Review Summary: The Life Of Mary
I would like to be the lucky person who can listen to
Lemonade without knowing who Beyoncé is. He/she would have an interesting, almost pure perception of this production. But we cannot. We cannot ignore Beyoncé is the pop superstar, one of the most important figures in mainstream music since quite a few years now. We are familiar with her music, her associations with other artists and producers, and we know she is coming from her most critically acclaimed work with her self-titled album. One would think she does not have anything to prove, but... there could be something left to pursue: a masterwork. Something that would cement her status beyond the superstar status to the level of creative force status. In sum, to reach the level of a true
artist.
Now, how do you achieve something like that? By making something difficult, hard to grasp on the first, two or fifth listens; bring in many renowned collaborators and producers, throw in a lot of samples, -- well-known or obscure -- have non-linear song structures, unusual vocalizations, some odd arrangements here and there, some cutting-edge production...are now we are getting closer. On paper it sounds interesting, the very first few listens
are interesting, but we cannot help to think there is a lack of substance, that there is also a lack of true vision. Maybe she has spent too much time hanging out with Kanye West (or listening to his music), and it occurred to her that...maybe... she could attempt something similar. The supersong written by six or seven people and producer by four different people, herself included, the introspective themes, the dramatic performance, the theatrical sound.
Lemonade is certainly ambitious, and I commend her for trying something like this; she
should try it, she is not condemned to her pop/RnB corner, as successful as it may be. But, despite having some great moments in here,
Lemonade simply does not work. It just tries too hard, it feels contrived, it seems staged. Musically unimpressive, mildly soulful, sometimes an album needs something more than just being different.
