Beyonce - Girls (Who Run The World)

In the immediate aftermath of Lady Gaga premiering Judas, everything else seems a little overshadowed - but the wheels of pop music must keep moving ever onward, and so today we have the demo version of Beyonce's new single Girls (Who Run The World). Sampling Major Lazer's Pon De Floor, details about the song and photos from its accompanying video have slowly leaked out over the past weaks, gradually raising excitement levels to breaking point.

I have to say though, on first listen to the demo, I'm not convinced. The song just doesn't gel with me. "That love we can devour" bit is very nice though. Beyonce is at her best when she strikes that perfect balance between fierce and incredibly sexy and this bit is bang on the money. The song then launches into the frantic, chanty chorus - but you can't help but feel it falls short in comparison to the likes of Single Ladies.

Also, with the Major Lazer sample, the best bit of the song isn't even used! Anyone who has been out clubbing in the past year or so will have heard the Major Lazer track played to death, and they will instantly be able to recognise the iconic hook, but it's not here! I hear it is absent only in this demo version however and the proper single release will see the hook restored. Phew!

The thing is, Beyonce has always been a pro in crafting tracks that sneak up on you sideways. For Girls (Who Run The World) is not a straight pop track - but regardless, it remains great for radio, great for clubs. Beyonce covers all bases, and as proved by her Glastonbury headline slot, commands immense credibility. Her I Am Sasha Fierce phase catapulted her into fully fledged dance diva superstar and Girls represents the next step in that progression.

This demo version is tantalisingly incomplete - in this format it disappoints, but the touches of greatness are definitely in here somewhere, shining seams of gold buried just below the surface. Fingers crossed that the final version is every inch the pop stormer we might expect from a Beyonce lead single.


Girls (Who Run the World) - Beyoncé by HDMI44