American musician Beyoncé released her seventh studio album Renaissance in July 2022. A former member of the acclaimed 90s girl group Destiny's Child, Beyoncé is a chameleon of talents. In a nearly two-decade solo career, she has stayed true to her melodic roots while branching out in other musical avenues and playing an integral part in the album production process.
Similar to her contemporaries such as Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Beyoncé reinvents her sound and style with every album release. Metacritic, a site compiled of critics and reviewers, has rated Beyoncé's current album discography.
I Am... Sasha Fierce - 62
Named after her on-stage alter ego, I Am ... Sasha Fierce would be Beyoncé's first double album. I Am... marked the first collaboration between Beyoncé and renowned songwriter (and OneRepublic frontman) Ryan Tedder with the angelic power ballard "Halo."
Sasha Fierce presented "Sweet Dreams," a hypnotic trance wrapped in electropop and snare drums, but the disco bop jam "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" would be the album's signature song. However, I Am... Sasha Fierce receives a lower Metacritic ranking as the sound came across too repetitive for many critics, regardless of its dazzle.
Dangerously In Love - 63
The debut album is a large contributing factor to an artist's future success. Dangerously in Love was a grand slam for Beyoncé, showcasing her musical potential with songs of varying emotions and fused genres. The cover of Queen Bey in the diamond crop top absolutely pops, and what the album held was a rhythmic delight.
"Crazy in Love" is an anthem of romance blended with funk and pop, from the dynamic hook to Jay Z's slick raps. Dangerously in Love showed Beyoncé's potential as an independent artist, hitting the ground running to soar into the musical stratosphere.
B'Day - 70
Three years after Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé would release B-Day in 2006. The sophomore album continued with Beyoncé's urban/R&B sound one corporate in contemporary notes of hip-hop.
"Déjà-vu" is an uplifting dance track heavy in powerful instrumentals laced in funk and soul while "Ring The Alarm" is a heated R&B track providing a different sound to Beyoncé's previous work. The mid-tempo pop ballad "Irreplaceable" became the breakup song of a new generation. B'day's mashup of expressive ballads and danceable hits made it a remarkable compilation, with fans and critics impressed by Dangerously in Love's follow-up album.
4 - 73
Beyoncé's fourth studio album (the aptly titled 4) would see immense growth from the artist, focusing on themes of enlightenment and self-observation. The foundation of 4 would pave the way for more messages of resilience and emotional depth in her future albums.
"Run The World (Girls)" is one of Beyoncé's best music videos, with the dystopian setting being just as chaotically beautiful as the song itself. The 2011 single is an electropop meets R&B anthem of female empowerment. Such strong themes make 4 a standout album in Beyoncé's discography, continuing to prove the depths within her musical reach.
The Lion King: The Gift - 77
The Lion King would not be her only contribution to the 2019 remake of the 1994 classic. The Lion King: The Gift would be Beyoncé's hybrid soundtrack for both the Disney film and her 2020 musical film/visual album Black is King.
Black is King would release the Grammy award-winning "Brown Skin Girl" while The Lion King debuted the gospel ballad "Spirit." The futuristic/Afro-pop album is memorable for its mixture of philosophical words and cultural inclusions.
BEYONCÉ- 85
Beyoncé foraying into the visual album avenue proved to be a game changer for her, as seen with the eponymous 2013 album. Combining the electronic and soul genres, Beyoncé further progressed her song cycles of femininity, with the lyrical focus being on sex and love.
Co-written by Justin Timberlake, the incredibly seductive "Partition" has become one of Beyoncé's most-played songs. The 2014 single is steamy in its lyrics and sizzling in its music video, accompanied by a thumping baseline and heavy drums. BEYONCÉ is inspiring for the artist's female demographic in the way of self-confidence and body positivity.
Renaissance - 91
2022 would see the release of the visual album Renaissance, Lemonade's successor album. Renaissance explores several motifs in its music genres and lyrics, from Detroit techno to words of hedonism.
Having written and produced the album during the COVID-19 pandemic, Beyoncé drove the narrative of expression and escapism, to find light in the darkness of isolation. "Break My Soul," the album's dance-pop/house single, provides a vocal mashup of Diana Ross and Grace Jones. Renaissance further establishes Beyoncé's powerful grasp of blending intoxicating beats and profound words, which was a much-appreciated treat for the masses.
Lemonade - 92
In addition to being Beyoncé's most lionized album, Lemonade is one of the best visual album films. Beyoncé donning a fur coat and intricate braids on the cover is a portrait of ferocity. The concept album would be a cathartic case of art imitating life with several songs alluding to the fallout of husband Jay Z's infidelity.
Lemonade also spoke volumes in the way of several themes, including breaking racial barriers and the message of feminism. The album continues to solidify Beyoncé's talents for making her music both cathartic and universally effective in its delivery.
Homecoming: The Live Album- 95
Since the start of her solo career, Beyoncé has proven herself to be an innovative artist. This impression was further solidified with the release of Homecoming: The Live Album, which was followed by a Netflix concert film of the same title.
Homecoming chronicles Beyoncé's headlining act at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Both album and film capture the majestic wonder of her memorable performance, a compilation of greatest hits and single debuts that have earned a nearly perfect Metacritic score. Homecoming: The Live Album confirms Beyoncé is a supernova that will only continue to rise.
