Beyonce’s latest album leaked prematurely to the net and caused a widespread stir across the industry. The new album ‘4’ was slated to be released on June 28, three weeks from when it leaked. Interestingly enough, because of the unavoidable leak, a plethora of early reviews from media outlets have been coming in.

These are the media reviews:

Rolling Stone

“Beyoncé’s new album, 4, is a change of pace for the R&B queen … 4 is a more relaxed, personal set that emphasizes ballads over bangers and showcases the singer’s nuances; it’s very much the sort of album a pop star makes when she doesn’t feel like she has anything to prove.”

The Atlantic

“In between, there’s an unmistakable, if gradual, turn from melancholic top 40 ballads to the confrontational snap of military drums and giddy proclamations of love. Is this I Am … Sasha Fierce part 2? Not quite. The course of 4 documents a progression, a maturation, of Beyoncé’s worldview.”

Ology.com

“It stands quite easily as Knowles’ most vibrant album; not saying it’s her best (B’Day still holds that title), but it begs to be performed live in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans unlike anything else she’s released yet.”

Beyonce’s promo singles into the release of ‘4’ has been fueled by the release of tracks like the snarling “Run the World (Girls)”, the track “Best Thing I Never Had,” and the emotional “1+1.”

At press time, the original release for ‘4’ was supposed to be scheduled for June 28.