Album Review: "BEYONCÉ" by Beyoncé

Welcome back to CDS Music Chart Reviews! Today I am reviewing "BEYONCÉ" by Beyoncé. "BEYONCÉ" by Beyoncé (the singer's 5th studio set) was dropped unexpectedly last night (December 12th, 2013) on iTunes. There were no prior announcements, hints or leaks sprung preceding the album's official release. The release wasn't promoted with a release of a single and is one of the most secretive releases in quite a while.

The album is dubbed a 'visual album' and is considered one of a kind. It is the only album in history to have a music video shot and released for every single track all at the same time (her album "B'Day" also had all videos shot but they weren't released until a year after the album's release). The album is only available digitally to iTunes customers and is eing offered at a very reasonable $16. It contains 14 tracks plus the bonus videos for a total of 32 items. Collaborators include JAY Z, Frank Ocean, Sia, and Drake.

The song "Grown Woman" (which didn't make the final track list) appears as a bonus video. It peaked within the CDS Music Chart's Top 50 earlier this year. "Blow" peaked at #25 thus far while "Drunk In Love (feat. Jay Z)" peaked at #30.

Overall reviews for the album have been overwhelmingly positive thus far. In one day of release, it has averaged a 9/10 from over 18,000 US iTunes customers and received a 85/100 from worldwide critics on the media scoring website Metacritic. The album sold a massive 80,000+ copies in just 3 hours and hit 430,000 within the next 24 hours on iTunes alone. Initial predictions pegged it at 200,000 copies (for 3 days) but the latest prediction says it will pass 600,000 by Sunday night. Keep in mind, this '1st week' is only 3 days long and contains only sales from iTunes. A nationwide expansion is planned for either December 20th, or December 21st and the physical albums have already began printing. It has since reached the #1 position on iTunes in 101 countries.

Signs also indicate that a second part of the album will be released soon, as the promotional video describes the album as "Part 1: The Visual Album". Hopefully the second part sees the light of day soon...

1. "Pretty Hurts" Beyoncé Knowles, Sia Furler, Joshua Coleman
An elegant and slinky opening track that introduces the hip hop and experimental sounds that encompass the album's composition. It's soft and simple but it gets the job of introducing the album done right. Not quite a game changer, but more of a classic Queen B track.

2. "Ghost"/"Haunted" Beyoncé Knowles, Boots
This double feature is one of the album's longer tracks but could have easily been split into two tracks. The themes that the two songs display are nearly the same, but the styles are very different. On "Ghost" Beyoncé delivers a thick rap and a haunting chorus that mix better than one would think could be possible. On "Haunted" the intense party continues with a dark, thumping backbeat and eerie vocals. The experimental work displayed here is beyond entertaining, and is one of the album's most unique offerings. This double track is billed as "Haunted" on the album, though "Ghost" and "Haunted" have their own videos.

3. "Drunk In Love (feat. Jay Z)" Beyoncé Knowles, Noel Fisher, Shawn Carter, Andre Eric Proctor, Rasool Diaz, Brian Soko, Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon
Beyoncé proves that she can present multiple styles all at the same time with a darkened version of "Crazy In Love". She incorporates classic hip-hop elements, intense vocals, darkened sexual themes and of course a classic rap from her husband Jay Z. The pair yet again proves they can make a stellar collaboration and continue to wow the critics.

4. "Blow" Beyoncé Knowles, Pharrell Williams, James Fauntleroy, Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon, Justin Timberlake
The album's first official single is a stunning masterpiece full of old style, sexy themes and beats. It is a classic Queen B track and is extremely catchy. It also has some clear Justin Timberlake vibes throughout. A simplistic throwback single that appeals and delivers exactly as it should.

5. "No Angel" Beyoncé Knowles, Caroline Polachek, James Fauntleroy
Snappy. Breathy. Sexy. Beyoncé sings in a haunting whisper over a smooth and click-y jazz background. Steamy, out of the box and a clearly different path for the singer. A surpriser that is delicate and just plain amazing.

6. "'Yoncé"/"Partition" Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, Justin Timberlake, Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon, Dwane Weir II
Another two part track. This one is actually better though. "Yoncé" shows the singer snarling and rapping without explicit lyrics (though the themes are dirty). It is another unbelievable track, quickly morphing into a smooth chorus before phasing out into the second part, "Partition". "Partition" includes some french lines and speaks of the singer wanting to meet the girl her love likes. Lyrically different than "Yoncé" but yet again the themes work really well together and she was able to craft another strong double song that is a true highlight on the album.

7. "Jealous" Beyoncé Knowles, Noel Fisher, Andre Eric Proctor, Rasool Diaz, Brian Soko, Boots
The shortest track on the album (about 3 minutes). The chorus is entertaining but other than that it is a little bit flat. Seems like it belongs on another album of hers. Not up to the standards that are displayed on the other tracks included on the album.

8. "Rocket" Beyoncé Knowles, Miguel Jontel Pimentel, Justin Timberlake, Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon
A classic R&B jam with Destiny's Child and TLC influences. A soaring success that is completely expected, yet remains bouncy and fresh.

9. "Mine (feat. Drake)" Beyoncé Knowles, Noah Shebib, Aubrey Drake Graham, Jordan Kenneth, Cooke Ullman, Sidney “Omen” Brown
The filtered verse from Drake is a fresh twist. A trap like, hip-hop and soulful production that is gnarly while remaining calm and smooth. A true standout on the disc that isn't your typical love song.

10. "XO" Beyoncé Knowles, Ryan Tedder, Terius Nash
A true Ryan Tedder track. His influences are written all over this pop ballad. It seems like a reasonable choice for a single and seems to be a summer's end anthem. It has the most Top 40 appeal of the entire album. The music video was shot at Coney Island in New York in August 2013.

11. "***Flawless (feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)"  Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, Chauncey Hollis, Rey Reel
Previously known as "Bow Down/ I Been On", this spooky hip-hop production is extremely experimental. There are some clear Rihanna influences heard on the track. It is kind on a 'flawless' mess. There is an added part of a speech that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie presented about her thoughts on feminism. A mash up of works that don't fit together but are linked in a very strange way. A haunting effort.

12. "Superpower (feat. Frank Ocean)" Beyoncé Knowles, Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams
A little bit of a waste. It seems a bit forced and like it could have been produced better. I expected a little more from Frank Ocean. Not terrible, but not her best attempt.

13. "Heaven" Beyoncé Knowles, Boots
Extremely touching. It seems like a more stripped version of her excellent song "Halo". Beautiful, powerful and EXTREMELY unexpected. Perfection.

14. "Blue (feat. Blue Ivy)" Beyoncé Knowles, Boots
A stroll on the beach with Blue. Even more personal than "Heaven" (if that is even possible). A perfect closer that makes you want to just cry and listen to the record from the start and all the way back to the end. It has a bouncy Hawaiian/Tropical background feel. A round of applause. Blue Ivy will defiantly follow in her mom's footsteps.

15. "Grown Woman"
Among the best tracks on the album. Unfortunately it technically isn't included on the CD version. It doesn't fit the album but shows us the more pop side of Beyoncé (previously seen on her 2nd and 3rd albums). It makes sense as to why it isn't officially included, and serves as an excellent bonus track that everyone will eat up. It is easily one of Beyoncé's most unique songs and is also one of her overall best. A triumph, and the perfect way to close an era that was so desperately longed for.

Overall Thoughts and Stats
Strong Songs: "XO", "Grown Woman", "Blow", "Mine (feat. Drake)", "Pretty Hurts" and "Partition"
Weak Songs: "Superpower (feat. Frank Ocean)", "Jealous", and "Haunted"
Thoughts: Strong collaborations (for the most part), interesting videos, quality R&B and Hip-Hop offerings, continued inclusion of pop style songs, impressively entertaining, 'visual', experimental and fresh.

Rating: 9/10 (A-)

I was wow'd! I heavily disliked her 4th album ("4") but this is a MAJOR improvement. Extremely captivating and just out of the box. One of the best releases in 2013 and one of Beyoncé's most creative offerings. I really want to see more of this continued change as well as some pop songs included in her previous albums. Bowing down.