I had assumed Beyonce had given up on latest album 4 after releasing pretty much half the album and not gaining any traction with the wider music world or its charts. Yes, it was better received by critics than any of her other albums- I liked it- and yes it was a record supposedly "for the fans" but don't be fooled, Beyonce is all about the numbers. Perhaps that's why, like a dog with a bone, Beyonce won't let this album go.
This brings us to her performance of latest, dead in the water, single Countdown on Jimmy Fallon- baby bump conspiracy theorists note, it was recorded in July. Looking carefree and relaxed B gave a low key performance of Countdown, that benefited from the heavier percussion and the attitude that the effortless, live vocals brought to the song. Some of the top notes were shaved off, but it was in keeping with overall simplicity of this performance.
The superstar sales may be missing from the this project but the superstar certainly isn't.
Rating: B
