"Changed the game with that digital drop / Know where you was when that digital popped / I stopped the world," sings Beyonce in Nicki Minaj's "Feeling Myself." And yes, she did. First came "Formation," which Beyonce showcased at Super Bowl 50 (the single dropped one day before, but the world really got familiar after the half-time show) alongside… It doesn't matter (it was Coldplay and Bruno Mars if you're wondering). The unapologetic black-pride smash was followed by a one-hour HBO special in April, then, soon after, she unleashed Lemonade without warning. Upon release, the "visual album," with features from James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Jack White, and more, really fucked shit up. Not only is it a bold win from a marketing standpoint, the music—containing elements of pop, blues, reggae, rock, hip-hop/trap, soul, funk, country, gospel, electronic—touches on anger, heartbreak, reformation, redemption, hope, defiance & more, AKA themes that could strongly resonate with every living soul on earth. From accusing Hov of lying, cheating, and taking her for granted ("Pray You Catch Me," "Hold Up," "Don't Hurt Yourself," "Sorry," "Daddy Lessons" hmmmmm… the whole album, perhaps?) to embracing blackness to the fullest ("I live my negro nose with Jackon 5 nostrils, " "I like my baby's hair with baby hair and an Afro"), the 12-tracker, 6th from Queen Bey, might be one of the strongest in her phenomenal catalog. And really, is there a better way to enjoy such raw, complex, and unadulterated body of work than on 180g yellow color vinyl? Probably not, and this special pressing comes housed in a gatefold jacket with audio & Lemonade film download inserts. Recommended.

• yellow colored vinyl
• 180 gram pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• booklet insert
• music label: Parkwood Entertainment 2017

reviewed by marble cake floors 05/2017