by Beyoncé
Released July 29, 2022 via Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Reviewed August 8, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
VIRGO’S GROOVE (50%), ALIEN SUPERSTAR (42%), BREAK MY SOUL (38%)
A renaissance is a revival and renewal of art, history, and culture. In the case of Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, RENAISSANCE is a celebration of the ever-evolving sounds of Black expression. In it, a nexus of groundbreaking legacies sprawl along its samples, writing, and production credits. Despite its many moving parts, RENAISSANCE transitions smoothly and dynamically, minute by minute, track by track. Frankly, RENAISSANCE is a mainstream level masterclass in sampling, one that highlights the ubiquitous influence Black and queer culture has had on the genres it combines. What could easily become a conceptual hodgepodge of sounds and ideas is executed with class, once again separating Beyoncé’s legacy from her contemporaries, as she aligns herself with the progenitors of modern music. – DeVán (9/10)
Henny: 9.3/10 | DeVán: 9/10 | Jacques: 9/10 | Pablo: 9/10 | Alan: 8.8/10
Dominick: 8.3/10 | Jared: 8/10 | Pax: 8/10 | Cam: 7.3/10 | Daniel: 7/10
Community Reviews:
She consistently beats the only real competition she has, which is herself.” An absolute dance music masterpiece, RENAISSANCE reaches out to decades of Black queer music history to create a timeless classic that will be played in lounges, clubs, and parties for as long as we’re alive. – @dondraperiii (9.5/10)
