alien superstore

wdym now what...

Good on Pitchfork for calling out the ridiculous capitalist ploy that was the merch package

One thing she could also lean on are stunts. She still has a few feasible collaborations under her belt that - if she chose to make them - would be instant culture shifters and chart smashes. Beyonce x Ariana Beyonce x Adele Beyonce x Rihanna Telephone Part II etc

I think it's been a genius way to keep her relevant for another decade, and make her work feel essential to the general music landscape. I think her logical next step is a back-to-basics RnB album, featuring collaborations with her husband, kids and Destiny's Child, but a project like that would risk putting her squarely in the I Look To You (whitney), Caution (mimi), Golden (kylie) chapter of her career (a.k.a 50 year old beloved legacy act). There's a chance it could be her Mayhem (a.k.a her back to basics return-to-form?) but I'm not sure what that would even sound or look like beyond a return to nostalgic collaborations that fundamentally cement her in a mode of 'looking backwards' that might not feel essential to a new generation. She and Jay will also likely release another The Carters project to try and redeem their EiL era, but as capitalism continues to cripple the masses I think they'll have to radically change up their whole Mr and Mrs Moneybags deal and just focus on making bops. And judging by the way Jay got on the sultry, smooth Donk remix to moan about Twitter I just don't think he has it in him anymore. So yeah, I think its kinda brilliant that this trilogy is lasting so long, because it's really elongating her career, but I'm also confused as to what she could do next that would keep her fresh and relevant. More likely, she takes a step back in her 50s and comes back in her 60s a la Cher, Madonna to have a few final victory laps? It's weird to think about it, but we just haven't really had a major pop star continue to dominate critically and commercially in their 50s without something slipping (either the commercial interest lacks like J-Lo or the critical establishment mocks them like Madonna). Maybe, just maybe, we'll get a RENAISSANCE II someday.

some people here think Start Over is a forgotten masterpiece... Loooove everything you've said here. And yes, I don't consider 4 a flop era, and I don't consider CC a flop era, but I do think both could be acknowledged as in-some-way-lesser

But I agree withe spirit of what you're saying @Cbreezy - if there was any indication that Bey isn't above losing her cool in the sight of underperformance, it was the instagram spamming during OTRII and the subsequent ABC special she made for the Gift (which still made no noise but whatever, she tried)

I The hint of another 4? Yes, Texas was a huge hit, but Cowboy Carter was a 4-scale project for her tbh. The streaming-era opening weekend boost that sent Jolene and II Most Wanted up the charts was a lovely surprise, but to be frank the GP are cooler on CC as an album than they ever were on 4, which had multiple modest hits with BTINH, LOT, 1+1 and RTW, as well as impactful live performances like Glasto and the VMAs. Cowboy Carter had the NFL Halftime which was enjoyable but not culture shifting, a tour that was great fun but not cited in the same league as RWT or FWT, and a selection of album tracks that struggled to take hold (save for the intro of Tyrant which went viral in spite of the full track).

Best Thing I Never Had was a smash here in the UK, as was Ego. Real ones get it. Rule Brittannia!

I do think it's interesting that they wanted to affirm that Bey is a visual artist and pioneer. I definitely think we'll get something visuals-wise for the trilogy when all's said and done.

My money's on March tho

Also, I'm not expecting anything, but I dont think this BDay re-issue indicates we're 'not getting Act III anytime soon' - I do think it'll be December earliest, but she did release CC like 8 weeks after the RWT film, so she's not a stranger to back-to-backs

It seems fairly clear to me that Act III will be a blend of Rock, Funk and R&B Bey has had Wetter Cuff It, Plastic, Desert Eagle and 2H2H on acts i and ii - there'll defo be an R&B jam on act iii

Come to think of it, did Resentment ever get a video?

This is so cool to see visualised. Are you able to upload a lossless remaster from this re-release for comparison?

Lemonade, The Gift and Homecoming were all all-caps, too.

CIWY has been put on NMF UK at number 5

Welcome back diva!

I wanna agree with you but I can't imagine they've made seventeen versions of Morning Dew just to not perform it Tbh given its her birthday I could see her doing three or four songs Morning Dew -> Welcome to Hollywood -> Upgrade U -> Deja Vu

The Donk Mix eats

Listen is so iconic ugh. Who was it that was saying Listen hasn't been properly remastered/is still super lossy? I don't hear that at all?

The scratching at the beginning of Resentment feels way less like fake vinyl crackles and way more like the sound of pen on paper, making it feel more diaristic rather than faux-vintage. Love that change.

the way we're listening in sync lmao - I liked it!!! Beautiful Liar sounds fab to me tho. The remastered strings and percussion are so gorge

Irreplaceable sounds so warm and cozy in Lossless damn

If even the deluxe vinyl was included I might understand more but the fact not a single vinyl is a part of the package is CRAZY. £948 for unvarnished timber and a pleather strap!?!??

ORIGINAL MIX OF CHECK ON IT FEATURED ON BDAY 20TH EDITION