A new Beyoncé album is always a big deal. Whether it’s a surprise drop or a highly anticipated release, her music always makes waves in the pop world. But beyond the headlines and the buzz, her albums are deeply personal, inviting listeners into her artistic and emotional world while giving us a glimpse of her journey.
Renaissance, her seventh solo studio album and her first in six years, perfectly captures this balance. The album takes us on a journey through 16 tracks that blend different genres, celebrating the energy of the dance floor. It’s a nod to the power of club culture, with its thumping beats and genre-hopping sounds. But it’s also a window into Beyoncé’s emotional landscape, with lyrics that hint at her personal struggles—wanting love, feeling underestimated—while also embracing moments of confidence and power. She draws inspiration from bounce music, hip-hop, and a bit of braggadocio, which makes for a bold and unique sound.
Musically, Renaissance is a brilliant mix of styles: from Miami bass and spacey funk to gospel harmonies, Detroit techno, and psychedelic soul. Some tracks feel like mini-epic mixes, shifting tempos and genres as they go. A standout is Pure/Honey, which fuses ball culture with disco, sampling drag legends and voguing pioneers like MikeQ, Kevin Aviance, and Moi Renee, before transforming into a glittering dance anthem.
Beyoncé has said she created Renaissance during the past two years, a time when the world felt uncertain. The album became her escape, a way to feel free and adventurous during a tough period. And while it may seem strange to set a “pandemic album” in a nightclub, it actually makes sense. The dance floor, after all, is a place where people come together, sharing the same beat, even if each person’s experience is different. Music has that personal power, hitting us all in different ways.
For 62 minutes, Renaissance offers a space for listeners to get lost in its rhythm. The album’s heavy percussion draws us in, helping us let go of tension—or even embrace it, as on the empowering track Cozy, where Beyoncé declares she’s proud of her scars and the strength they represent. There are reflections on pain and struggle throughout, but they’re always balanced by the album’s constant forward motion.
Since her debut single Work It Out in 2002, Beyoncé has been blending Black music history with the sounds of contemporary pop. Renaissance kicks off with a sample from the late Memphis hip-hop legend Princess Loko, setting the stage for Beyoncé’s triumphant return. The album features a mix of big-name collaborators like Tems, Grace Jones, and Beam, alongside fresh talent like Syd and Skrillex, and includes samples from soul and dance music icons like Teena Marie and Robin S.
Renaissance is a master class in the evolution of dance music, touching on sounds and influences that span Beyoncé’s lifetime. In an era where music history is just a click away, it’s a brilliant snapshot of how far dance music has come—and how Beyoncé has shaped that journey. The album’s closing track, Summer Renaissance, both celebrates the summer release and nods to disco queen Donna Summer, with her iconic I Feel Love providing the track’s backbone. It’s a powerful reminder that, even in 2024, Beyoncé continues to be a force in music.
Renaissance is out now, and it’s an album worth experiencing from start to finish.
