NPR..MSN UK & Rolling Stones Name
Beyonce's4
one of their Favorite Albums of 2011
NPR:
Beyoncé has given us many important questions to ponder. Just how does her
hair stay consistently windblown? What is "swagu," and can I have some? And
of exactly what relation is your "boof"? All of which is to say, no pop album this
year was more fun and self-aware than hers. Sure, 4 has moments of schmaltz
and overblown theatricality, but it's hard to turn a cynical eye to a record that
contains, unequivocally, the song of the year. "Countdown" commands sing-
alongs — preferably with the wrong words; "grind a'pony girl"? — and fevered
discussions with theory nerds over its irregular song structure. A record made
up of amazing singles, 4 leaps beyond the restraints of its Top 40 cultural
signifier to cultural significance, as Beyoncé celebrates her lasting, loving
relationship with her man, as well as her fluidity as an artist who refuses to be
thrust into any single box. The year belongs to her. (Eleanor Kagan)
MSN UK:
We weren't sure about this the first time we heard it but now it's definitely one
of our favourites of the year. With a more grown up sound than we're use to,
Beyoncé stayed away from the safe, familiar sounds a lot of mainstream artists
are choosing at the moment, went wild with Diplo for Run the World and
stamped her empowering style all over it. With ballads pulled from the core of
her heart, faster tracks to evoke the good times, and some perfectly judged mid-
tempo tunes, this is a wonderful coming-of-age record from mum-to-be B.
Rolling Stone:
"The world's shrewdest diva turns on her star power full blast, indulges her
oddball side and flaunts her mastery of seemingly every modern pop mode –
from the riotous hiphop love ode "Countdown" to the sweet, faux-Stevie
retrosoul ditty "Love on Top" to the futuristic stomper "Run the World (Girls)"
