Ok, so I’ve been hearing a LOT from people who don’t like/feature/get/care for/etc. the new Beyoncé album. Well let me just say that I am QUITE impressed by this effort! Not only does it contain melodies, hooks, and interesting beats, but it also went straight from the speakers and lodged itself in my brain after just 2 listens. Now I understand some of these chord structures (“Rather Die Young,” “Party”) might be a little hard on the ears of those used to the simplistic monotone of today’s pop refrains. I also understand that one key-change might take a modern listener by surprise, but Beyoncé, FOUR, in one song (“Love On Top”)…now you’ve just taken things too far, TOO far! Maybe Princess Beyoncé is just growing up and letting us glimpse into her 80′s childhood (“I Care”), or maybe she finally has the power as the most successful artist of her generation to squash the “how will we market this” question with a simple “I am Beyoncé and I am the Queen!”
i totally agree. it takes a listening ear not to dismiss it as a Jennifer Hudson album. “I Care” is a uniquely arranged ballad. i hope she drops it. “Countdown” is banger too.