Jump to content

Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jimmio78 (talk | contribs) at 03:16, 30 July 2022. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Renaissance
A black woman in a spikey metal bathing suit sits a top a crystal horse
Standard cover
Studio album by
Beyoncé
ReleasedJuly 29, 2022
Recorded2020–2021
Genre
Length62:14
Label
Producer
Beyoncé chronology
The Lion King: The Gift
(2019) 		Renaissance
(2022)
Singles from Renaissance
  1. "Break My Soul"
    Released: June 20, 2022

Renaissance (also referred to as Act I: Renaissance) is the seventh studio album by American singer Beyoncé, released on July 29, 2022, via Columbia Records and Parkwood Entertainment. It is her first solo studio release since Lemonade (2016) and serves as the first "act" of a trilogy project. Beyoncé conceived the album as a product of her feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote and produced it with Nova Wav, The-Dream, Symbolyc One, A. G. Cook, Honey Dijon, Beam, Tricky Stewart, BloodPop, Skrillex, Hit-Boy, No I.D., P2J and various others. Beam, Grace Jones and Tems appear as guest vocalists.

The lead single "Break My Soul" was released June 20, 2022, and reached the top 10 of the singles charts in eight countries, including a peak of number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. Renaissance is an upbeat dance, pop and R&B record with heavy disco, house, hip hop and bounce influences. It received widespread acclaim from music critics for its cohesive and energetic production.

Background

In August 2021, during her cover story for Harper's Bazaar, Beyoncé revealed that she had been working on her seventh studio album for over a year, stating that "with all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again. I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible."[1][2]

Beyoncé began to tease a new album on June 7, 2022, by removing her profile picture from all of her social media platforms.[3][4] Four days later, the text "What is a B7?" appeared on the homepage of the singer's official website.[5] Fans noticed that the website also had placeholders for her upcoming seventh and eighth studio albums.[6] Beyoncé officially announced the album and released the pre-sale for Renaissance on her website and digital streaming platforms the following day.[7][8][9] It is Beyoncé's first solo studio album in six years since Lemonade, marking the longest gap between studio albums in her career.[10]

Discussing the album's themes and her creative intention, Beyoncé explained her desire to "create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom."[11]

Upon the album's release, Beyoncé posted a note on her website revealing that Renaissance is the first part of a three-act project that she recorded over the past three years, during the pandemic.[12] She also shared that the album is dedicated to her children, her husband, and Uncle Jonny,[13] her late first cousin who was gay and battled HIV,[14][15] and who she says was "the first person to expose [her] to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album."

Cover art

The cover art has been compared to John Collier's Lady Godiva (1898)

On June 30, 2022, Beyoncé revealed the album's cover art, accompanied by a brief note, on her social media accounts. In the cover image, she is seated atop a "glowing", "holographic", "crystal horse" in a "futuristic, centipede-ish bikini".[16] Critics interpreted the equestrian pose as an allusion both to John Collier's 1897 painting Lady Godiva and to photographs of Bianca Jagger riding a horse into Studio 54.[17][11] Beyoncé's garment was designed by Nusi Quero and is reminiscent of the crystal top she wore on the 2003 Dangerously in Love cover.[18]

The Conversion of Saint Paul by Luca Giordano (1690) is featured on the vinyl cover art.

An alternate cover image for the vinyl release features Beyoncé atop the same horse, but "wearing a white cowboy hat with a silver headpiece that hides her hair" and "sparkling silver chains that drape her arms and legs, as white, feathery poofs hang along the body of the horse".[19] The black backdrop of the standard issue cover is replaced with The Conversion of Saint Paul, a 1690 painting by Luca Giordano.[citation needed]

Promotion and release

On June 20, 2022, Beyoncé announced the album's lead single, "Break My Soul", would be released at midnight Eastern Time on June 21, to coincide with the 2022 summer solstice.[20][21] The song appeared on music streaming service Tidal hours early, on June 20, and a lyric video was later released on YouTube.[22][23]

After first joining TikTok in December 2021, Beyoncé posted her first video, a compilation of "dancing, vibing, and singing along" to Renaissance's lead single, "Break My Soul", on July 14, 2022.[24] Further, she made her entire catalogue available for use on the platform,[25] attracting significant media attention.[26][27][28]

Two days before the scheduled release, on July 27, the album arrived in retailers in France and eventually leaked onto the internet.[29]

Composition

Renaissance is a dance,[30][31] pop and R&B album.[32] It contains songs primarily drawing from house, disco, techno, garage, bounce,[33][34] Afrobeats, boogie, and deep house music,[35] with elements of funk, gospel, soul, hip-hop, trap, gqom, new jack swing, Jersey club and hyperpop as well.[36][37] Most of the songs are connected by seamless transitions with no breaks, evoking a DJ mix.[37][32]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic88/100[38]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Daily Telegraph[39]
The Guardian[40]
The Independent[41]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[42]
NME[43]
Rolling Stone[44]

Renaissance was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release.[45] On review aggregator Metacritic, Renaissance received a score of 88 out of 100 based on eight reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[38] On review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album has a rating of 7.9 out of 10.[46]

Writing for The Line of Best Fit, David Cobbald described Renaissance as one of Beyoncé's best albums to-date, noting that it is a departure from her previous efforts. Cobbald praised the album for celebrating "underappreciated architects" of disco, house and funk music.[30] Declaring the Renaissance an "absolutely stunning body of work", Kyle Denis of Billboard suggested the album is Beyoncé's most innovative work, with its "awe-inspiring" combination of genres, experimental sounds, and "most nuanced vocal performances".[47] Similarly, Kate Solomon of i dubbed the album as a "dazzling tribute to underground and underappreciated black culture" and as a dancefloor record aimed to heal the "the pain and anguish" of the COVID-19 pandemic.[48] The Guardian's Tara Joshi praised its playful lyrical content and cohesive sound while drawing from diverse genres. Joshi also stated that Renaissance falls short of being Beyoncé's best album but "still fulfils her liberationist aims."[49] Marcus Shorter of Consequence wrote Renaissance is not a perfect album but comes "pretty damn close" with its "infectious and not overbearing, elegant, but not shallow" songs.[50]

Track listing

Renaissance track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I'm That Girl"
3:28
2."Cozy"
3:30
3."Alien Superstar"
3:35
4."Cuff It"
3:45
5."Energy" (featuring Beam)
1:56
6."Break My Soul"
4:38
7."Church Girl"
3:44
8."Plastic off the Sofa"
4:14
9."Virgo's Groove"
  • Beyoncé
  • Kali
  • Solomon Cole
  • Daniel Memmi
  • Dustin Bowie
  • Darius Scott
  • Jocelyn Donald
  • Jesse Wilson
  • Andrews
  • Coney
  • Beyoncé
  • Kali
  • The-Dream[b]
6:08
10."Move" (featuring Grace Jones and Tems)
3:23
11."Heated"
4:20
12."Thique"
4:04
13."All Up in Your Mind"
2:49
14."America Has a Problem"
  • Beyoncé
  • The-Dream
  • Dean[a]
3:18
15."Pure/Honey"
  • Beyoncé
  • BloodPop
  • Nova Wav
  • Saadiq[b]
  • The-Dream[b]
  • White[b]
  • Dean[b]
4:48
16."Summer Renaissance"
4:34
Total length:62:14

Notes

  • ^[a] indicates a co-producer
  • ^[b] indicates an additional producer
  • All tracks are stylized in all caps. For example, "I'm That Girl" is stylized as "I'M THAT GIRL".

Sample credits

  • "I'm That Girl"
    • contains elements of "Still Pimpin", written by Tommy Wright III and Andrea Summers and performed by Tommy Wright III & Princess Loko.
  • "Cozy"
    • contains an excerpt of "Bitch I'm Black" by Ts Madison
    • contains a sample of "Get With U", written by Curtis Alan Jones and performed by Lidell Townsell & M.T.F
    • contains a sample of "Unique", as performed by Danube Dance featuring Kim Cooper.
  • "Alien Superstar"
    • contains an interpolation of "I'm Too Sexy", written by Rob Manzoli, Richard Fairbrass, and Christopher Fairbrass and performed by Right Said Fred
    • contains a sample of "Moonraker", written by John Michael Cooper and performed by Foremost Poets
    • contains a sample of Barbara Ann Teer's "Black Theatre" speech
    • contains a sample of "Unique", written by Kim Cooper and Peter Rauhofer and performed by Danube Dance.
  • "Cuff It"
  • "Energy"
    • contains an interpolation of "Ooh La La La", written by Mary Brockert and Allen McGrier and performed by Teena Marie
    • contains an interpolation of "Milkshake", written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo and performed by Kelis
    • contains a sample of "Explode", written by Freddie Ross and Adam Piggot and performed by Big Freedia.
  • "Break My Soul"
    • contains elements of "Show Me Love", written by Allen George and Fred McFarlane and performed by Robin S.
    • contains a sample of "Explode", written by Freddie Ross and Adam Piggot and performed by Big Freedia.
  • "Church Girl"
    • contains a sample of "Center Thy Will", written by Elbernita Clark and performed by The Clark Sisters
    • contains elements and interpolations of "Where They At", written by Jimi Payton, Dion Norman, and Derrick Ordogne and performed by DJ Jimi
    • contains elements and interpolations of "Think (About It)", written by James Brown and performed by Lyn Collins
    • contains elements of "Drag Rap (Triggerman)", written by Orville Hall and Phillip Price and performed by the Showboys.
  • "America Has a Problem"
  • "Pure/Honey"
    • contains a sample of "Miss Honey", written by Andrew Richardson, Count Maurice, and Moi Renee and performed by Moi Renee
    • contains a sample of "Cunty (Wave Mix)", written by Eric Snead and Jerel Black and performed by Kevin Aviance
    • contains a sample of "Feels Like", written by Michael Cox and Kevin Bellmon and performed by MikeQ & Kevin Jz Prodigy.
  • "Summer Renaissance"

Release history

Release history for Renaissance
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various July 29, 2022
[51][52]

References

  1. ^ Bjornson, Greta. "Beyoncé Says New Music Is on the Way: 'I Feel a Renaissance Emerging'". People. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Greenidge, Kaitlyn (August 10, 2021). "Beyoncé's Evolution". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  3. ^ Rowley, Glenn (June 15, 2022). "Beyhive Think They've Spotted Another Clue That New Beyoncé Music Is Imminent". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Hughes, William (June 11, 2022). "What Is Beyoncé Trying To Tell Us With Her Elaborate Labyrinth of Clues?!". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Beyonce Is Teasing (Or Trolling) Fans About Her Seventh Album". Uproxx. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "Twitter reacts as Beyoncé's website has placeholders for "What is B7?" and "B8"". REVOLT. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Beyoncé to Release Renaissance in July". Yahoo! News. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (June 15, 2022). "Beyoncé Announces Release Date for New 16-Song Album 'Renaissance'". Complex. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "Beyoncé Officially Announces Her New Studio Album, Act I Renaissance". Vogue Arabia. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Willis, Jackie (June 16, 2022). "Beyoncé to Release Her First Album in 6 Years, 'Renaissance'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (June 30, 2022). "Beyoncé Reveals Artwork for New Album Renaissance". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Mier, Tomás (July 28, 2022). "Beyoncé Hints at More Music While Revealing 'Renaissance' Is First Act of Three-Part Project". Rolling Stone.
  13. ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 28, 2022). "Beyoncé Shares Renaissance Message Ahead of New Album Release". Pitchfork.
  14. ^ Nesta Kupemba, Danai (July 27, 2022). "New Beyoncé album Renaissance is a tribute to her 'fabulous' late gay uncle". PinkNews.
  15. ^ Rock, Audrey (July 29, 2022). "Uncle Jonny: 5 Things To Know About Beyonce's Gay Uncle Who Inspired 'Renaissance'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  16. ^ Darville, Jordan (June 30, 2022). "Beyoncé debuts Renaissance album artwork". The Fader. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "Beyoncé reveals cover art, tracklist for Renaissance". Consequence. July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (June 30, 2022). "Beyoncé Poses atop a Holographic Horse for Her Renaissance Album Cover". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  19. ^ Chan, Anna (July 22, 2022). "Beyonce Drops 2 New Versions of 'Break My Soul,' Reveals 'Renaissance' Vinyl Art". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  20. ^ Kaufman, Gil (June 20, 2022). "Beyonce 'Break My Soul' Single Coming Very Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  21. ^ Aswad, Jem (June 20, 2022). "Beyonce to Release New Single, 'Break My Soul,' at Midnight ET". Variety. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  22. ^ Evans, Greg (June 20, 2022). "Beyoncé Releases New Single 'Break My Soul' A Little Early – Update". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  23. ^ Beyoncé (June 20, 2022). "Break My Soul (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  24. ^ Denis, Kyle (July 14, 2022). "Beyoncé Has Finally Posted Her First TikTok — and It Includes a Cardi B Appearance". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  25. ^ DeLoera, Carlos (July 14, 2022). "Beyoncé finally joins TikTok, bringing all of her music along for the ride". LA Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Schonfeld, Zach (July 14, 2022). "Beyoncé adds entire music catalog to TikTok". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  27. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 14, 2022). "Beyoncé Joins TikTok, Bringing Her Full Music Catalog to the App". Variety. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  28. ^ Rosenblatt, Kalhan (July 14, 2022). "Beyoncé's on TikTok now, and so is her entire musical catalog". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  29. ^ Aswad, Jem (July 27, 2022). "Beyonce's 'Renaissance' Album Leaks Two Days Early". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Renaissance sees Beyoncé reinvent the old and refresh the new". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  31. ^ Mier, Tomás; Mier, Tomás (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Has Officially Arrived". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  32. ^ a b Lyons-Burt, Charles (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé Renaissance Review: A Disco-Trap Journey Where Past and Future Collide". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  33. ^ "6 takeaways from Beyoncé's head-spinning, body-moving 'Renaissance'". Los Angeles Times. July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  34. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé - 'Renaissance' review: a celebration of love and Black joy". NME. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  35. ^ Dukes, Will; Dukes, Will (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé Hits a Seductive Sweet Spot on 'Renaissance'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  36. ^ Denis, Kyle; Denis, Kyle (July 29, 2022). "Every Song Ranked on Beyonce's 'Renaissance': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Beyoncé: Renaissance review | Tara Joshi's album of the week". the Guardian. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Renaissance by Beyoncé Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  39. ^ Hall, James (July 28, 2022). "Beyoncé, Renaissance review: forget the politics and party with this vast superclub of an album". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  40. ^ Joshi, Tara (July 28, 2022). "Beyoncé: Renaissance review – joyous soundtrack to a hot girl summer". The Guardian. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  41. ^ Beaumont, Mark (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé review, Renaissance: Politics gives way to post-pandemic pleasure". The Independent. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  42. ^ Cobbald, David (July 28, 2022). "Renaissance sees Beyoncé reinvent the old and refresh the new". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  43. ^ Williams, Kiann-Sian (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé – 'Renaissance' review: a celebration of love and Black joy". NME. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  44. ^ Dukes, Will (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé Hits a Seductive Sweet Spot on 'Renaissance'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  45. ^ "Critics celebrate Beyoncé's 'unfettered' liberation in new Renaissance album". The Independent. July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  46. ^ "Renaissance by Beyoncé reviews | Any Decent Music". www.anydecentmusic.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  47. ^ Denis, Kyle; Denis, Kyle (July 29, 2022). "Every Song Ranked on Beyonce's 'Renaissance': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  48. ^ Carson, Sarah (July 28, 2022). "Beyoncé's Renaissance is a glorious celebration of the dancefloor". inews.co.uk. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Beyoncé: Renaissance review | Tara Joshi's album of the week". the Guardian. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  50. ^ "Renaissance Is Beyoncé's Rebirth Through Dance Club Culture: Album Review". Consequence. July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  51. ^ "Renaissance by Beyoncé". Parkwood, Columbia. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  52. ^ "Renaissance vinyl – limited edition". shop.beyonce.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Renaissance_(Beyoncé_album)&oldid=1101260709"