Arts: Music

4 of Beyoncé’s Most Iconic Moments As She Turns 40

FINN MURPHY | MUSIC EDITOR

She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment, and at the beginning of September, Beyoncé turned 40. To mark the occasion, it is important to remember what makes her so influential in the music industry. The Queen of music has had many iconic moments, but these 4 are just some of the best.

1. Coachella, or should we say Beychella. In 2018, Beyoncé became the first African American woman to headline Coachella and her performance remains one of the most memorable to come out of the festival. Featuring majorette dancers and a full marching band, her performance was inspired by and paid tribute to the culture of black colleges and universities, whilst also co-starring Destiny’s Child members, Kelly and Michelle, her sister, Solange Knowles and her husband, Jay-Z. Additionally, the production was released as a film on Netflix and a live album titled Homecoming, receiving the Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2020 and critical acclaim across the globe.

2. Pregnancy Announcements If fans weren’t already excited enough for Beyoncé to have children, then her pregnancy announcements only added to the emotions. At the 2011 Video Music Awards, Beyoncé performed one of her greatest hits, Love on Top in a purple sequin pant suit alongside a posse of backup singers and dancers. She ended the performance with a perfect mic-drop moment, unbuttoning her jacket to cradle her baby bump. 6 years later, Beyoncé came back with a bang and announced that she was pregnant with twins on Instagram with a photo of her dressed like a goddess with a green veil living her floral fantasy. The post became the most liked photo on the platform in 2017 and reminds us that even a pregnancy announcement can be iconic. 3. Winning a Grammy with her daughter At the 63rd Grammy Awards, Beyoncé and her daughter, Blue Ivy, took home the award for Best Music Video with WizKid for Brown Skin Girl, beating artists Drake and Harry Styles. The video for the song was originally produced for Black is King, the Disney+ visual album and film before later being released as a standalone music video. The video features cameos from model Naomi Campbell, actress Lupita Nyong’o, singer Kelly Rowland, models Adut Akech and Aweng Ade-Chuol, as well as Beyoncé’s mother, Tina KnowlesLawson, and daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi, acting as a celebration of the beauty of darker complexions. This particular Grammy Awards was important for Beyoncé as she became the most-awarded woman in Grammy history, winning one of those awards with one of the youngest Grammy award winners, her own daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

4. The Lemonade Era

In April 2016, Beyoncé released her second visual album, “Lemonade”, thus starting the Lemonade era. The album tells the story of a woman who discovers her husband’s infidelity and tracks the emotions and the journey she must go through in order to reach forgiveness. The album was defined by grace and elegance, whilst also perfectly representing heartache and anger. In the video for Hold Up, the singer marches down a busy street in a flowy mustard yellow dress before pulling out a baseball bat to destroy car windows and fire hydrants. This video alone became a major cultural phenomenon, with many fans and other creatives creating parodies of the video, notably in Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Beyoncé constantly reminds us why she is the Queen of Music, and one of the best, if not the best, performer of our time. Her list of iconic moments is endless and will continue to be added to as her career only gets better.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Goddesses in Gold: Review of Rumors by Lizzo ft. Cardi B

FINN MURPHY | MUSIC EDITOR

Reminiscent of Truth Hurts, Lizzo’s new single, Rumors, is the clapback hit that reminds us why Lizzo remains one of the most iconic artists in pop music history. Both Lizzo and Cardi B are constantly attacked in the media and by the public for generally just existing, but they team up in this track to let the haters know that they are still here, and they are thriving.

The music video opens with an animated Lizzo painted on ancient Greek pottery and the whole ensemble resembles the Mount Olympus featured in Disney’s 1997 film, Hercules. In each chorus, Lizzo is surrounded by beautiful black women dancing like the Muses of Hercules. Lizzo is also joined by her pregnant labelmate, Cardi B, sat atop a phallic shaped throne rapping about her rise to fame and how tiresome the business can be. down, realer sh*t is going on, baby, take a look around,’ championing the idea that people should focus their energy on better causes. In a world which is so divided, we must push our energy onto valuable causes rather than finding fault in small details of a celebrity’s life. Society is threatened by those that do not conform to a certain stereotype or beauty industry standard but still prevail as beautiful and successful and this is only emphasised by the backlash that Lizzo has received from this single and music video.

Some claimed that Lizzo is appealing only to the white gaze, but she hit back on TikTok, claiming that this idea is both ‘fatphobic’ and ‘racist.’ The song acts as a positive affirmation to remind those who do not always fit in or those that are singled out for not conforming to society’s standards that it is okay to be different, that you can still be successful despite the haters. However, it is also important to note that this does bring forward a general argument about visibility and how important representation is. Lizzo has the platform to speak out about these things and feel good in her body as she has made a ‘brand’ out of this, it is now what fans expect of Lizzo, but when it comes to everyday people, the same does not apply. Being able to see yourself in somewhere that you may have not seen yourself before will not solve political issues.

But generally, many believe this argument completely dismisses what Lizzo is doing, she is happy and thriving in her new single and is unapologetically herself, something that needs to be praised more often. Lizzo summarised her intentions on TikTok: ‘I’m doing this for the big Black women in the future who just want to live their lives without being scrutinized or put into boxes.’

Source: Lizzo, Instagram to this. Oli describes the song as a combination of “smooth lyricism with a jazzy saxophone instrumental, supplemented by a strong bassline and beat.” Favourite Album: Breathing Exercises - Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn - The Brighton double act of Frankie Stew on vocals and Harvey Gunn mixing dreamy instrumentals, have struck gold with their 2020 album, according to Oli. Stew’s deep, raspy tone adds real power and emphasis to his beautiful lyrics, which create a wondrous melange with Gunn’s backing tracks, jumping from more upbeat, ‘summery’ vibes like on Electric Scooter, to the more ‘sad boy’ tunes Tortoise, Lost at Sea, and the album’s lead track Dream Factory, with Loyle Carner’s wholesome verse sitting as the highlight of the entire record.

Lizzo and Cardi B team up in the new single Rumors to fight the haters and let people know that no matter how many times they get knocked down, they will always rise again and celebrate who they are.

As part of a new feature, each issue of the Founder will feature some of our editor’s recommendations for their favourite songs, albums, and artists. So, have a read if you want to find something new to listen to or even be reminded of one of your own favourites.

Lifestyle Editor, Cyann’s picks:

The Founder Recommends

album as a ‘feel-good’ album. Bastille have recently released a new single, titled Thelma + Louise, which Cyann is certain that it will be her new favourite song in a month’s time. Favourite Artist: REN

- Ren is a relatively small artist, but definitely has a powerful voice. After going viral with videos of him busking in Brighton, Ren was scouted by Sony, but had to later drop the record deal due to being diagnosed with Lyme disease. Despite this he still releases indie music with rap for his fans and Cyann says that it is great for chilling out and a must for her in the mornings to make her feel good for the day ahead. She particularly recommends that you listen to Blind Eyed.

Favourite Song: Into Your Arms – Witt Lowry ft. Ava Max - You will most likely know this song from TikTok, but Cyann says that “it is still a great listen.” Witt Lowry is an American rapper who began his career as an independent artist back in 2011. On this song, he features Ava Max and Cyann especially appreciates Max’s feature and how her vocals fit perfectly with the lyrics of the song. It is definitely a song that will get stuck in your head. Favourite Album: All This Bad Blood – Bastille

- A bit of a throwback to 2013, but this album is Cyann’s go to album for literally everything. Released 8 years ago, the band combines multiple genres, from indie pop to alternative dance to highlight their range. Nominated for British Album of the Year at the 2014 BRIT Awards, Cyann describes the Sports Editor, Oli’s picks:

Source:

Spotify

Favourite Song: Foryaboi – Ninety7 ft. Jay Brunell - Oli originally struggled to answer this question because his favourite song changes so often, however he decided upon Foryaboi as it is the song that he has played the most recently. North London rapper, Ninety7, has been described as a master of hip-hop and his track featuring Jay Brunell is no exception Favourite Artist: Koi

- Koi began his career from the underground LA hiphop scene, and Oli loves everything about him, particularly “his carefree, lax style, mixed in with some incredible musical production, most of which he continues to do himself.” After gaining recognition originally from Soundcloud, he has now decided to go more ‘mainstream’ with this music and more of his songs are now finding their ways onto Spotify and Apple Music. Oli would recommend Koi’s more recent hits, specifically big, all of that, make it up, and rushing as they “encapsulate completely different vibes and emotions, with musicality and productive flair”.

Review: BTS, Map of the Soul: 7

KATHERINE MCGLADDERY | CONTENT WRITER

The cultural impact of BTS is undeniable, whether you have only heard the superstar South Korean septet’s name in passing or are a proud ARMY (the acronym coined for the group’s devoted fanbase). They have conquered the commercial market as well as the music industry, with their name branding everything from McDonald’s meals to Louis Vuitton and Hyundai collections. Their rise to fame has been somewhat glossed over by Western press, who unfortunately tend to represent them as a sensationalised novelty act rather than a serious musical contender. This grossly undermines the group’s broad range of talents, as well as their long and arduous path to being the first Korean group in history to be nominated for a Grammy award - an accolade which is more than overdue.

The significance of ‘7’ draws upon BTS’ sevenyear anniversary and the seven members. After the hugely successful Love Myself trilogy, where could they go from there? Everywhere, it seems. The album tends to flit between more radio friendly tunes such as the highly successful Boy with Luv featuring Halsey which has currently racked up a staggering 1.3 billion views on YouTube, and introspective

reflections. These topics cover the dark side of fame, imposter syndrome, and mental health struggles. In the atmospheric Black Swan, the seven voices of BTS are layered to appear as one. This reflects both their unity as a group, the bleakness of the lyrics in which they explore the darker side of their success, and the fear of falling out of love with music. Their honesty is refreshing and for a group on such a worldwide scale to be so transparent about their own difficulties is very inspiring for fans who may be struggling with their own issues. There are also touching personal moments. The quirky and upbeat Friends is a finely crafted and intimate pop song celebrating the friendship between bandmates Jimin and V as they proclaim, ‘You are my soulmate’. We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal is undoubtedly the most tear-jerking song on the album. BTS reflect on the hardships they have faced during their career, but this is countered through a disarmingly sweet melody that ends with the refrain ‘We are not seven with you’. This direct reference to the band’s highly passionate fanbase cements the song as a thoughtful tribute and a lyrical ‘thank you’ for their support.

Members are given individual moments to shine in various genres; Jimin excels in the sultry Latin inspired Filter, while Jin’s retro, cosmic-themed track, Moon, is filled with catchy guitar hooks. Ugh doesn’t pull any punches and showcases everything that is great about BTS’s remarkably strong rap line, as the trio bring their personal strengths to a rage fuelled and powerful climax. Overall, Map of the Soul: 7 is an impressive showcase which highlights everything that makes BTS unique. Through a blend of upbeat summery bops that broaden their universal appeal, furiously fast flowing raps, and tender ballads, their versatility is the unmistakeable heart at the centre of their music that will sustain their career for many years to come.

Source: @danielpioro, Instagram

Review: Daniel Pioro, Dust

between organ, cello, and viola da gamba, Pioro makes his own mark on the piece, setting his recording aside from the hundreds of pre-existing takes on the piece. Pioro’s control over the soaring violin lines are the most lark-like in the industry, and the track’s careful instrumentation choices make for an utterly transformative soundscape.

ABRA HERITAGE | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Rich textural scoring, striking musical fluidity, and beds of electronic sound against virtuosic playing. Daniel Pioro’s Dust captures everything there is to love about modern instrumental recordings. Released with Icelandic record label, Bedroom Community, Pioro’s album reaches across four centuries of musical composition. From 17th century Biber to ultra-modern Oliver Coates, each recording feels distinctly at home in this breath-taking exploration of composition for violin.

Defining Pioro’s sound and situating him in a musical sub-category proves difficult. With works such as Vaughn Williams' The Lark Ascending sitting alongside Valgeir Sigurðsson’s Dust ii. Particles, Pioro refuses to conform to one genre of sound. Instead, the album creates a new space for an appreciation of sound above mindless genre conformance. In interview with ‘Meet the Artist’, Pioro explained his repertoire choices with a simple dismissal of categorically grouping the music he plays: “I’m always trying to find new sounds that excite me...There’s just music there to be played. And so much of it intertwines perfectly”. In grouping together sounds that excite and evoke passion, the tracks on Dust feel as well suited to each other as pieces written by the same composer, a testament to Pioro’s unwavering musical ability and flexibility. The album begins with Dust, a three-part work composed for Pioro by Sigurðsson. Described by Pioro as “a full exploration of the sound world a violin allows...hope and birth and death and melancholy”, Dust is certainly the most musically expansive and explorative work of the album. Dust i. cosmos opens the album with whispering yet rich string movement, background harmonics, and slow, delicate, harmonic movement. The sound is not hindered by a lack of a strong melodic line, in fact, it is improved. In removing an overt sense of melodic movement, Sigurðsson’s writing forces listeners to be enriched by all of the timbres of the piece, tuning in to background electronics and breathy strings. As the work develops in the second track of the album, Dust ii. particles, the electronic elements thicken, and the violin adopts a much heavier melodic role with raw, fast paced, string-crossing movement. Dust iii. rest concludes the work, returning to a slow, rich, texture-focused scoring, producing a cyclical structure in the piece, reminiscent of Pioro’s view of the work as one of birth and death.

Pioro’s recording of Biber’s Passacaglia suits the album’s auditory focus of musical intimacy and textural focus. Part of The Rosary Sonatas, the piece is known for its technical difficulty. Pioro makes the moments of sparseness sing, injecting a new sense of life into one of the oldest surviving pieces for solo violin. Similarly, Pioro’s new approach to Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending provides the album with a breath of fresh air. Classic FM’s eleven-time winning ‘Hall of Fame’ track, The Lark Ascending is one of Britain’s most loved classical pieces. Introducing bird-sound recordings, and dividing the orchestral accompaniment Recognised as one of the most groundbreaking violinists of his generation, Pioro’s career in music is ever developing. His new role as Associate Artist in Contemporary String Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will allow for Pioro to continue his exploration in violin performance and composition, pushing the boundaries of sound further in a discovery of experimental instrumental music.