Beyoncé has finally released her new album “Lemonade”, and as expected, it was a surprise release.
All through the weeks leading to this release, the singer has been teasing an HBO documentary, something that culminated into a visual album.
Unlike Beyoncé’s last album, her self-titled 2013 release, there was some expectation that the record would be released very soon, yet fans have still been losing it online.
Following the broadcast, both the album and the accompanying ‘visual companion’ were put on TIDAL and are expected to be exclusive to Jay Z’s streaming service for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of Jay-Z, fans are concerned over the pair’s marital status as the album features lyrics such as “Who the f*ck do you think I am / You ain’t married to no average b*tch, boy” and “This is your final warning / You know I give you life / If you try this shit again you gon’ lose your wife”, both from the track “Don’t Hurt Yourself”.
However, the rapper features in the video for the track ‘Redemption, with footage of their wedding flashing between shots of other lovers.
Also featured on the album are the likes of Jack White, The Weeknd, Diplo, Kendrick Lamar and James Blake, while Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Soulja Boy, and MNEK are samples on the record. The record marks a huge feature for Blake, who has previously been worked with the likes of Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Chance the Rapper – all of whom have been associated with Beyoncé previously.
Following on the theme of the previously released single “Formation”, many songs take on a political theme, particularly in “Resurrection” in which, at one point in the video, the parents of Trayvon Martin are seen holding up photos of their son.
Lemonade marks another high-profile TIDAL exclusive; both Rihanna’s ANTI and Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo were released exclusively onto the service.
Meanwhile, alongside millions of fans, countless stars took to social media when Beyonce, 34, dropped the LP immediately after the premiere of the accompanying album film on HBO on Saturday, April 23.
And quite predictably, the Internet has had a dramatic meltdown.
“@Beyonce i don’t understand. You are so beyond. #LEMONADE is a stunning work of art,@ Tituss Burgess posted on twitter.
“I really want Valerie Cherish to make a cameo in this,@ Billy Eichner posted.
Zendaya posted: “One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever had the honour of being a part of. Black Girl Magic,” while Anna Kendrick wrote: “I feel changed. How was that THAT good?? HOW???”
Uzo Aduba expressed it thus: “the art, the poetry, the images, the fashion, the message, the words, the music, the play, on play, on play of “Queens” I dug it #LEMONADE.”
Lemonade features 12 new songs including ‘Hold Up,’ ‘Sorry’ and “Sandcastles” as well as collaborations with The Weekend, Kendrick Lamar, James Blake and Jack White.
This is Beyonce’s sixth studio album. Her self-titled fifth album was quietly released just as the year 2013 was coming to a close.
Nigerian Pilot