LOST YO MIND

The 20th anniversary of Beyoncé’s multi-platinum, Grammy-winning 2006 sophomore album, B’Day, was just over a month ago. In celebration, a massive deluxe version of the album was released: a 31-song, two-hour behemoth of vaulted songs and the original tracklist. While lots of tracks are new features on existing songs or Spanish remixes (most are the latter), “LOST YO MIND” is an unreleased original that rang a familiar bell in my head. I haven’t been able to distinguish whether I’ve heard the song somewhere long ago — she has performed it before and fans have spread the leaked audio file around the web — or if it just adheres to the sound and rhythms of my favorite pop album of all time. Perhaps I’ve just lost my mind.

Beyoncé had already perfected the powerful, angry vocals with the studio release of this album — think “RING THE ALARM” and “FREAKUM DRESS” — back in 2006. While lacking the lyrical and sonic storytelling that brings beautiful complexity to B’Day, “LOST YO MIND” doubles down on the bass-y vocals and the marching-band backing that pervades Beyoncé’s music to this day. Listening to this vaulted track 20 years later, with her impact on the music industry now evident, it’s clear why artists continue to chase the impossible sonic standard B’Day established.

If you liked this one and somehow haven’t listened to the above-mentioned album, you have homework. Make it a great week, and see you next Wednesday!