On Saturday, April 23, 2016, Beyonce released her new album on Tidal and a one hour special of the visual album on premiered on HBO. This is the moment Beyonce stans have long waited for and it definitely broke the internet as the Bey Hive and onlookers exploded on Twitter and other forms of social media. Watching Lemonade was more than just a new album dropping – it was an emotional experience. Beyonce took the viewers on a spiritual journey. In addition to enjoying the new music and stunning visuals, it also put you through a cathartic exploration of your own relationships.
Your romantic relationship. At first glance, this visual album is simply about cheating, but of course it’s much deeper than that. Lemonade showcases the full spectrum of female experiences. Unfortunately, for many of us, dealing with cheating and infidelity is very relatable. Beyonce’s lyrics about dealing with challenges in relationships allow you to reflect on your own relationship and remember what you deserve. There are some things in a relationship that you can work through, but there are other times when you have to realize you deserve better and move on.
Related songs: Pray you catch me, Hold Up, Don’t Hurt Yourself, Love Drought, Sandcastles, All Night
Your familial relationships. The album talks about the mother-daughter relationship and discusses how strong women are. Beyonce may be referring to her relationship with her mother, her relationship with her daughter, and/or speaking in general. So many women watch their mothers deal with so much and still handle it all with strength and class. She also discusses the father-daughter relationship. Little girls tend to idolize their fathers and love them unconditionally, but as we get older we realize they are only human and make mistakes just like everyone else.
Related song: Daddy Lessons
Your friendships. This album also reminds us to to stand together as women. To love each other, support each other, and turn up together! The visual album is predominantly filled with women. It shows images of many different types of women. It also includes female celebrity cameos from Serena Williams, Zendaya, Amanda, and others. “Sorry” will be an anthem for women finally tired of dealing with f**kboys and just going out to have fun with their girlfriends.
Related song: Sorry
Your relationship with society. “Formation” was released a few weeks prior to the rest of “Lemonade” and came out the gate with an overwhelming response with reactions about race relations in America and police brutality due to the controversial video. In continuing with the theme of covering tough topics, the visual album honors Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner by showing their mothers holding pictures of them (also referencing the difficult challenges women go through like burying a child). The “All Night” video showcases the diversity in love with LGBTQ couples, interracial couples, poor couples, middle class couples, rich couples (Jay Z and Beyonce), older couples, and younger couples. Just by having representation for individuals who often don’t see themselves represented (outside of Shondaland) is a very powerful statement.
Related songs: Formation, All Night
Your relationship with yourself. The entire album is about self love and self exploration. There are moments to turn up and get hype and there are moments to mellow out and be reflective, but the common theme is self empowerment and self preservation. Use this album as the motivation you need to have your #YearofYes!
Related song: Freedom
Have you listened to/watched Lemonade yet? What do you think?
Here’s what you said on Twitter:
@ingridmusic: “Just watched #LEMONADE. No point in continuing to make music. Bye.”
@itsgabrielleu: “Thank you. I thought I needed a massage and a glass of wine but all I needed was some #LEMONADE YESSSSSSS @Beyonce”
@shondarhimes: “The bat is called hot sauce. THE BAT IS CALLED HOT SAUCE. #LEMONADE #slay”
@femme_esq: “I don’t see ‘accepting infidelity.’ I see processing multigenerational betrayal such that she and her man both emerge more human. #LEMONADE”
