Featuring minimalist production with a pronounced hip-hop sound, ‘Formation’s lyrics make reference to Beyonce’s Southern heritage. She was born in Texas, to parents from Louisiana and Alabama, and the video is shot in New Orleans, the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina over a decade ago, reported Contactmusic.
It features a number of visual and lyrical references to police violence against black people, an issue that has been prominent in US news coverage for the last couple of years. “Stop shooting us”, one piece of graffiti says, as Beyonce dances and poses atop police cars. It all adds up to a gritty street anthem emphasizing roots and background. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, also appears in the video, dancing with a group of young girls.
The new release has prompted speculation that the 34 year old singer is about to unleash a new album. In January, sources close to the singer suggested that she was waiting for most of the hype around Adele’s ‘25’ to die down before releasing it. In December 2013, she memorably dropped her last album ‘Beyonce’ by surprise, but hasn’t released any new material since the Platinum Edition of that album, until now.
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Beyonce may treat fans with a new album soon!
