Beyoncé’ s 'Renaissance' Is Here, And All 16 Tracks Have Lyric Videos
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Is it too soon to announce the best new album of 2022? Maybe so, but now that Beyoncé has officially returned to the airwaves, we can all bet good money that her seventh studio album will top the charts within hours of its drop—and all the best-of lists to follow. Unlike with her earlier surprise album releases, Queen B allowed fans to gird their loins a little early by sharing the July 29 release date for her newest record, Renaissance, weeks in advance. Below, everything we know about the news stirring up the Beyhive.
When did Renaissance come out?
The album dropped on midnight EST on July 29 and is available to stream on Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other music platforms. Superfans can also purchase one of four box sets, which include a decorative box, T-shirt, and CD of Renaissance. (Yes, they still exist.)
Listen here:
What kind of music does Renaissance feature?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, multiple reports “suggest” that the new release will feature 16 tracks and be a multi-part album, given the “Act I” title tied to the announcement.
Other reports seem to suggest the album will feature Beyoncé’s beloved mix of hip-hop, R&B, and disco. In her June 2022 cover story for British Vogue, Beyoncé was quoted only twice—and never about her upcoming music—but writer and EIC Edward Enninful did have a chance to hear Renaissance and described the project as such:
Instantly, a wall of sound hits me. Soaring vocals and fierce beats combine and in a split second I’m transported back to the clubs of my youth. I want to get up and start throwing moves. It’s music I love to my core. Music that makes you rise, that turns your mind to cultures and subcultures, to our people past and present, music that will unite so many on the dance floor, music that touches your soul. As ever with Beyoncé, it is all about the intent. I sit back, after the wave, absorbing it all.
Hours after the British Vogue feature landed, Variety reported that “a source familiar with the project” had more insight to share. Apparently, Renaissance will feature “both dance and country-leaning tracks” and include songwriting credits from Ryan Tedder, who wrote Beyoncé’s earlier hit “Halo,” and Raphael Saadiq.
What was Beyoncé’s inspiration for the album?
Bey is keeping details about the record close to the vest, but she did open up about her intention behind the work in an Instagram post on June 30.
“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration. I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”
What are the tracks on Renaissance?
The first single, “Break My Soul,” dropped on June 20 to much fanfare. Beyoncé later revealed the full track list (16 songs!) on her Instagram Story on July 20. See the full lineup here, including lyric videos that Bey dropped hours after the album premiered.
1. I’m That Girl
2. Cozy
3. Alien Superstar
4. Cuff It
5. Energy
6. Break My Soul
7. Church Girl
8. Plastic Off the Sofa
9. Virgo’s Groove
10. Move
11. Heated
12. Thique
13. All Up in Your Mind
14. America Has a Problem
15. Pure/Honey
16. Summer Renaissance
This post will be updated.
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