Beyoncé Releases Visual Album Black is King  and Fans, Critics are Obsessed: ‘A Cold Glass of Water After Weeks in the Desert’

Leia IdlibyJul 31st, 2020, 2:51 pm
 

Beyoncé released her much anticipated visual album Black is King on Disney+ Friday and has successfully blown the minds of music critics, fans, and other artists — who are all obsessed and seem to agree it “feels like a cold glass of water after weeks in the desert.”

Beyoncé dropped tidbits of the visual album prior to its debut — releasing the music video for “Already” hours before the entire album along with a trailer earlier this month.

The album is a reimagining of the soundtrack from Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King, which starred Beyoncé as Nala. The artist’s last solo visual album Lemonade, which was released in 2016 following President Donald Trump’s election, focused on the Black experience in America. Her latest album shifts the gaze on to Africa — making a larger statement about history and Black identity amid a time of cultural unrest in the U.S.

Beyoncé’s album comes as Black Lives Matter protests continue throughout the U.S. following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The singer took to Instagram last month to announce the upcoming album, calling it “a labor of love” and “her passion project.”

“The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant, as people across the world embark on a historic journey,” she wrote. “We are all in search of safety and light. Many of us want change. I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”

“With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy,” she added, also calling it a celebration of “the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry.”

Immediately after the album’s drop, fans, critics, and artists took to Twitter to share their excitement and rave reviews for the album’s “elaborate” visuals and impressive vocals, and Blue Ivy Carter’s adorable cameos:

Watch the “Already” music video above, via Youtube.

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