It’s a Taryn Hope takeover! I have been honoured with the opportunity from my good pals at The Pop Culture Reference to come here and basically scream some of my thoughts about Beyoncé at someone other than my poor partner (who kindly listens to my ranting). Beyoncé’s second surprise visual album, entitled Lemonade, has dropped and changed our world for the better. This impeccable album tackles infidelity, race, womanhood, and a whole lot more. The film was officially released on HBO Saturday, April 23, 2016 and the album and film are available for streaming on Tidal, and purchase on iTunes and Amazon. Do yourself a huge favour and check it out if you haven’t already. Here are some great reads to help wrap your head around this remarkable piece of art.

• Vulture has given us this great song-by-song recap of the album, and explains everything you need to know about each track. It is perfect for dipping your toe into just how much is going on in this whole experience.
• Beyoncé is nothing if not influential, and The Verge has done an excellent job of explaining how the world of pop music has changed with this album. This piece has a great synthesis of the genres at play in Lemonade and notes that we now have the very first album that you have to see to get.
• You’ll definitely have noticed the breathtaking poetry that punctuates the film. Warsan Shire is the 27-year-old Kenya born Somali-British poet who is London’s first Young Poet Laureate and is currently experiencing the power of an endorsement from Beyoncé. She is a true powerhouse poet.
• With the death of Prince fresh in our hearts, Harriet Tubman taking her deserved place on the $20 bill, and now this masterpiece that is a full reflection on black womanhood Sam Sanders at NPR meditates on how this incredibly black week informs how we think about politics.
• We need more pieces on “Daddy Lessons” because there is SO MUCH going on in that song that is so important, both individually within the context of the narrator’s journey, but also culturally. I have yet to find anything that precisely encompasses just why this song is so important to me, so I will be writing it soon (stay tuned)! The best article about the song I could find is by Victoria M. Massie, who put together a super interesting piece for Vox on country music’s black roots and why “Daddy Lessons” doesn’t sound like country music to a lot of people. Also of import, this is the only song on the album that she produced solo!
• Are you still wondering who Becky with the Good Hair is? Catch up on everyone who it could be with this comprehensive list of everyone possibly connected with Jay. My personal vote goes to Aunt Becky from Full House, she did have GOOD hair.
• A discussion about Lemonade requires thought (intelligent thought, that is – I’m looking at you Piers Morgan) about race, and specifically black women. The Guardian has an enlightening overview of the blackness that pervades the album and film. It also mentions the super quick shot of a very pregnant Beyoncé, which more people need to talk about. Pretty much everyone has to apologize to Bey immediately for the shade they have been throwing for like 4 years.
• On that note, hearts to Orange is the New Black star (and general feminist hunk) Matt McGorry who is having NONE of Piers Morgan’s nonsense.
• HBO officially announced they will be submitting Lemonade to the Emmys as a Variety Special. So Queen B is working towards the EGOT that we’ve already given her in our minds.
• I have to admit something, guys. I am Becky with the Good Hair. At least according to this amazing quiz from Jezebel. So the speculation can now stop. (But actually, I’m super not, so don’t send the BeyHive after me) Take the quiz and let us know if you are ALSO Becky with the Good Hair.