 Upon release, Beyoncé received universal acclaim from music critics. Kitty Empire of The Observer praised the album for its "squeaky sexed-up falsettos, hood rat rapping, wordless ecstasies and effortless swoops". She found the album's overt feminist message to be a particular highlight. In The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick applauded Beyoncé as "one of the most technically gifted vocalists in pop, with gospel power, hip-hop flow and a huge range." He also noted the album's sexual tone and loose song-structure as distinct features. Jon Pareles of The New York Times described the tracks as "steamy and sleek, full of erotic exploits and sultry vocals; every so often, for variety, they turn vulnerable, compassionate or pro-feminist". He also noted they were "alert to the current sound of clubs and radio, but not trapped by it". Noting the lack of "guaranteed hits", NME found it to be Beyoncé's most experimental work to date, particularly for its dark production and complex themes.
