Beyoncé has left the building

Beyoncé’s newest album, “4,” at first seems like a miss.

It sounds nothing like her usual “Single Ladies,”or “Crazy in Love” Top-40 bait.
The lead single, “Run the World (Girls),” which recycles a Major Lazer beat, has clichéd girl-power lyrics as unoriginal as its title. Yet, with a closer look and repeated listens, it certainly grows.

Beyoncé claims this is her best work yet. While that may be an exaggeration, it’s still a worthy and multifaceted fourth album, highlighting her growth as an artist.
Here, she doesn’t need to rely solely on heavy or complex beats. Instead, her voice does all the work, and she’s never sounded better.

Those missing Sasha Fierce need not be disappointed, though. The uptempo songs on the album have strong, thumping, militant backbeats, harking back to the sounds of Destiny’s Child.

“Countdown” is sure to be the most popular single because it has the most potential for bumpage during pre-party primping and driving around with windows down. And when it comes down to it, that’s what Beyoncé’s best for.

For the more adventurous listeners, check out “I Care” and “I Miss You,” the two Prince-like midtempo tracks backed by simple 808s and synths.

These are undoubtedly the most original and best tracks on the album. Beyoncé’s voice is mesmerizing on them, intermittently soaring and cracking with emotion.

Overall, Beyoncé’s ballads are fluffy fillers, but the album is pleasantly surprising as a whole; most importantly, B always brings the pulsing sass
to her music.

By Kelly Fritz
kelfritz@indiana.edu