Everything you need to know about Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s surprise new album ‘Everything is Love’
The internet has lost its damn mind
There’s absolutely no disputing it: Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the untouchable Queen and King of music. No-one else even comes close.
And over the weekend they just released their first-ever joint album, called Everything Is Love.
Here’s everything you need to know about the album…
When was it released?
The couple are currently on their On The Run II tour, and they announced the album during their show at the London Stadium on Saturday (June 16).
“Because we love you all so much we have something special for you,” Beyoncé said.
Where can I listen to it?
The album is exclusively available on Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal.
What’s the tracklisting?
1. Summer
According to Vulture, Jay-Z and Beyoncé share writing and production credits on pretty much every single on the album. Summer was co-produced by Cool & Dre - aka Miami production duo Marcello “Cool” Antonio Valenzano and Andre “Dre” Christopher Lyon.
2. Apeshit
This track features Offset and Quavo from Migos as well as Pharrell, who also co-produced the song.
3. Boss
Ty Dollas $ign is a featured vocalist and co-writer on this track.
The song ends with a message from Blue Ivy to her younger siblings: “Shout out to Rumi and Sir, love, Blue.”
4. Nice
Pharrell makes another appearance on this track.
5. 713
Cool & Dre and 808-Ray share production credits.
6. Friends
As well as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Boi-1da and Jahaan Sweet co-produced the song.
7. Heard About Us
This track was produced by Boi-1da, Vinylz, Jahaan Sweet, !llmind, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
8. Black Effect
Cool & Dre and Beyoncé and Jay-Z produced this song.
9. Lovehappy
This song was co-written by Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney, and Nija Charles, who each have writing credits throughout the album.
Read more: Betrayal, sadness, and defiance: Why it’s time to reclaim Robyn’s ‘Dancing on My Own’
Is there a music video?
Funny you should ask because yes… yes there is.
Beyoncé posted the video ‘APES**T - THE CARTERS’ on YouTube and it’s already been viewed more than 10 million times.
The high-concept video shows the pair inside Paris’ Louvre art gallery, with a nod to their famous selfie in front of the Mona Lisa.
The video was directed by Ricky Saiz and was produced by Iconoclast. Belgian dancer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui choreographed it, along with JaQuel Knight and Chris Grant.
What’s it about?
After dealing with Jay-Z’s infidelity on Lemonade and 4:44, this album is being seen as a reconciliation of the pair’s marriage.
In the track Heart About Us, Jay denies fathering an illegitimate baby, rapping: “Billie Jean in his prime / For the thousandth time / The kid ain’t mine.”
In the track LoveHappy, Beyoncé sings about how they’ve moved on with their relationship: “You did some things to me / You do some things to me. But love is deeper than your pain and I believe you can change.”
Jay-Z also hits back at Donald Trump who attacked the rapper for supporting Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election: “Your president tweeting about Hov like he knows us / My road to the top was to take what you owe us / I give a fuck what that man find vulgar / Just look in my eyes when you toast us.”
Along with the symbolism of young black men taking a knee to protest police brutality in the Apeshit video, Jay-Z references the Colin Kaepernick-NFL controversy: “I said ‘no’ to the Superbowl, you need me, I don’t need you.”
What’s the reaction online?
Lots of people have been making the same joke about the album being released on Tidal…
Celebrities were weighing in as well…
And people were totally impressed with the visuals…
As well as cracking a few jokes…
What are the reviews like?
The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis gave the album three stars out of five, saying: “Calculating it may be, but it’s hard to think of anyone who’s turned prurient public interest in their personal lives to their advantage quite as adeptly as the Carters have.”
The New York Times’ Jon Pareles, making the album an NYT Critic’s Pick, said: “The strife, sorrow, fury, self-doubt and atonement are over; it’s time for a victory lap. That’s the basis of ‘Everything Is Love’ by the Carters.”
(Image: Beyoncé / Everything is Love / YouTube)
