Beyonce Renaissance

2022 - 7 - 29

Beyoncé releases seventh album, 'Renaissance' (NPR)

More than six years after the lauded visual album Lemonade, Beyoncé returns, evolves and responds to a very different world.

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Beyoncé's Renaissance has begun (The A.V. Club)

"Act I" of Beyoncé's seventh studio album, recorded over the last three years of pandemic life, has just gone live.

Really, what could say “I desire a release from ennui” like riding through the universe on a horse made out of the galaxy brain meme? Said themes include a general desire for freedom, escape, joy, and other reliefs from the monotony that we imagine gets down even those of us who happen to be Beyoncé; of course, you didn’t really need us to lay that out for you, since all those ideas are perfectly encapsulated in the album’s cover. More specifically, she’s released Renaissance: Act I, but since this thing is 16 tracks long, we’re going to go ahead and take it as qutie a bit more than a prologue.

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' album: Unapologetic and raunchy as she ... (USA TODAY)

Beyoncé's seventh album, "Renaissance," is a 16-song opus that delves into sex and self-worth, all while beckoning listeners onto the dance floor.

“Summer Renaissance”: Beyoncé wraps her ambitious opus with a nod to Donna Summer as a sample of “I Feel Love” swirls in the background. “Plastic Off the Sofa”: Beyoncé’s tremendous vocals are showcased in this pretty package of soulful nostalgia that cools down the tempo with woozy guitar strains and angelic backing vocals. “Energy”: A spicy banger that features Jamaican rapper Beam and samples Kelis’ 1999 song “Get Along With You,” which has incited some controversy. “America Has a Problem”: The most intriguingly titled song on the album includes production from The-Dream, a co-write by husband Jay-Z and a jittery hi-hat powering the production. “Move”: With guests Grace Jones (!) and Nigerian singer Tems backing her, Beyoncé is strident and fierce. “Alien Superstar”: Synthesizers creep in the background of this futuristic romp that is lyrically rich and musically zigzagging.

Beyoncé's Renaissance: fans and critics react to one of the year's ... (The Guardian)

The artist's first record since Lemonade has been met with a blockbuster response – and a spot of controversy.

In a Guardian interview from 2020, Kelis claimed she was “blatantly lied to and tricked” by her early collaborators the Neptunes and, as a result, “made nothing from sales of her first two albums”. In a Vulture interview earlier this year, Hugo brushed off the comments: “I heard about her sentiment toward that. House musician Robin S, whose track Show Me Love is sampled in Beyoncé’s Break My Soul, has said she was also unaware of the usage before the single’s release – though she received the news more positively. “I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early.” “I can’t thank y’all enough for your love and protection,” she said. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom.”

Beyoncé - 'Renaissance' review: a celebration of love and Black joy (NME.com)

The superstar's first studio album in six years is indebted to house music and New Orleans bounce, keenly reclaiming gentrified genres.

‘Renaissance’ does precisely what it says on the tin; the revival of Black classics, and she makes sure a lot of love goes into that. The finest arrives on ‘Moves’ where an icon ( Grace Jones) meets a newcomer ( Tems); here, a bassline synonymous with afro-centric music encourages everyone to join the as a bolshy Jones says she’ll “bruk a bitch, bruk up / Fumble like we ’bout to come up”. Then, it’s Tems’ turn to shine with her brief interlude asking: “Who this girl in the back of the room? ‘Renaissance’, her seventh studio album, marks the sound of an artist refreshed: this is her most relentlessly upbeat and fun record yet, one where she explores love, friendship and relationships across 16 spellbinding tracks.

Beyoncé Releases New Album Renaissance: Listen and Read the ... (Pitchfork)

Queen Bey's long-awaited follow-up to Lemonade features contributions from Jay-Z, Drake, Skrillex, Grace Jones, 070 Shake, and more.

In addition to a diverse cast of co-composers, Renaissance interpolates music written by Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder (“ I Feel Love” on “Summer Romance,”) James Brown (on “Church Girl”), Teena Marie, and others. I will continue to give you all my all and do my best to bring you joy. I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. The largely featureless record does include two songs with guest vocalists: Jamaica-born, Miami-raised reggae artist Beam appears on “Energy,” while Grace Jones and Tems lend their voices to “Move.” Listen to Renaissance in full below.