By Ellie Pitkowsky ’18, Arts and Entertainment Editor

If you give Beyoncé lemons, she will make Lemonade, literally. Queen Bey’s newest album is a testament to the pain she has felt throughout her life, largely due to the infidelity she has faced from her husband Jay-Z, Lyndall Locke, her first serious boyfriend, or her father, who cheated on her mother many times.  The album’s diversity in mood, ranging from celebratory, to betrayed, to empowered, displays Beyoncé’s true, raw feelings and very human side to herself, as all people have significant ups and downs. Here, I will outline what I consider to be the top five songs from the album and what makes each of them powerful, catchy, and true works of art. Though these are, in my opinion, the best songs, there is truly not a bad song on the album and I highly recommend listening to the entire thing and that you watch the Lemonade movie as well.

1. “Sandcastles”- This song, arguably the most raw and emotional of all, is the best song on the album simply because of the two traits mentioned before. When Beyoncé sings the ballad, her voice cracks and it is evident that this song is very accurate of her feelings and struggles. The vivid pictures she paints of violent arguments and broken promises are enough to send anyone with a heart into sobs, earning it the top spot.

2. “Hold Up”- “Hold Up”, which is the second song on the album, is the perfect song to follow the haunting, upsetting tone of “Pray You Catch Me”. Though it explores the serious and unwanted topic of infidelity and suspicion, it is both empowering and catchy. Beyoncé shows the imperfect sides of herself, which none of us knew existed, outlining how she checked the recent callers list and felt both jealous and crazy. Overall, “Hold Up” earns a spot as #2 due to its humility, fun tone, and great lyrics.

3. “Love Drought”- Halfway through the album, Beyoncé introduces a more gentle side of the struggles of infidelity with “Love Drought”. The song is less angry than others and shows more of Beyoncé reflecting on her own actions as opposed to the wrongdoer’s. The light drums and still emotional lyrics provide for a song that is easy to listen to and very enjoyable.

4. “Formation”- The first single off Beyoncé’s newest album is definitely the most iconic. “Formation” is an intense embrace of Beyoncé’s black culture and carefree and powerful attitude toward anyone who does not welcome this side of her. She discusses Jay-Z’s looks, the criticisms of Blue Ivy’s hair, and thoroughly embraces her power as a woman and a woman of color. Beyoncé truly slays with this song as it is celebratory, powerful, and unapologetic.

5. “Daddy Lessons”- The sixth song on the album is perhaps the most personal of all the songs, as it is the most clear in its subject and feelings. “Daddy Lessons” tells the tale of Beyoncé’s father leaving her family, which happened in 1995. He was known to have been unfaithful as well as extremely controlling of Beyoncé’s career. The song displays the pressure Beyoncé felt to keep her family intact in the wake of her father’s departure, while still being light and fun.