Lemonade. At first, it was a chilling drink to quench your thirst when you were a child as you played outside. Then, it was the second option at every family get together if you didn't like tea or the punch. Now, it's Beyonce's new visual album, and I'm not OK. This is a personal memoir of my first listen to the album following the stages of emotions I went through as my life was sucked into a vortex that I don't ever want to return from.

1. "Pray You Catch Me"

When those dissonant vocals entered the scene, this was me. I was instantly taken into a world that she created. She set the tone. She set the rules, but then she broke them all.

2. "Hold Up"

The steel drums came in. I was vibin'. I was on board, but then she left me in the dust with her lyrics. She was acting all through this song and I was loving what I was getting.

3. "Don't Hurt Yourself"

Is this Jack White? She's a genius. Her vocals were mixed in only a way that Jack White can. So edgy. So powerful. I knew at this point that I wasn't coming out of this the same.

4. "Sorry"

When I saw the song title, I was confused, because Beyonce has nothing to be sorry for. But then she reassured me with her first lyric, "I ain't sorry." But I was sorry that I let myself get this sucked in by only the fourth song.

5. "6 Inch"

Now I'm gone. Now I'm so gone. I don't even feel worthy to approach this song. So raw and dark from the second it begins. The Weekend adds little to this song besides vocals, but he definitely left his touch on the song because it sounds like it belongs on one of his albums. It's sick.

6. "Daddy Lessons"

What?? Beyonce is going for the ACMs this year too. A country song?? Where does she come up with this stuff? Am I at Cici's Pizza, because I paid for pizza, but I got a cinnamon roll too! Brilliant, brilliant song that takes us back to her southern roots.

7. "Love Drought"

What am I listening to because it wasn't created by another human? Immediately following a country-inspired song, I wasn't ready for this sensual bop. And that is exactly what it is.

8. "Sandcastles"

I heard the piano. I felt it coming. Beyonce got my tear ducts working for the first time in a while. Beyonce does ballads like nobody else. "Every promise don't work out that way." A beautifully simple line that seems so cliche, but hasn't really been said before.

9. "Forward"

Now hold up here, Bey. You know I love James Blake. You know I love him, and you put him on your album almost entirely by himself? This album just took a turn and I think I can see where it's heading. Get on your soap box, because your crowd is here to listen.

10. "Freedom"

I feel like I should be watching a Spike Lee movie at this point. I'm inspired. I'm on my feet. You're giving us an anthem, Beyonce, but then, oh just you wait, but then Kendrick comes in and he's out for blood. And as soon as I saw him coming, I went straight to the red cross, got in the donation line, got in that chair and when they asked what blood type I was, I said "Free." She hits us with a sample at the end that gives us the meaning of her album title. The classic "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." This is an anthem for black empowerment which, I have no experience to speak on, but I'm definitely behind whatever movement she's starting.

11. "All Night"

Wow. This sounds like the beginning of a Sam Cook song, but then Bey makes it her own and I'm buying whatever product she's selling.

12. "Formation"

Woof, this woman doesn't stop. I was confused when I saw the most popular single from this song at the last spot, but it wraps the whole thing up. This is an album for black, female empowerment, and she hits it just right. I feel honored to have listened to this album. But it's not for me, and that's OK.

Whatever your feelings are on Beyonce, she's a legend, and if you disagree, you're wrong. There's no opinion in the matter. Her ability to create an individual narrative by means of an album with not only music but music videos for each song is astounding. She has a message. She has the power. She has the platform. We just have to sit back and let it take us where it does. 2016 needed "Lemonade," and she delivered up exactly what we ordered.