Beyoncé
Lemonade (Parkwood/Columbia)
Aurelia of Aurelia & Icarus Moth told us about her Beyoncé love...
Aurelia: While I'm surrounded by a myriad of influences, the one that has always sat closest to my heart is Lemonade by Beyoncé. From a purely musical standpoint, this album is a masterpiece that spans multiple genres, combining production references from rock to country music to dance pop and trap music. Yet, it remains cohesive, fresh, and unmistakably her. I had yet to hear something from a pop star that sounded so expansive, and with her god-tier voice on top.
Beyond the sound, Lemonade is one of the most intimate portraits we’ve ever been given of a cultural icon. I've admired Beyonce since Destiny's Child's The Writing's On The Wall, and seeing that progression of a voice and icon has been so special. The lyrics, production, and especially the visual album’s cinematography, deliver an honesty and emotional rawness that shook me to my core, which Beyoncé shocked the world with.
Watching it for the first time was the moment I myself knew I needed to become an artist. Beyoncé’s ability to center Black American stories and experiences in such a bold, artful, and political way cemented her legacy not just as a performer but as a cultural force. I’m endlessly inspired by "Lemonade", the voices it empowered, and the art it continues to influence. I'm lucky enough to have seen it in my lifetime.
Aurelia & Icerus Moth's EP PROMETHEANS is out now.
