The return of the queen. Beyoncé is finally gearing up to release her seventh solo album — and it’s coming much sooner than you think.
The Grammy winner, 40, announced Renaissance on Thursday, June 16, days after fans began speculating that a new project was in the works. The “Drunk in Love” singer had previously wiped her Instagram account, leading observers to guess that she would soon start promoting a new album. Her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, also “liked” an Instagram post about an art change on Beyoncé’s website.
The Texas native’s last solo studio album was Lemonade, which debuted in April 2016. She later released 2018’s Everything Is Love with her husband, Jay-Z, following it up with two projects in 2019: her Homecoming live album and The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Kendrick Lamar, Burna Boy, Childish Gambino and more.
After the “Formation” songstress announced Renaissance, fans realized that she may have dropped a hint about the album’s title more than one year prior.
The return of the queen. Beyoncé is finally gearing up to release her seventh solo album — and it’s coming much sooner than you think.
The Grammy winner, 40, announced Renaissance on Thursday, June 16, days after fans began speculating that a new project was in the works. The “Drunk in Love” singer had previously wiped her Instagram account, leading observers to guess that she would soon start promoting a new album. Her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, also “liked” an Instagram post about an art change on Beyoncé’s website.
The Texas native’s last solo studio album was Lemonade, which debuted in April 2016. She later released 2018’s Everything Is Love with her husband, Jay-Z, following it up with two projects in 2019: her Homecoming live album and The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Kendrick Lamar, Burna Boy, Childish Gambino and more.
After the “Formation” songstress announced Renaissance, fans realized that she may have dropped a hint about the album’s title more than one year prior.
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“With all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love and laugh again,” Beyoncé told Harper’s Bazaar in August 2021, answering a question about when listeners could expect new music. “I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible. I’ve been in the studio for a year and a half.”
The Renaissance reveal also came with a major surprise: a release date. Beyoncé famously dropped her self-titled fifth album in December 2013 with no warning, then debuted Lemonade via an HBO special that was shrouded in secrecy before its release. (Renaissance is set to drop on July 29.)
“We haven’t had an official release date from Beyonce since 24th July 2011,” tweeted one fan, referring to the pop icon’s fourth album, 4. “Y’all don’t understand how seeing that 29 July has me feeling.”
Another Twitter user added: “Beyoncé doing pre orders, foreshadowing and actually ANNOUNCING a release date … she’s coming for BLOOD.”
Aside from the release date, however, the “Halo” singer revealed very few details about what Renaissance will sound like. In a British Vogue cover story published the same day as the album announcement, editor in chief Edward Enninful offered readers a brief tease at what he heard during his interview with the Oscar nominee.
“Instantly, a wall of sound hits me,” he wrote. “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.”
Keep scrolling for more details on Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
What’s It Called?
Beyoncé’s seventh solo album is titled Renaissance. The cover art wasn’t revealed, but fans are already able to preorder the CD in a collectible box that also includes a T-shirt and a mini poster.
What’s the Release Date?
Renaissance is set to hit stores and streaming services on Friday, July 29.
Are There Any Guests?
Beyoncé hasn’t shared any details about whether the album will include any featured performers. While she often collaborates with her husband, the “99 Problems” rapper didn’t appear on Lemonade (though he did work on The Lion King: The Gift).
What Has She Said About It?
“Sometimes it takes a year for me to personally search through thousands of sounds to find just the right kick or snare,” the “XO” crooner told Harper’s Bazaar last year. “One chorus can have up to 200 stacked harmonies. Still, there’s nothing like the amount of love, passion and healing that I feel in the recording studio. After 31 years, it feels just as exciting as it did when I was 9 years old. Yes, the music is coming!”
In the British Vogue cover story, Enninful noted that the creation had been “a long process … with the pandemic giving her far longer to spend thinking and rethinking every decision.”
How Many Songs Does It Have?
According to pre-save info from Tidal, Renaissance will have 16 tracks.
Is There a Part 2?
All of the Renaissance promo released on June 16 referred to the album as “act i.” After the album dropped on July 29, the “Blow” songstress confirmed that Renaissance is the first part of a trilogy, with “act ii” and “act iii” to come later. “This three act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic,” she wrote in a statement on her website. “A time to be still, but also a time I found to be the most creative. Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world.”
The 1st Single
On June 20, Beyoncé announced that Renaissance‘s first single, “Break My Soul,” will debut at 12 a.m. ET on June 21. Her reveal included the number “6,” seemingly implying that the song is the sixth track on the album
Mom Approves
Knowles-Lawson gushed about the album during a June 18 interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I’m a fan too. I’m very, very excited,” she said. “I’m as excited as everybody else. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. She put two years of love into this. Many, many nights [she spent] all night working. I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
The Album Art
The “Kitty Kat” songstress unveiled the Renaissance album art via Instagram in June 2022. The striking image shows the pop icon riding astride a horse designed to look like a disco ball. “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” she wrote of her new music. “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 judgment. 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.”
The Track List
One week ahead of the release date, Beyoncé announced the full track list (below) and composer credits for Renaissance.
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
It’s not clear whether there are any features, but writing, production and sample credits include Jay-Z, The-Dream, Giorgio Moroder, Skrillex, Nile Rodgers, Donna Summer and Teena Marie.
Did Beyoncé Sample a Track Without Permission?
One day prior to the album’s release, Kelis claimed that the “Formation” singer used a sample of her 1999 hit “Get Along With You” without permission.
“My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding,” the “Milkshake” singer said via Instagram at the time. “I heard about this the same way everyone else did. Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled.”
The Pitch Battle judge then expanded on why using the track was so offensive, saying, “It’s not about me being jealous. It has to do with the fact that, from one artist to another, you should have the decency and common sense and the courtesy to call.”
The New York native, who insisted the sample was “not a collab” because she “wasn’t informed,” captioned the social media post: “There are [bullies][sic] and secrets and gangsters in this industry that smile and get away with it until someone says enough is enough.”
The Leak
After the full album leaked two days before its official release, Beyoncé thanked her fans for waiting till July 29 to listen. “So, the album leaked and you all actually waited until the proper release time so you all can enjoy it together,” she wrote in a message shared on her website. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t thank y’all enough for your love and protection. I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. It means the world to me.”
