'4' ***
Sony

Beyoncé Knowles consistently challenges herself with athletic choreography, ambitious concerts and gravity-mocking heels. Likewise, her latest album, 4, takes Be’s already impressive vocals to new heights. Gimmicky guest spots are kept to a minimum That being said, this is the only album aside from Destiny’s Child’s '8 Days of Christmas’ Beyoncé has recorded since childhood that fails to deliver at least two undeniably awesome cuts. Not to say there won’t be hits. She’s too big to fail. Overall, the formula — middle-ofthe- road, synthy slow jams with melodramatic vocal workouts — falls flat. The 29-year-old has made a concertedly middle-aged album. She frankly sounds 50. But these are sags a few fresh remixes can tighten up.

Author: Jake Austen