By now you would have heard of the talk this album has caused. It’s almost taken over the loss of Prince. In my eyes, this woman is a genius. Not just musically, but even if this album isn’t about her rumoured unfaithful and equally famous husband, Jay-Z, it’s got people talking and asking what does she have to say? Just remember, this album was released exclusively to Tidal. Who owns Tidal? Jay-Z *taps nose with index finger three times*. Music is a business too, people.
So, what about Beyoncé’s second visual album? Well, only Beyoncé can outdo Beyoncé, and outdo she did.

If you’re waiting for a typical Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B Beyoncé album, you’ll be disappointed. Forget, Single Ladies, Love on Top, or even XO. There are some real personal growth, raw emotion and hard hitting matters going on here. If you’ve followed and loved her so far, keep an open mind, because this is not what you’d expect from Bey. But then again, she is Beyoncé and she can and will do whatever she wants, and dominate it.

Pray You Catch Me chucks you right into the cheating rumours. It’s a relaxed and symphonic introduction to what is to come. Hold Up, though pretty kick-back itself, has a reggae tone to it, and really showcases Beyoncé’s lower vocal range.

I love Don’t Hurt Yourself. It may sound familiar to Zeppelin fans. It takes on the legendary band’s When the Levee Breaks and I’m not mad. A colleague of mine mentioned that Beyoncé is the first artist that Led Zeppelin has ever let use their songs. Something to look into. This track completely rocks out with Jack White (co-owner of Tidal). It’s one of the tracks on the album with some, now famous lyrics. This one says, ‘if you try this shit again, you gon’ lose your wife.’ But it’s Sorry that really has collars stretched. ‘Today I regret the night I put that ring on,’ and the most infamous of all, ‘he better call Becky with the good hair.’ Never in my generation have I heard lyrics cause so much talk. It’s here that anyone who has been cheated on will be yelling, ‘amen’ with those middle fingers up. This first half of the album is truly a girl-power statement. Other than that, I think hearing Beyoncé swear this much, including saying the N word, kind of throws me off. I do love how she laughs at herself in the video when she says the line, ‘suck on my balls.’

6 Inch is the sexy track featuring The Weeknd. It sounds like one for the new Fifty Shades soundtrack since these two appeared on the first soundtrack as well, but that’s only musically.

Daddy Lessons takes Beyoncé to her southern roots. Apparently this one has pissed off a few folk and country lovers, but I really enjoyed it and its message. It’s finger-clicking catchy.

Love Drought is a spacey R&B tune that slows the album down a little from its high so far. Though Sandcastles is the ballad of the album, I think it goes back up here. It’s a very emotional track. I love the moaning and desperation in her voice in this song. I think what this album does, is really showcase every range of her vocal ability. I mean, we know how talented she is, but it’s emphasised here more than ever.

Forward is a short interlude to the power songs to come. It’s mainly sung by James Blake, whose vocal style is perfect for this message and what Beyoncé is trying to do with this part of the album. The robotic ending turns into the storm that is Freedom. Oh buddy, what a tune. This is the 60’s/70’s style chain breaking and power-to-the-people song with potent lyrics, and there is no better rapper to include in a massive track like this, than the revolutionary Kendrick Lamar. It’s also the spoken bit in the end of the track which could explain the title of the album. I’ll leave that one a surprise for future listeners.

The final two tracks of the Lemonade phenomena basically sum up the two main themes of the album. All Night takes us back to the lying and the cheating, but this time with reconciliation and forgiveness. Happy ending for the Carters? Formation as we know is another song which expresses what is important to Beyoncé. Oh yes, Beyoncé, ‘best revenge is your paper.’ But I just want to mention how much I laugh every time I hear, ‘I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.’

The film itself is artistically great in every way possible. I think the art of movie making was more dominating than choreography this time around. It is a movie, and not just a one hour music clip. Furthermore, if you want a better sense as to what each song is about, the Lemonade film will tell you loud and clear.

It’s safe to say, this album has everything on it; from important messages, to a personal look at the Queen herself, to genre jumping at its finest. It’s not just the controversy it’s created that will sell this album. It’ll be Beyoncé’s ability to rule anything she touches (despite having to hire several writers and what not), and the fact that she can venture out to important topics and styles and do it justice. There are maybe two songs I’ll end up getting sick of sooner than the rest, but still doesn’t take away from how great this experience was.

You best believe Lemonade by Queen B is worth all your time and gets 4 out of 5 from me. Slay, B!