WORDS BY DEIRDRE MCGINN

Who needs couples counselling when you can make a fire album? Or three? To be fair, very few people could put their pride aside in the name of art, but Beyoncé and Jay Z happen to be among those very few people. One look at the beauty and boldness of this album, and your faith in America’s royal family will be restored. The album cover is phenomenal and captures the whole vibe of the album: contemplative and chill.

It’s the kind of cover that captures a moment.

But enough with the album cover, let’s get into the music. The album as a whole is rich in meaning but still easy listening. It’s a difficult balance, but then again this is Beyoncé and Jay Z we’re talking about. If they can roast the hell out of each other and STILL come together afterwards, then they can do anything.

The album is musically and lyrically cohesive. The verses flow naturally between both of them and there’s never a sense that one is overpowering the other (although I’m not going to lie, Beyoncé still stands out for me but that’s just because her voice has the power to actually save your soul).

So, here’s a track by track breakdown:

SUMMER
It literally sounds like summer. It’s a song for unwinding. I can imagine myself listening to this song while playing pool in some Malibu villa after a day at the beach with translucent curtains billowing in the background.

APESHIT
You can’t help but go at least somewhat apesh*t when listening to this. This is one of those world-tour songs, and by that I mean the kind of song you would listen to when pretending to perform to a huge stadium. And if that’s something you’ve never done before then please… give it a go when you listen to this. The music video was also worthy enough in the ‘high art’ world to shut down the Louvre — and if you’ve ever stood in front of the Mona Lisa with a thousand other tourists trying to look at the miniscule painting behind bullet proof glass, then you’re aware how difficult this must’ve been to execute. Unless, you’re Beyonce (and to a lesser extent, Jay-Z).

BOSS
Potentially the new girl anthem? Honestly, just listen to this song the next time you’re getting ready for a night out. It’s an experience. It’s empowering. Repeat after Beyoncé: I’m a boss.

NICE
Definitely the kind of song you would listen to while driving down the freeway by yourself. I don’t know how to drive yet (please don’t judge me), but I would honestly learn to drive just to experience this for real. Also, there’s the added bonus of Beyonce teaching you how to say “f*ck you” properly. And a parody of Britney Spears’ most memed moment (other than her meltdown of course).

713
Anyone who says the Kardashians are America’s royal family needs to listen to 713. It will restore your faith in the Carters. I mean technically this whole album does that, but this song is especially powerful in reminding you of why the Carters rule. All hail the Carters.

FRIENDS
Such a classic chill song. Like not the kind of chill for when you’re trying to nap. It’s the kind of chill where you’re just laying in your room and not really doing anything. Or maybe it’s because that’s what I was doing when I listened to this…

HEARD ABOUT US
Is it cocky if it’s true? That’s the main question to take away from ‘Heard About Us’. Also, please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks that the synth used in the opening sounds like ‘Gossip’ by Tame Impala.

BLACK EFFECT
I have a soft spot for songs that have spoken dialogue from a powerful sounding woman. Think of the dialogue in ‘Flawless’; that’s what ‘Black Effect’ opens with. It’s probably one of the album’s more political songs and it’s in the same kind of vein as ’99 Problems’ by Jay Z (now there’s a throwback).

LOVEHAPPY
Honestly, such a perfect ending. ‘LoveHappy’ sounds like closure. It’s the closure they needed. It’s the closure we needed. And the opening kind of sounds like a rap battle, so what more could you want?

EVERYTHING IS LOVE Review

WORDS BY DEIRDRE MCGINN