- written by GAGAforMUSIC
After a long period of waiting, King B release the upbeat girls-empowering track that is Run The World (Girls). It was supposedly to introduce B new sound that is more concentrate on the Production and vocals. However the track wasn't perceive well by the public peaking only at no. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, which makes it her lowest first single in her solo career. But after the album leaked, I managed to give the song a few more plays which unexpectedly make me 'like' the song. This song like any other song in the album is a GROWER. That's the point I'm trying to say. Many gave up after listening to the album the first time and saying it's "boring". But after listening to it a few more time you might end up in a music store and buying the album (like me) because it is actually really good.
The album starts with 1 + 1, which she performed beautifully on Idol. The song is an odd choice for it to be the opener of the album but what it really did was introduced to the listeners to the new Beyonce sound. Like I said before Vocals + Production. The album then continues with three ballads, I Care, I Miss You and Best Thing I Never Had. All great tracks but Best Thing I Never Had is of course the highlight. Chosen as the second single, BTINH is a track that many said to be Irreplaceable 2.0. The song is about a breakup that suits both parties. It's also about how B is trying to reason herself of why the breakup happen to avoid a heartbreak. The song goes around midtempo pop and R&B ballad with some influences of gospel music. A very good choice for a second single and probably would give her at least another top 10.
The album suddenly changes gear to the Kanye West's co-produced track, Party which is not to say a dance or neither a ballad as the song just continues in a slow flow "Oh Na Na, What's My Name" kinda feel. The song even include the saxs which is a continuos trend in today's pop music. Then the album slides into Rather Die Young, a mystical "I would do anything for you" song, Start Over, a post-breakup "give me a chance" song and Love On Top, the 80's "my boyfriend love me" track. It seems, this three tracks were arranged together in the track list for a purpose. Then there's this....
My baby is a 10
We dressing to the 9
He pick me up in 8
Make me feel so lucky 7
He kiss me in his 6
We be making love in 5
Still the one I go to 4
I'm trying to make us 3
From that 2
He still the 1
The "hipster" song said B herself. It's fun, danceable and keep a good balance to the album. Keeping with her vow, she promises to love her hubbie till the "End Of Time", which is a possible third single. The beautifully written, I Was Here that is about B wanted to leave a mark in the sand of time. which is actually my goal for life and now I finally have a song to that goal. Then lastly the album finishes to like I said before, the not-so-bad, Run The World (Girls).
Overall the album consist of just straight-forward lyrics with heavy produce ballads that is sung with one of the best vocals of the year. And I applaud her for making a quality album rather than a top 40 album like Katy Perry which somehow I didn't play it that much.
Based on Critics - 39/50
Based on Public - 50/50
Based on Hype - 41/50
Based on Pop Flares - 45/50
Overall:
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