Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Beyonce's last album was widely heralded as a triumph by all. It found her diving into house music and working with scene stalwarts like Luke Solomon and Honey Dijon. It won a Grammy for its efforts. Now, even though plenty of the originals were ready to work a club dancefloor, we get treated to some remixes. They all focus on the standout single 'Break My Soul' and we get funky and soulful stuff from Terry Hunter, broken beat from Will I Am, house thumps from Honey Dijon, and filter-heavy stuff from The Queens. Add in the Nita Aviance club mix and the original version and you have a useful package indeed.

Review: 'My House' was a parting gift from Queen Bey herself following her record-setting 'Renaissance' album cycle, the first in a trilogy she continued with 2024s 'Cowboy Carter'. Landing multiple awards and ten top spots on various 'Best of 2022' lists, the track is a big, brassy, chant-led track featuring the same hallmarks that peppered her 'Homecoming' history-making Coachella performance. Serving as promotion and as the credits sequence, for her theatrical concert film 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce'. The track is anthemic and uplifting, a combination of braggadocious flexing and preaching the power of love and healing - it's an infectious hit. On the B-side of this release is an extended intro edit of Beyonce's legendary chart-topping hit 'Single Ladies', celebrating its 16th birthday this year.

Review: Beyonce's Cowboy Carter is a bold and poignant exploration of American roots music, marking a departure from her previous works while asserting her dominance across genres. Inspired by her 2016 experience at the Country Music Association Awards, where she faced criticism and racism despite her Texas roots, Beyonce delves into Louisiana Cajun country, the rivers of Alabama, and the streets of Memphis, reimagining Americana, folk, and country in her own image. The album serves as a powerful statement on the erasure of Black contributions to country music and American culture, with Beyonce reclaiming her rightful place in the genre's history. Through collaborations with legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, as well as emerging Black country and rock musicians, Beyonce highlights the enduring legacy of Black artists in shaping these musical forms. Cowboy Carter is both a sonic journey and a cultural commentary, blending elements of folk, country and rock with Beyonce's signature style and vocal range. From the haunting cover of the Beatles' 'Blackbird' to the electrifying trap beats of 'Ya Ya,' the album showcases Beyonce's versatility and musical dexterity. No doubt, 2024 will be another strong year of Beyonce led by this album.

Review: Beyonce continues to redefine genres with her latest album, Cowboy Carter. Building on the momentum of her previous releases, she fearlessly ventures into country music territory, infusing it with her signature style and social commentary. The album's opener, 'Ameriican Requiem,' starts strong with its pointed lyrics and references to country music controversies. Throughout the album, Beyonce showcases her vocal strength and versatility, seamlessly blending elements of country, rock, and trap. Tracks like 'II Most Wanted' featuring Miley Cyrus and 'Tyrant' offer dynamic collaborations and infectious beats. Cowboy Carter is a fantastic romp through various styles of pop music. Beyonce's bold approach reaffirms her status as a trailblazing artist, delivering yet another classic album. With its depth, diversity, and undeniable artistry, Cowboy Carter will be an enduring impact on popular culture.

Review: Beyonce joins Drake in the house-via-Baltimore club 'renaissance', which has seen to a good deal of major hip-hop & R&B artists working in the styles over the course of entire albums and mixtapes. This being the queen of pop's first album in over six years, some naysayers say songs like 'Break My Soul' (filled with 90s organ and downtempo kicks and snares a-la Robin S) and 'Energy' (packed with batida stylings) are paint-by-numbers, but we beg to differ; for Beyonce, it's a polyglot of reinventory music.

Review: Beyonce's Cowboy Carter marks a departure from her typical genre-hopping approach, focusing specifically on country music while still infusing it with her signature style. Through tracks like 'Blackbiird,' Beyonce pays homage to the past while celebrating the contributions of Black artists to the genre, shedding light on trailblazers like Linda Martell. Despite its country focus, Beyonce's hip-hop and pop sensibilities shine through, resulting in a sprawling and ambitious album that explores themes of authenticity, roots, and legacy. Tracks like 'Just for Fun' and '16 Carriages' showcase Beyonce's storytelling and a glimpse into her interiority and the complexities of pop stardom. Cowboy Carter seamlessly blends traditional country sounds with contemporary elements, creating a unique sonic experience that transcends boundaries.

Review: Beyonce has nerve shied away from being bold. Her Cowboy Carter album is a testament to that because who saw her fusing country and r&b? The unique album undoubtedly showcased her unparalleled versatility as it explored themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery against a backdrop of twangy guitars, soulful melodies, and powerful storytelling. Each track highlights Bey's vocal prowess and ability to transcend genres and styles from heartfelt ballads to upbeat anthems. The production blends organic and contemporary elements to make for a soundscape that's both nostalgic and innovative.

Review: In what must be one of THE record releases of the year, Queen Bey is back with her majestic new album. As has been hotly discussed online, this album finds her embracing club music in no uncertain terms, with collaborators like Honey Dijon and Green Velvet lending their expert house touch to the fiercest force pop music has ever witnessed. The results are earth-shattering, as if we expected any less, and the due diligence on acknowledging the roots of house music culture is delivered with sincerity and authority. Make no mistake people, this is the real deal.