Arts & Entertainment

Beyonce’s surprise

Diva’s new ‘video album’ a risky game changer

Published

11 years ago

December 22, 2013

Santiago Melli-Huber

Minimalist cover art of Beyonce’s new album. (Image courtesy Parkwood/Columbia)

To the surprise of her fans, Beyoncé Knowles released her fifth studio album on iTunes on Dec. 13 with no promotion. An intimate and powerful artistic step, the self-titled album “Beyoncé” could easily be a musical standard bearer for years to come.

The “video album,” as Knowles refers to it, contains 14 tracks and 17 music videos and was recorded mostly in secret. In July, Diplo revealed to the UK’s The Sun that he worked on two songs with Knowles that were ultimately scrapped, but details on the full album remained a mystery.

Fueled by the excitement of a surprise release, “Beyoncé” sold about 828,000 copies in just three days, breaking an iTunes record for most albums sold in the first week, previously held by Taylor Swift’s “Red.” The three-day sales figure also doubled the first week sales of her previous album “4” (2011).

Often deep and sometimes dark, “Beyoncé” is an exploration into life with her husband Jay-Z and their daughter. It’s also rife with feminist themes, not unusual for Knowles.

The album opens with “Pretty Hurts,” which addresses the physical and emotional trauma women endure while trying to adhere to impossible standards of beauty. While it may seem like Beyoncé is revisiting “girl power” themes from earlier hits like “Single Ladies” and “Run the World (Girls),” “Pretty Hurts” aims to inspire rather than excite young women by stressing the importance of happiness over beauty.

“***Flawless,” a Southern hip-hop track, samples a TEDxEuston speech by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The accompanying speech adds significance to Bey’s authoritative line “Bow down, bitches,” an assertion of her power as an independent woman, with a comment on the double standards women face.

The lead single “XO” is an uptempo pop tune and has all of the makings of a radio hit. Conversely, “Haunted” is not poised to enjoy the same success. It’s one of the more experimental songs and criticizes the record industry, but the vocals in the hook are ethereal. The accompanying video is artistic and creepy, complementing the song well.

A potential crossover hit is “Drunk In Love,” a duet with her husband Jay-Z. The song is one of several on the album depicting the sexual relationship music’s biggest power couple enjoys. Between her singing and his rapping, the song has potential for both the Top 40 and R&B charts.

“Blow” immediately follows the duet and is equally explicit. A mod- and funk-inspired dance track, it’s quickly and justifiably become a fan favorite. It’s fun, catchy and the bridge turns the song from a ‘70s throwback to a modern pop hit. The music video is a must see for, if no other reason, the impressively well-coordinated glow-in-the-dark dance sequence.

“Partition” is a tough hip-hop track that contains the hilariously sexual line “He Monica Lewinsky-ed all on my gown.” The song stays true to the album’s themes and includes a section in French defending female sexuality. It also seems to introduce a new alter-ego named Yoncé, a tougher figure to replace Sasha Fierce, a personality Beyoncé “killed” years ago.

In “Mine,” which features Drake, Beyoncé opens up about her postpartum depression and marital issues. Beyoncé and Drake’s vocals complement each other well in a back-and-forth that melds together in the hook.

The last two tracks are the most emotional. “Heaven” is a haunting and somber ballad about the death of a loved one. The song alludes to the miscarriage Beyoncé suffered during her first pregnancy, detailed in her HBO documentary “Life Is But a Dream” and referenced in the Jay-Z song “Glory.”

If “Heaven” tore listeners down, the final track, “Blue,” will bring on tears of joy. The song is an ode to her daughter Blue Ivy, and the vocal performance is incredible by even Bey’s standards. The song itself is an intimate expression of love, capturing a moment of pure joy Beyoncé experiences as she holds her daughter.

Overall, the album is deep, powerful, and a defining moment in Beyoncé’s career in the same way “Ray of Light” was for Madonna. Without sacrificing her mass appeal or playful rhythms, Beyoncé has created a mature, innovative opus. She ranges from light and bubbly to deep and soulful, and no moment feels out of place.

Up Next

Social conservatives defend ‘Duck Dynasty’

Don't Miss

Calendar: Dec. 20

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].