By: Charlie St. Dennis

As the craze behind Beyoncé’s new release, ‘Cowboy Carter,’ finally dials down, I’ve found myself taking more time to listen to some of her other albums from earlier in her career. In 8 solo studio albums, she has accomplished an admirable feat of having such a versatile discography with no stand-out “duds.” Here is my definitive ranking of each of Beyoncé’s albums, and why:

8. ‘Dangerously in Love’ (2003)

Recorded entirely during the longest and final hiatus of her hit girl-group, Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé recorded this as her first solo album. Though there’s nothing particularly bad about this, it even gave us some hits like “Crazy in Love” and “Naughty Girl,” there’s nothing that particularly stands out about it either. It is home to some of Beyoncé’s weakest tracks, which I won’t hold against her, considering she was very new to her career. My favorites off this album are “Dangerously In Love 2” and “Crazy In Love (feat. Jay Z).”

7. ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’ (2008)

Perhaps her most commercially successful album, with 9 chart topping singles, ‘I Am…’ is a classic. It also introduces us to Beyoncé’s alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. Fierce is said to only come out on stage, and shows Beyoncé’s more “aggressive and sensual” side. This is a good album, although I like Beyoncé’s more deep work, and we don’t see too much of that on this album (even though it is there, in some parts). While the hits on this album include “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Halo,” and “If I Were A Boy,” my personal favorite is “Diva.”

6. ‘BEYONCÉ’ (2013)

This is probably my most controversial ranking here. Many dedicated fans of Beyoncé would place this in what they’d call their “Holy Trinity” of her discography…but not this dedicated Beyoncé fan. While I do enjoy this album, I don’t think it particularly stands out. It does capture Beyoncé in her first state of vulnerability caught on recording! We see this vulnerability on tracks like “Heaven,” “Pretty Hurts,” and my personal favorite, “Blue (feat. Blue Ivy).” We also hear more upbeat tracks, which are good as well, including “Feeling Myself (feat. Nicki Minaj),” “***Flawless (feat. Nicki Minaj),” and “XO”. These are tracks that I generally enjoy, but they don’t do it for me *quite* like some of the upcoming albums.

5. ‘B’Day’ (2006)

I think ‘B’Day’ did a great job at showing us a little taste of all that Beyoncé was capable of. She was fresh out of Hollywood and the award show circuit due to her success as Deena Jones in the movie-musical ‘Dreamgirls’ and she was ready to release music of her own. She uses country and creole influences, and gives us a perfect blend of deep & danceable. My personal favorites from the album are “Listen (from Dreamgirls)” and “Get Me Bodied (Extended Mix).”

4. ‘4’ (2012)

‘4’ is a very interesting album because it is like a roller coaster but without all the bumps. It goes up and down and has its dance songs, motivational songs, and its sad, more depressing songs, but it’s all very intricate and well put together. It’s hard to pick a favorite song, considering I like them all very much. I’d say one of my favorite songs of all time is “I Care,” so that’s definitely my favorite off the album. I also love “Party (feat. Andre 3000),” which delightfully serves as a celebratory song for any and every occasion.

3. ‘Renaissance’ (2022)

‘Renaissance’ is like nothing else I’d heard before. It is distinct and clear in its intent to educate and to bring up the events of the past. We hear features from previously little known black queer icons such as Big Freedia, Kevin Aviance, Kevin JZ Prodigy, among many others. Not only is it educational and intentional, it’s also just really good music. You get a little neo-soul out of “Plastic Off The Sofa,” you get some classic house from “Break My Soul” and “Pure/Honey,” and of course you get some disco from songs like “Cuff It” and “Summer Renaissance.” I find the album to be quite versatile and cohesive, and that really works well for it. My favorites on the album are “Church Girl” and “Pure/Honey.”

2. ‘Cowboy Carter’ (2024)

If you’ve been reading my pieces in the Plaid Line for awhile now, you now that I really enjoyed ‘Cowboy Carter’. That still remains true! The album is a lovely way of stepping into territory that was new to Beyoncé, but also something she has dipped her toes in before. Songs from ‘Lemonade’ and ‘B’Day’ have foreshadowed Beyoncé’s country feature. Anyways, I really loved this album, and it very quickly moved its way up the ladder in terms of my favorite Beyoncé albums.

My favorites at press time, because they always change, are “Tyrant,” “Sweet * Honey * Buckin’,” and “Daughter.”

1. ‘Lemonade’ (2016)

And lastly, but definitely not least, we have ‘Lemonade’. As you may know, I also really enjoyed ‘Lemonade’. It might just be the perfect album. It tells a story that can be listened to as one, or in individual parts, however you choose. It ranges from sad R&B, to a more upbeat equivalent, and has heavy Caribbean, Creole, and Houstonian influences. I implore you to read my prior review for my depth, but take my word for it when I say I truly love this album. My favorites are “Hold Up,” “All Night,” and “Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar).”

This was incredibly hard to write because I love all of these albums so so much, but here was my best shot. So, with that, there is Beyoncé’s studio solo discography. I hope you enjoyed this review, and let me know what you think of Beyoncé’s discography!