Photo: Press
Magna Carta Holy Grail marks Jay-Z's 12th studio album, released today to one million Samsung mobile andtablet users across the globe through a free download from an exclusive app.
The lucky few around the world will get to listen to all brand new 16 tracks before 7 July 7 when the album will be available in retail and digital stores.
The album is the first album since the birth of his baby daughter, with R&B superstar wife Beyonce, Blue Ivy. Let’s have a listen and see what we have in store...
'Holy Grail' feat. Justin Timberlake
'Holy Grail' kicks off album featuring none other than the ‘Mirrors’ star, Justin Timberlake. As Timberlake opens, slightly whiny in vocals, the slow piano dramatizes the switch back and forth into the more upbeat Jay-Z hip-hop tempo that we've come to love and expect. Featuring relatable Nirvana lyrics from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', this first track interestingly talks metaphorically of Hov’s relationship with fame.
'Picasso Baby'
Moving forward into 'Picasso Baby', this one is pure hip hop in its rawest form. With futuristic electronic echoes piercing the heavy vibration beats, the rapper can't help but speak of his wife only two tracks in: "Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa, the modern day version, with better features."
'Tom Ford'
Slow in tempo with bouncing beats throughout, there are almost Crystal Castle-esque elements due to the broken electronic jitters. Fused with hip hop and mixed with Hov's lyrical melody, this makes for a seamless and effortleslly cool track about New York fashion designer, Tom Ford. Now it might just be me, but look out for the ever so slight similarity of M.I.A's 'Bad Girls' right at the very start, around "coming up, coming down". Whatever - it works.
'F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit' feat. Rick Ross
A slow bass groove creeps into lyrics "f*ck with me you know I got it" by Rick Ross. This song just affirms Jay-Z's status' as the true messiah of hip hop music. Amen
'Oceans' feat. Frank Ocean
Heavily orchestrated through percussion and symbols featuring Channel Orange hero Frank Ocean himself, the talented pair show a spiritual connection to the deep blue. A true match made in heaven.
'F.U.T.W'
Music perfect for blistering hot days, the smoothing electronic tinkles and it's low key, heavy set muffled thuds makes, "F*ck Up The World". With lyrics to make you think, such as "I'm just trying to come from under the thumb of this regime", it's flawlessly powerful.
'Somewhereinamerica'
Reading between the lines, it could be assumed "a million sold before the album dropped" could mean the aforementioned Samsung deal. However, this poppy up-beat track features trumpets and piano elements. Although, not so much can be assumed from end lyric: "Miley Cyrus is still twerkin."
'Crown'
"You in the presence of a king - scratch that you in a presence of a God." For anyone else, this wouldn't work but it just does for the Hov. With tight bass and zipping electronic details, it tails off with dramatic piano, making 'Crown' the more darker track of the album. A true challenge to Kanye West's self-affirmed God-like status.
'Heaven'
"Conspiracy theorist screaming illuminati, they can't believe this much skill is in the human body," spits Jay-Z on the thoughtful lyrical play of 'Heaven', before adding: "question religion, question it all". Question everything indeed, like how he came up with the birlliant idea of lifting the track with the chorus of REM's classic 'Losing My Religion'.
'Versus'
The short 52 seconds of 'Versus' features the succinct but accurate line: "Your last shit ain't better than my first sh[i, your best shit aint better than my worst sh*t." I wonder who on Earth he could be talking about...
'Part II (On The Run)' feat. Beyonce
Beyonce is to reunite again with her husband once more in this beautiful duet - more of a poetic story than a cliché love song. The powerful clapping beat, intertwined with the contrasting fluidity of soft piano and Beyonce's rich vocals just might be perhaps more beautiful than lyric:"I don't care if you on the run. Baby as long as I'm next to you." Aww.
'Beach Is Better'
Oof. 56 seconds long in length, the heavy electro vibrations hinder on slightly unnerving. Working with producer Mike Will, they kept it effortless and uncomplicated.
'BBC' feat. Nas, Justin Timerblake, Beyonce, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell & Timberland
With so many stars on such an album makes for an incredible song layered with disco-esque depth, it's a sure hit in the making.
'Jay-Z Blue'
What did you expect from Jay with his Blue Ivy dedicated song? Serious in nature, with more orchestrated softer elements and background acoustic guitar, the track candidly reveals Hov’s fears of failing as a father to daughter Blue Ivy.
'La Familia'
If we haven't took the hint by now, the line "family first" at the start of the 'La Familia' confirms Hov’s high priorities is life at the moment. Its calm use of electronica and percussion has produced a unique sound - illustrating the two opposites together, fusing them throughout the entire album. It's not too heavy, but definitely different.
'Nickels and Dimes'
Ending on a materialistic face value note. It in fact sums up Jay-Z's motivation: "Nickel and dime, got me itching to do this shit for my mom". This striped back hip hop track is industrial in sound. Simply dramatic, sensitive and revealing.
Verdict: As we've seen, fatherhood has engulfed the hip hop star in every best way. He’s taken on the role and it fits him perfectly.
Magna Carta Holy Grail is anything but difficult and is more than welcomed. Personifying the sentiments felt to his family, he’s happy and it shows. Switching between electronic and orchestra elements, a much softer Jay-Z is presented here. Representing age and stability through his fame and wealth, his priorities are in order and he’s doing what he does best - because he loves it.
Balancing fame with family life, the whole album is a snapshot into the stars current life, and it's amazing.
Listen to the album below:
