"Ain't Your Mama" Music Video Review

Time for another installment of Vinny Views!

This week I'm reviewing my queen's new music video "Ain't Your Mama".

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Beyoncé Album Ranking

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The first episode that was posted last week is all about ranking Beyoncé's albums.

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Hello to 25 (Ranking the songs of 25)

19 was her introduction, 21 was her breakthrough, and 25 is her validation that she is one of the most honest and breathtaking artists of our time. ADELE has a voice that can make anyone cry and lyrics that can make anyone feel. 25 may not be as emotionally vulnerable as 21 was, but collectively it is her most mature and cohesive. Here's my ranking of her songs from the deluxe edition.

14.) “Lay Me Down”

Pretty generic production from Mark Ronson and some very by-the-book lyrics, but still very pretty.

(The words don’t come out right when you’re right in front of me.) 7/10

13.) “Why Do You Love Me”

A very sweet love song with a very cute beat.

(There must be something in the water ‘cause baby I’m in deeper than I knew.) 7/10

12.) “Can’t Let Go”

A sad, romantic gesture yearning for a love she can’t let go. A beautiful contribution from Linda Perry.

(I gave you heaven on a platter baby.) 8/10

11.) “Love In The Dark”

Another dramatic song with a beautiful string arrangement.

(Maybe we’re already defeated.) 8/10

10.) “Remedy”

Once more, another piano ballad. At times it seems like it’s just another safe song, but when you listen to the lyrics and hear her riffs, it’s very delightful.

(No river is too wide or too deep for me to swim to you.) 8/10

9.) “I Miss You”

A very epic production from Paul Epworth that could fit very easily on 21, but it manages to stand on it’s own on this album.

(I miss you when the lights go out, it illuminates all of my doubts.) 8/10

8.) “Sweetest Devotion”

It’s hard not to smile when listening to this song. It’s a beautiful recollection of the love she has found with her son and boyfriend. It’s truly remarkable to hear the happiness and joy in her voice here.

(You will only be eternally the one that I belong to.) 8/10

7.) “River Lea”

With some stellar production from Danger Mouse, this song transports me to George Michael in the late 80’s/early 90’s (sounds a bit like “Freedom”). It’s very soulful and hip.

(Sometimes I feel lonely in the arms of your touch.) 9/10

6.) “Hello”

The simplicity in her voice right from the beginning makes this a real gem. It had been a while since we’d heard that voice, and to hear that simple “hello” made all of our hearts jump with anticipation for what’s to come.

(It’s no secret that the both of us are running out of time.) 9/10

5.) “Water Under The Bridge”

It’s a standout of the album that doesn’t stick to just piano and strings but something very upbeat and different. It’s refreshing and new all at once.

(If you’re gonna let me down, let me down gently.) 9/10

4.) “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”

Leave it to the hit-maker producer Max Martin to bring out this pop gem from ADELE. It’s catchy and outstanding. It’s classic ADELE sass at it’s finest.

(We’ve gotta let go of all of our ghosts.) 9/10

3.) “Million Years Ago”

Everyone has had those moments when they are reminded of their childhood, thinking of what used to be and being reminded of where you are now in life. It’s scary how fast time flies, but this song is a beautiful reminder that captures all of those feelings perfectly. It’s hauntingly accurate.

(I know I’m not the only one who regrets the things they’ve done.) 10/10

2.) “All I Ask”

So many songs and artists come to mind when I hear this song. It’s “When I Was Your Man, Part 2”, “Someone Like You, the Sequel”, a long-lost Lionel Richie ballad, or an homage to Mariah Carey’s vocals in “Without You”. No matter where the influence comes from, what matters is that this song exists. It’s raw and beautiful from start to finish. And let us not forget that breathtaking key change and all of her heavenly riffs.

(Give me a memory I can use.) 10/10

1.) “When We Were Young”

Everyone can find themselves in ADELE’s lyrics or can relate to something she has to offer. For me, I can’t help but think about my grandparents. My grandpa recently passed away this October and I was told about how this song could easily translate to how my grandma felt. It’s a retrospect song, a time of reminiscing about the past, a moment of realization that the person you loved with all your heart has gone. Whether that be a break up or a passing away, it’s heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time.

(We were sad of getting old, it made us restless.) 10/10

An ode to BEYONCÉ: the album that changed our lives...

2013 was the year of Beyoncé teasing. She announced that a new album would be released soon but no one knew when, she performed the Super Bowl Halftime Show (and by performed, I mean SLAYED), "Grown Woman" was released in a new Pepsi commercial, "Standing on the Sun" was released in a new H&M commercial, she started a world tour, and then a song titled "Bow Down/I Been On" was leaked, giving us all hope that a new album would be released soon.
 

It's an event that stops the entire world whenever Beyoncé releases a new album. But still even though she had clearly let us know a new album would be coming, as we approached the end of the year, there was still no album.
 

Then one morning as I woke up at 2:30am to get ready for work, I was woken up by several text messages from dear friends of mine and my lovely sister, informing me that in the few hours I slept, Queen Bey herself released an entire album complete with a music video for every song! How in the world was this even possible?!!! In this day and age where everything seems to be getting leaked online before its official release date, how did she manage this? I mean a song or two perhaps, an album would be pushing it, but this woman did all PLUS 17 brand new music videos! It was the perfect early Christmas present to the world. And after a year of letting it all marinate and sink in (not to mention ANOTHER world tour with her husband, the incident in an elevator, and the gem that is "7/11") it's time to revisit her best work to date with an updated track by track review! You're welcome.

"Pretty Hurts" (9/10)

This beautiful woman opens up her fifth album with a song all about image and the cost of beauty. It's a different way to open up an album, more poignant and personal and eye-opening than she usually is (although she came pretty close with "If I Were a Boy" and "1+1"). Co-written with Sia and produced by Boots, it's an eye-opening piece of music that really teaches us all what true beauty is. We don't all have to try so hard. The music video is without a doubt one of the most beautifully shot videos in this collection, great art direction and cinematography. And let us not forget what a beast Queen Bey is in those shorts and that top, pageant queen and all breaking every trophy and award in her room!

"Ghost/Haunted" (8/10)

The “Ghost” portion of track #2 at first I thought was one of the weak spots in the album. The weird chanting, the repetitiveness, it all just seemed misplaced. (But after listening for a year, it's definitely grown on me). And then we got to the good stuff with “Haunted”, a haunting (ironic) tune filled with sex and sex. It's no wonder it's now being used to promote the new Fifty Shades of Grey movie. On the music video side, “Ghost” is beautiful (obviously) with a lot of pretty sheets floating around. It's “Haunted” that takes the cake though with its gothic themes, that famous pixie cut, and all that freakiness. It's a whole different side to Beyoncé that seems to get stronger and stronger from here on out.

"Drunk in Love" (featuring Jay-Z) (10/10)

A collaboration with her husband on her own album had been missing from I Am…Sasha Fierce and 4, so it was a pleasant (albeit not a very surprising) surprise to see Jay-Z pop up. But I didn't think it would be what everyone would talk about! It has a clearly distinctive sound, different than most singles of hers. And although it's not as upbeat as something like “Crazy in Love”, “Dejá Vū” or “Run the World (Girls)”, it's the undeniable chemistry between the two AND all of those lyrics that got stuck in our brains that made this a true gem. Surfboard? Watermelon? Clint Eastwood? Whoaaaa baby? Genius! From that little opening warrior call to the thumping bass, it glides so nicely from beginning to end. The video may be awfully simplistic, but it catches them in a beautifully  natural environment where nothing needs to be forced. It's effortless, it's two people in love, dancing and singing in a beach. It's just that those two people happen to be the King and Queen of America.

"Blow" (8/10)

Pharrell was in his producing prime last year, so it's no surprise that he contributed to her blockbuster album. While it's an upbeat, light-hearted addition to the album, it was never one of my personal favorites. My favorite part though is hearing the moment when it switches from Pharrell’s production to Timbaland’s (turn that cherry out) and just how in sync they are with each other. The video is fun and retro and very very blue, and did I mention fun?!

"No Angel" (9/10)

This was the song I would constantly skip over every time I listened to the whole album. I didn't think there was anything special about it, I thought it slowed down the whole pace of the album. But then after a couple of months of not listening to it, it popped up out of nowhere and I was entranced by its beat, her whispering highs, the pure grit of it all. The video is a nice homage to her hometown and I love the contrast of the dirty south and her in all her splendor, but it's nothing compared to the perfection of the song itself.

"Yoncé/Partition" (10/10)

We had Beyoncé, we had Queen Bey, we had Sasha Fierce, and thanks to this gem we now have Mrs. Carter and Yoncé, the names that just roll off the tongue like liquor. It has that signature Bey swag and bump that makes songs like “Get Me Bodied” or “Countdown” some of the best in her collection. And when we think it can't get any better, in comes that booming DROP, dum dum dum duh dum. Timbaland is in his prime, lyrics co-written by Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé herself, it's a very revealing and overly sexual song, something a lot of us aren't really used to hearing from her before. She's being more open, letting us into a part of her personal life that she's never shared before…and it's amazing! They get freaky, and we likey. And the video perfectly compliments it's music, a sexual fantasy of pleasing her man, all the things he dreams of happening start to happen just for him. The mirrors, the dancing, that rubber pole thing she moves around with, it has so much goodness happening all around.

"Jealous" (9/10)

It’s the halfway point, and you're starting to think that it can't get any better than this. The first part is always so much stronger than the last. This woman has nothing left to give. So then she leaves us with this song, the most vulnerable piece of work she's ever given us. Most of the time she likes to write about a woman scorned, why it's always the man’s fault. It seems demeaning, but it gives us catchy moments like “Irreplaceable” and “Single Ladies”. But here she takes the fault herself, she opens up herself in yet another way giving us more depth, more vulnerability, a heartbreaking recollection of what she's done wrong. And it's placement of following “Partition” is amazing. It's a great contrast and a great part 2 where the music videos are concerned. What happens if he DOESN’T like all that she's done, if he doesn't appreciate her for what she's giving him, maybe something else is happening. It's beautifully tragic.

"Rocket" (9/10)

“Let me sit this assssss on ya…” What a way to open up a song! It's a fantastic dream team behind this 6-minute song: Timbaland, Miguel, Justin Timberlake, and Beyoncé herself. Another sexual piece of music that goes on and on (in a great way of course). A nice gentle song you never want to end, it's complimented yet again by a simplistic but beautifully shot music video, all about Mrs. Carter, and a lot of bath water. Rock. Hard. Rock. Steady.

"Mine" (featuring Drake) (10/10)

The intro of this track is another part of Beyoncé that we've never heard before. It's her most vulnerable moment yet, questioning her marriage, her baby, her life. It's an epic song with a thumping infectious beat, a great collaboration with Drake and his producing partner Noah “40” Shebib. The ending kind of dies out in a weird way, but everything before that is delightful. The video is the next most beautiful piece of work after “Pretty Hurts”. The dancers in masks, those opening shots, the fire. It's all breathtaking.

"XO" (9/10)

It’s a special song for her fans, and it's got a very infectious rhythm throughout. Her voice is somewhat quieter and deeper. In reading about the song, it was discovered that she had a cold when she recorded it as a demo. When she decided to keep it for the album, she liked the way it sounded originally and decided to not re-record it. There's a little crack in her voice when she sings the first “baby love me lights out” before the first chorus. The fact alone that she kept in her flaw for this version (and ended up choosing this as her first official single) makes this a spectacular selection. Otherwise I feel like it would be a so-so song on this album. The video is nothing too spectacular. Although what I would give to be at Coney Island and have Yoncé herself taking over to film. Yes please!

"Flawless" (featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) (10/10)

The first half of this song before Ms. Adichie’s mesmerizing speech was released earlier in the year along with “I Been On”, but it was titled as “Bow Down”. To hear it continue on as “Flawless” takes me into another dimension. We've never heard Beyoncé get so angry and passionate when it comes to how she's represented. She goes all out on this song, she goes hard with such grit and power in her voice. We've always assumed that Beyoncé was a self-proclaimed feminist, but it's in this song that she officially declares it as her title. The video is equally satisfying with its jarring mosh pits, hand choreography, and that flannel shirt and jean shorts. And as usual, it gave us one more thing to adapt into our everyday language… “I woke up like this.”

"Superpower" (featuring Frank Ocean) (9/10)

As we approach the end of the album, we get to the more somber section, beginning with this haunting production from Pharrell. It's an eerie track that plays all the way through with its voice box background and all. It's an empowering song for us all, to make us all feel like we have superpowers inside. We can conquer anything if we set our mind to do it. It's passionate, it's inspiring, and her voice is so beautiful when it's low. She never has to try so hard to get her point across. The video was pleasing in and of itself for the Destiny’s Child reunion that took place. And what direction it must have been to just take a parking garage and tear it apart like that!

"Heaven" (9/10)

Now comes a beautifully sad moment when Beyoncé remembers a friend gone too soon. It's bittersweet but absolutely beautiful to hear it sung that “heaven couldn't wait for you”. It's a yet another haunting melody on the album, but one that really resonates again and again. The video is once again a beautifully shot one at that, reminiscing about a friend that's passed on. The images of Beyoncé in church have some of the most breathtaking light I've ever seen.

"Blue" (featuring Blue Ivy) (10/10)

And at last we have the most precious moment of the entire album: an ode to a child. Her child of course. It's a beautiful and upbeat song with quite a fun energy. It has a nice lightness to it but it's so epic and beautifully written about and for her daughter Blue Ivy and all the joys or being a mother. The music video is just as sweet and equally full of love with its beautiful backdrop of Beyoncé traveling the world. It's a sweet way to close the album. And because of her credited as a featured guest, it now means we can call her Grammy-nominated Blue Ivy. Amazing.

"Grown Woman" (9/10)

The bonus video on the album finally gives us a full taste of the song that had been teasing us all year. "Grown Woman" was first released in a short form for her career retrospective Pepsi commercial earlier in the year. We all had assumed that it was the first official single, but of course she kept it all to herself. Then she surprised us all when she performed it during the end of her European leg of the Mrs. Carter World Tour. It's an infectious beat thanks to super producer Timbaland. It has a great island feel and the video perfectly compliments the sound. It's fun, vibrant, and colorful. Not to mention it's great seeing videos of her as a youngin' singing her own new song! Trippy, but in the best way!

What I Learned From the Super Bowl THIS Year! (2014)

What? Where's the queen?!!!

Oh wait, there's the queen! Nice to hear some classy singing tonight, ladies.

I can always look forward to another Super Bowl Beckham commercial, but this time he did more than just stand there! #progress

Sometimes subtle can be beautiful and breathtaking.

Bruno Mars is no Beyonce, but at least he was way better than the Black Eyed Peas.

I'm Sarah Maclachlan...

You know how Black Friday shopping has slowly creeped into thanksgiving night? That's how I feel about all of the Super Bowl commercials premiering BEFORE the Super Bowl is even on!

I feel so bad for Peyton. Not because his team got their asses handed to them, but because of his forehead.

Aaaaand this is the part where I once again declare that I still have no interest in who is playing or the actual game itself. The truth hurts sometimes...

Push This Album Girl!!! (The 20/20 Experience Album Review)

Welcome back to my album reviews because its been a while!!! And welcome back to Justin Timberlake!!!! Enjoy my track-by-track review of Justin's new album The 20/20 Experience!

 
"Pusher Love Girl"

Opening with a beautiful strong arrangement sets up a grand entrance for someone we've been waiting a long time to hear from. With drug references aside (which most times are very clever) this song is nostalgia at best, bringing a classic funk element that transitions into yet another sick hip-hop breakdown by Timbaland in the middle.
"I'm just a ju-ju-ju-ju-junkie for your love..." 10/10
 
"Suit & Tie" (featuring Jay-Z)

On this first single, Justin pulls out all the stops to bring not just sexy back, but style and class as well. From the chopped & screwed style intro, to the lovely chiming in the background, and my oh my that classic falsetto, JT knows how to get the party started!
"Let me show you a few things..." 8/10
 
"Don't Hold The Wall"

Easily one of my favorites that the album has to offer, the real winner hear though is more so super producer Timbaland than it is JT. Timbaland has been in the dark for a little bit. The singles he's come out with haven't really made as big of a splash that "SexyBack", "Promiscuous", or "Get Ur Freak On" did back in the day. But this song is where he gets back into that classic Timbo groove, giving us a good 3 1/2 minute sexy attitude before going into a sped up break for the remainder of the song when it's back to the days of "Give It To Me", "Release", and "Carry Out".
"Take it to right, start in the back..." 9/10
 
"Strawberry Bubblegum"

This is a sweet song filled with a lot of smooth-talking and cool rhythms. What's amazing is how it starts out as a groovy tune that segues into a Robin Thicke/Remy Shand breakdown for its interlude. And does anyone else here a similarity between how he says "pop" at the end of this song and how he says it in *NSYNC's "Pop" song? Just me? Alright!
"I'll be your blueberry lollipop..." 8/10
 
"Tunnel Vision"

Another personal favorite, it's got all the classic Timbaland elements from the drum rhythm, the little voice repeating in the background, and Timbaland's "uh-huh" after every other word or so from Justin. The string arrangement reminds me of "LoveStoned" a little bit and this has an awesome Hip-Hop/R&B ride that is reminiscent of "My Love". I love that it builds to the beatbox bridge and that very smooth outro.
"I know you like..." 10/10
 
"Spaceship Coupe"

A galactic sex trip that has JT playing with a little Usher element, this jam is a real bump & grind piece. It fits right along with songs like Ciara's "Promise" or Robin Thicke's "Sex Therapy" with it's high pitched "ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo"s and sexy bump. I also love that it sounds like the baby from Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody" is all grown up and still crying in the background for this one!
"We'll make love on the moon..." 9/10
 
"That Girl"

With a pretty awesome skit to introduce the song, we then get a sweet horn section and a bass-line that could go for days! It's a Timbaland slow song mixed with a little doo-wop, a little R&B, and a little Maxwell vocal. Justin really knows how to pull out all the stops when it comes to slow songs, and this one is no exception. He really does a great job mixing old-school flavor and modern-day grooves together.
"I don't care what people say 'cause I'm in love with that girl..." 9/10
 
"Let the Groove Get In"

Justin said himself that the inspiration for this song was imagining the Jackson 5 going to Brazil, and now that's all I can think about whenever I listen to this song. It's a funky, upbeat song where Justin makes it pretty easy to get us shaking. Again, he knows how to get a party started and this song wastes no time. And for a solid 7 minutes, the party never stops or slows down in the least bit.
"Are you comfortable right there, right there?" 10/10
 
"Mirrors"

I have to confess that I appreciated this song at first, but I wasn't crazy about it. It's sweet, obviously inspired by his new wife Jessica Biel, but the whole thing just sounded way too safe and familiar. That was until this week when the video premiered and I was blown away. The video changed the song in a lot of ways for me, but for one thing it's a beautiful depiction of true love inspired by Justin's own grandparents. Going through years and years together and then losing the one you love is hard, but what makes the whole thing so beautiful is seeing that even after death, the old woman in the video never lost sight of their past and always had him with her. I'm already holding back tears just thinking about!
"You are, you are the love of my life..." 8/10
 
"Blue Ocean Floor"

Poetic, beautiful, and so relaxing to listen to, Justin sounds pitch perfect from those low bass notes all the way up to that high falsetto. This sounds like such a trip, very galactic and slow, but so mellow and beautiful all the same.
"Under the water you scream so loud, but the silence surrounds you..." 10/10
 

 
"Dress On"

The first of the bonus tracks, it's short and sweet, but it has a nice riding beat with his sexy swagger and all.
"I can't wait 'cause girl as soon as I look at your face, I see a world where our heart never breaks..." 7/10
 
"Body Count"

It's a funky song that sounds a little like "Like I Love You" Part 2, but produced by Timbaland instead of The Neptunes. It's funky and filled with swag. Definitely another party starter, but this time filled with a lot more cockiness and confidence to last for days!
"Sign up, put your name down..." 8/10
 
ALL IN ALL
Justin is back sexier, mature, and more loving than ever. Bringing back the golden production quality we know Timbaland is capable of, it's a fine mix of slow songs, upbeat party jams, bump-and-grind, funk, and swagger all mixed into one. In a time now when everyone is so concerned with the success of just one single, it's nice to hear along with albums like ADELE's 21, Beyoncé's 4, or Mumford & Sons' Babel that some artists haven't forgotten about creating MUSIC for a full-length album beginning to end. I'm interested to hear the other half of this 20/20 experience supposedly due in November, but for now I'll be just fine listening to this whole thing on repeat all day errrday!
 

 
REPEAT-WORTHY
"Pusher Love Girl"
"Tunnel Vision"
"Let the Groove Get In"
"Blue Ocean Floor"
 
SKIP-WORTHY
If I had to choose one: "Dress On"
But honestly I love the entire album!