“Countdown” | Beyoncé
This track is a virtuoso performance from singer and producers alike, so giddy with the thrill of having someone have your back that it can’t sit still. The tempo shifts are like a smitten lover trying to calm herself down only to start babbling about how awesome everything is all over again a moment later. “Countdown” can’t stop spinning out new musical ideas every few seconds because maybe this zinging synth riff or this crazy orchestral percussion crescendo will help you catch the feeling, too. Beyoncé cycles breathlessly through every vocal trick at her command, from church choir ululating to fierce fast-rap, and somehow it’s both overwhelming and infectious, coming off like the most emotionally affecting sound effects record ever recorded. Sure, we’ve all been in love. But it’s doubtful we’ve ever sounded this damn excited about it. —Jess Harvell, Pitchfork
