4 is an impressive step forward in almost every direction for Beyoncé, a pop musician who's already conquered the world twice over at the ripe old age of 29. But what's most endearing about 4 isn't necessarily it's quality, but how mature it comes across to the listener. This isn't just a cheap jab at a pop single (the lead single, in fact, is the album's last song) but rather an emotional left-hook lenient on flashiness and upfront with passion. Most notable is the albums production, which takes a backseat to Beyoncé's powerful vocals. Her belting cries of "Let's start over" transform a bland pop tune in "Start Over" to a fearsome track that bleeds tenacity; likewise, the majority of this album follows suit, differing the expected 21st century pop status and rather appearing as a late-night karaoke session that's both keen on it's r&b roots while simultaneously expanding to show 80's funk and neo-soul flairs.
When the album does get showy it never strays far enough to become self-indulgent. The one anomaly is the Major Lazer-sampled "Run the World (Girls)", the album's sole party-banger that seems remarkably out-of-place in the span of things. This is not to say that a pounding bass-drum or overall showiness is a bad thing -- Because let's be honest here, "Crazy In Love" might be one of the best songs of the past generation, and that song wasn't shy about itself -- but instead a noticeable deviation from the experimental formula that works so well with this release. 4 does have misses, including the lazy "I Miss You" and the over-cliched power-ballad "I Was Here"; but mishaps aside, 4 shows a different side to Beyoncé, one that will hopefully continue highlighting her own strengths rather than overshadowing them with studio production.
3.5/5
Recommended Songs: "I Care", "1+1", "Party", "End of Time"
