singles since then, and we saw her take the stage at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.
You may remember how it generated a lot of controversy because of its supposed “anti-police” message and perceived allusions to black panther visuals and references.
Her latest album release was accompanied by a film coinciding with the album’s music.
While the film has been shown on HBO several times, Beyoncé is following in the footsteps of Kanye West and has made the album and film available exclusively through the music streaming service Tidal where it will probably stay for the foreseeable future.
Lemonade has revealed yet another side of Beyoncé’s persona.
Music that we have seen from Beyoncé in past albums and single releases has played it safe for the most part, appealing to anyone and everyone.
In her latest album she has ventured out from the safe zone and deliberately made her way into realm of throwing shade and making statements, both political and otherwise.
Most obviously, the whole album is littered with choruses and verses aimed at the topic of her husband Jay-Z’s infidelity.
You can hear her anger in Sorry, where she drops us with “ He better call Becky with the good hair” as well as in Don’t hurt Yourself’s ending lines “This is your final warning you know I give you life if you try this shit again you gon’ lose your wife.”
This aggression is present as well through the entirety of the song Hold Up.
Although Jay-Z catching heat is part of the album, it is just that, only a part.
On Lemonade, Beyoncé openly, aggressively and proudly speaks on her blackness and her pride in being a black woman.
This is arguably displayed most prominently on Formation, in which she makes numerous references to blackness and black culture.
Lyrically and thematically the album is fierce, aggressive, and moving, but musically it is just as interesting if not more so.
The album explores a manifold of genres; rock, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, just name a few.
Collaborating with a plethora of artists to from Jack White to The Weeknd gives Lemonade a wide-ranging and entertaining sound that constantly and consistently shakes things up and keeps you on your toes.
Although collaboration with various artists and writers on the album is part of what gives it its charm, it has also generated a lot of controversy in the music industry.
The album credits list a total of 72 writers, which has caused many to question how much Beyoncé personally contributes to her own music.
Despite these questions, and my never being one to take part in the Queen Bey hype before, what I’ve heard from Lemonade has made me more than convinced to join onto it now.

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Lemonade shows aggresive new side to Beyoncé