I Am: Sasha Fierce

I AM...SASHA FIERCE DELUXE - Includes five #1 hits "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," "If I Were A Boy," "Halo," "Ego," and "Sweet Dreams." Also includes bonus tracks "Video Phone" featuring Lady GaGa and "Poison."

(Amazon.co.uk Review) The latest outing from former Destiny's Child starlet Beyoncé is an intentionally schizophrenic affair. Splitting herself into two separate characters--herself and alter ego Sasha Fierce--is the artist's way of presenting what she obviously sees as an artistic duality. The first set, I Am..., is intended give a glimpse beneath the surface of her usual R&B-pop persona. Featuring recent single “If I Was a Boy", the soaring “Halo", and ballads like “Disappear", and “Ave Maria", it seems her “real" self is way more saccharine than the lady that brought us sassy pop moments like “Crazy in Love" and “Baby Boy". That side of her personality comes rushing back out on Sasha Fierce, a more rousing collection that kicks off with the infectious handclaps of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", ventures into Euro-dance territory with “Radio", and gets surprisingly risque with the voyeuristic “Video Phone". Which part of the album you enjoy most will depend on your musical proclivities, but the new, bifurcated Beyoncé ensures there's enough diversity to satisfy the most demanding pop aficionado. --Danny McKenna