Renaissance

We all know Beyoncé, but have you listened to her new album? Whether you have or haven’t, let’s discuss. The genre of Renaissance is house music, disco-centric, or pop whatever you want to call it. This is Beyoncé’s second studio album since her 2016 bombshell ‘Lemonade.’ There are 16 songs with an average of 3 minutes and 30 seconds in each piece, rounding Renaissance out to an hour and two minutes. Renaissance is a feel-good body of work, with many samples such as “Still Pimpin’’” by Tommy Wright featuring princess Loko, some drums, now removed, from Kelis’ “Milkshake”, and “Ooh la la la” by Teena Marie, just to name a few.

Aside from the samples in Renaissance, there are many black pop culture and ballroom references. From figures like TS Madison, Big Freeida, and many other prominent figures in black pop culture. Now speaking of the album, itself. The beats are refreshing and aren’t played out, they are not like many other songs already out. The tempos are greatly placed, and the album flows together smoothly. The cadences are done very specifically, and everything is meticulously placed and excellently blended. Without a doubt this is an album made to dance to, there aren’t many songs I see as songs made to have played in the background. When you hear a song from this album you feel a sort of groove possess you, let it be a full-on dance or head bop, you must groove.  Renaissance has a flirty, fun, provocative sense to it.

Renaissance has few downbeats to it, and in typical Beyoncé fashion there are no interludes, the music speaks for itself. I feel this is Beyoncé’s least personal album and without question, Renaissance is for the Beyhive and all that just needs a dance break. My favorite song from the album is “Summer renaissance.” An analysis of the song has led me to the assumption that it is inspired by “I feel love” by Donna Summers. This is a slower track, I’m assuming it blends into ‘Act II’ which is coming soon. What do you think of Renaissance?