So Beyonce surprised us all on December 13th with a new album and left the world squealing in their seat - well me anyway. This is the superstar's fifth album and although she dropped it with no warning, don't be fooled, this is no rushed effort. The release of this album and its visual/vocal components have be plannned for a while and the intricate thought process is certainly shown in the connected storytelling between each of the 17 videos Beyonce has made.
My favourite videos are Blow and Rocket, both completely contrasting visually. The video for Blow, also one of my favourite tracks on the album, is bright, colourful and retro like the song and the dance moves are sassy and slick. There's a cameo from Beyonce's sister Solange also, which seems appropriate as the song seems to have borrowed influences from Solange's musical style. Rocket is shot in black and white and is a sensually suggestive - but not explicit video which I appreciate. The song is sexual but the sexuality revealed in this video is not so obvious but creatively metaphorical.
Of course, Rocket was written by Miguel and Justin Timberlake, this is exactly the type of soulful slow tempo song you would find on their album. Justin actually wrote and produced a few tracks on the album from Blow to Partition with the help of his music partner Timbaland. Pharrell Williams also wrote/produced some tracks. There are a variety of sounds which you can hear within this album due to the collection of producers Beyonce has used, creating a new sound for Beyonce herself.
My favourite tracks from this album are Drunk In Love and Jealous. Drunk In Love is a mid tempo hard hitting club track showcasing Beyonce in all her thuggery while Jealous brings back the diva Beyonce we know and love. I like this sound, it still relates to Beyonce's last album 4 but also introduces a more Grown Woman feel, Beyonce hasn't let being a mother slow her down or tame her at all.
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