Album Review: Beyoncé - 4

Beyoncé is put to the fore with her newest offering 4.  WIth the high bench mark that was set by her previous record I Am... Sasha Fierce, 4 has a very large shoes to fill.

I listened to the album but not continuously and eventually stopped. The carrier single Run The World (Girls) was not too persuasive and I pre-judged it for being just another artist album. It was only after a month of its release that my friend asked me if I know that Love On Top song. With my response as no, it bothered me a little and at the same time sparked a reborn interest on the album.

With my mission to discover the hidden gems of the album, I realised that I have missed to see the bigger picture -- 4 is a collection of tracks that were almost stripped off their rhythmic and melodic coating and Bee's vocals are put to the fore. Her vocal prowess in all of the tracks are just impeccable, something that she gave us a taste of with the disc 2 of I Am... Sasha Fierce; now with this album she came in full blast like a comet ready to impact the surface!

Songs like 1+1, Rather Die Young, the seemingly Irreplaceable re-hash Best Thing I Never Had and Love On Top all have successfully showcased Beyonce's ability to hit notes and be called as one of this generations note worthy artists.While the playful song Party remained to be one of my favourites in the collection both vocally and melodically. On the other hand, songs like Countdown and End Of Time will just make you shake ya booty the Bee way.

The album, at first, may sound too familiar and repetitive but it does bring in a value - a contribution of an artist to the industry that she is in.; the throw back's in the past, the overall sound engineering of the album, and vocal style all make this album a standout amongst the Euro-dance sounding American artists out there trying to be relevant. 

Track list:

01. 1+1

02. I Care

03. I Miss You

04. The Best Thing I Never Had

05. Party

06. Rather Die Young

07. Start Over

08. Love On Top

09. Countdown

10. End Of Time

11. I Was Here

12 Run The World (Girls)

Deluxe edition:

01. Lay Up Under Me
02. Schoolin' Life
03.Dance For You



What do you think?