It's hyped up, rush-released to avoid piracy and full of stars--but is Beyoncé's solo album Dangerously in Love worthy of all the expectancy? Yes. Her individual break from Destiny's Child has been predicted for the last four years, but Dangerously in Love takes advantage of not being hurried. The first single "Crazy in Love" (featuring apparent fiancé Jay Z) opens the album and sets the quality bar high. Catchy, high octane and so, so now, it's the perfect club song. Then it's down to business with "Naughty Girl", a teasing track built around Donna Summer's erotic "Love to Love You Baby"--Beyoncé goes from soul-pop kid to sexually mature woman in three minutes.
The hip-hop of "Star" has a N*E*R*D feel, with Outkast's Big Boi undoubtedly responsible for pushing the track into rock/funk territory, a little out of the way of usual Destiny's Child fare. Sean Paul, fast replacing Busta Rhymes as the omnipresent guest star, takes over on "Baby Boy", riding a fashionably eastern-flavoured beat (not unrelated to the famous Diwali rhythm) around Beyoncé's vocals.
The ballad with Luther Vandross is tender without overdosing on sugar, while the astrological cut "Signs", with Missy Elliott, is another standout. Closing track "Daddy" finds Beyoncé crooning over a psychedelic piece of jazz funk, taken from cult 1970s artist Shuggie Otis, whom Beyoncé has been citing as an inspiration. Surprisingly, Beyoncé is the last member of Destiny's Child to release a solo album. The wait has been worthwhile. --Jake Barnes
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