Beyoncé has been “Dangerously in Love,” “Crazy in Love,” “Drunk in Love,” and according to the first few songs on her sixth LP “Lemonade,” it seems she’s been a fool in love. If her previous album “BEYONCE” was all about being in love, “Lemonade” is certainly about the fight to stay in love. It’s debatable whether or not the album is an extension of the elevator incident that took place in May of 2014. Are the songs really revealing a marriage crisis? And is it a coincidence that Jay-Z went missing from this album? Is she telling her mother Tina’s story? Or is this just a good marketing plan? Regardless the truth, it’s all about the music.
It’s safe to say that Beyoncé stepped into new musical territories, but she’s well aware of her audience and perfectly provides them with the right essentials. On “Sorry” she reminds her lover just how much she ain’t studying him. It’s the typical breakup anthem we’d expect from Bey, along with “6 Inch.” “6 Inch” mirrors the life one would live after they’ve gotten tired of the “Freakum Dress” phase of life. With all of its sonic awesomeness compliments of the Isaac Hayes and Burt Bacharach sample of “Walk On By,” with lyrics by The Dream. It’s another anthem that appeals to the everyday hard-working woman, girl in the streets or the girl who swings from a pole. “She loves the grind/ she grinds from Monday to Friday/ works Friday to Sunday.”
The project properly represents the lemonade analogy of taking something sour and making the best out of what you’ve been given. “Lemonade” is dark, angry, yet liberating and contains colorful moments as you hear on “Daddy Lessons” her country ode to her father and hometown Texas. You can hear the album doesn’t have a particular genre. On “Don’t Hurt Yourself” Jack White serves up a few guitar licks and contributes to the chorus as Beyoncé spazzes on her cheating lover. “Who the f**k do you think I is?/ you ain’t married to no average b!tch boy.” “Lemonade” readies the return of producer Just Blaze with his contribution “Freedom,” which is assisted by Kendrick Lamar. While the wounded vocals on “Sandcastles,” which is pretty much the only album ballad and “Love Drought” help piece together more of the story. By the albums closing redemption track “All Night” you get the point “he ain’t always right, but he’s just right for me,” and that her tasty glass of lemonade will keep bringing you & him both back for more.