Waterbender

She does look younger somehow, and so does Jay Z. Whatever they're doing is working

Noooo she had signed vinyl at a record store near me and I missed out! I am gutted.

Confirmed that the listening party is at the same time as the gig tonight. So weird to have it clashing, especially when other markets have it next week.

Still annoyed about Welcome To Hollywood. The second verse sounds like a demo with the background vocals excluded, and her bridge was the highlight of the song for me.

Are we sure she's performing tonight? It seems that the listening party is happening at the same time and it's been quite hush hush which makes me think that winners had to sign an NDA.

Yeah no one can excuse paying $1k for an empty box lol.

I'm aware of the original Jay version, but I still don't understand why she felt the need to create a combined version. Her version was far superior, even Jay would agree haha. Fair enough on Check On It, I had no idea!

This release isn't as lazy or rushed as some of you thought now is it? It's obvious that Beyoncé put a lot of time and effort in remastering the album, and it sounds so much better. We've gotten updated production, re-recorded vocals on some songs, physicals, surprise features and we're getting 4K upscales of the video anthology too. This is more effort than most artists put on a new project, let alone a 20 year-old album. While this re-release is a triumph and a great way to celebrate this masterpiece, I do have some thoughts/questions Why does the press release openly state that Morning Dew and My First Time are from different eras, but doesn't justify why they're included in this release? They transition well with each other but some context would've been great. I love Morning Dew, but I'm not sure how I feel about My First Time and Can I Watch on first listen. My First Time feels a bit immature thematically for the album, and Can I Watch has too much Pharrell on it for me and sounds very new production-wise. Maybe they'll grow on me. Does anyone know why Check On It and Welcome To Hollywood were changed? Welcome To Hollywood was especially jarring, and I much prefer her original version. Considering that the DSP release is longer than the physicals, I really wish she included If and World Wide Woman for completeness. It's feels SO GOOD having Lost Yo Mind, Creole and Back Up on streaming, and it's obvious that they've been re-recorded. Lost Yo Mind sounds the best out of the three, while Creole and Back Up sound a bit more timid compared to their shoutier original versions. Maluma and Selena were very surprising features and I like both remixes. I agree with others that it would've been nice to have Bad Bunny on a track as well though. Cuerpo (Tumbao) is a massive bop and should've been pushed as the next single for playlist support over Can I Watch You, especially when it's the only song to get a lyric video. It's got the potential to be massive.

An expanded digital release with everything included would be amazing but I don't know why people expect that haha

Crazy that she wiped her website

Is the UK listening party tomorrow happening the same time as the Jay Z concert?

Yeah this could go one of two ways. Either it's a remaster which will be released at the same time globally, or it won't be on streaming at all.

People are apparently receiving emails about the listening parties today. I don't have one yet but a) I hope I do and b) I'm still confused about the UK one clashing with Jay's gig.

Morning Dew should be the best performing due to the existing virality, remixes and airplay. Can I Watch You is probably going to get playlisted as a new single on New Music Friday playlists as it's the only new track from the album, unless one of the three bonus tracks (Creole, Lost Yo Mind, Back Up) can be considered new and get the spotlight. From the existing tracks, I can see Irreplaceable, Beautiful Liar, Deja Vu, Freakum Dress, and Get Me Bodied doing the best. The first three perform well on streaming as is, Freakum Dress is a fan favourite that has been teased on tour and that vinyl pressing video, and Get Me Bodied will have three versions on the re-release which will boost its streaming when combined.

I'd rather have the CCT film than RWT in the cinemas. RWT should've been on streaming with a live album years ago. Returning to the cinemas won't be necessarily enjoyable, I'd just feel bad that I won't be able to watch it again.

Weird that Pop radios have yet to pick up the song considering it's Top 30 on overall radio.

Any idea what the parties are going to be like?

I don't expect her to show up, but it'll still be inconvenient for fans to attend both the listening party and the concert if they're at the same time. It is weird how the London one is the only one not on the 8th but her actual birthday though.

It better be an early afternoon or late night club event, most fans (including her) will be at the concert lol

Can I Watch You gives ballad vibes

That makes sense, hope all those things happen!

Maybe, but the combination of releasing an album and then touring must've been a too tiring for her. She already toured twice in three years, three tours within five would've been a bit much (unless we didn't get a tour for act iii, which I doubt anyone would want to happen). I also think that act iii needed the most time considering that the initial insider knowledge only spoke about dance and country. Between the first two acts, her brands launches, and her family, I think she's been at full capacity. I don't mind waiting another year if it means that the output is going to be better. B'Day 20 is a welcome surprise and much preferable to her sitting out for another year with no music, so I'm personally excited.

Do we think the airplay growth is aligning well for a Hot 100 Top 10 peak for the song on album release? I wish streaming improved a bit, hopefully as the album momentum grows.

She is charging below market pricing for a 4LP 180g boxset. Even the 2LP 180g is more affordable than what other artists are charging.

Well that seems to be the source of your frustration then. Looking at the industry from a wider lens will definitely give you a greater perspective and realise that she's actually charging the same or even less for her physicals and tours than other artists in today's climate. I really hope that the economy recalibrates at some point because people (including me) are often being priced out of items and experiences, but I can't blame one artist for it.