Music

Beyoncé drops new album Renaissance and the verdict is in: ‘The gays keep winning’

Beyonce with her hands above her head

Beyonce’s Renaissance is here (Parkwood)

Beyoncé dropped her seventh studio album Renaissance dropped at midnight, and it’s already got the gays, girls and theys in a chokehold.

Iconically, Renaissance is the first of a three act project – meaning we’re just at the beginning of a glorious Beyoncé era.

Following in the footsteps of her critically acclaimed Lemonade, the new Beyoncé album sees her once again pushing the boundaries of musical mastery. 

Renaissance is dance-inspired, pulling from ‘70s disco-funk, soul, ‘90s R&B, House, Afrohouse and more. It even ends with a stunning Donna Summer interpolation for good measure.

Joyous, upbeat and slick (seriously, those transitions), every song inspires you to boogie the day and night away, to love yourself and your body.

Beyoncé collaborated and sampled a host of queer and trans Black artists including Big Freedia, TS Madison, Honey Dijon, Sad, Moi Renee, MikeQ and Kevin Aviance.

Of course, the internet is in full agreement: Renaissance is the album of the year.

“#RENAISSANCE is a good ass album. Like, very good. Beyoncé is experimenting without losing herself and her sound. The vocals are amazing. The songs are intention. The transitions are seamless. She took her time to her this one right,” one fan wrote.

Another added: “Beyoncé… these transitions, the vocals, the beats, the cocky lyrics. The Vogue and this only Act ONE.”

“Beyoncé has given us excellence, 80s meets retro, basking in the sun while sipping endlessly on cocktails, shimmering disco lights reflecting on our bodies as we shake dat ass. She’s giving us the total package,” wrote one fan. 

And as one person neatly summed it up: “She is truly an architect of sound, working on a GENIUS level to concoct sonic brilliance like a mad scientist.”

 

The album has already reached number one on US iTunes and is in the top 100 of Apple Music in more than 100 countries around the world.

In her album dedication, the Queen wrote: “This three act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic. 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. 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.”

Accompanying to the dedication is a rare photo of Beyoncé with her children, Rumi, Sir and Blue and an old photo of her with her Uncle Jonny.

“I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir and Blue, “ she continued, “for allowing me the space, creativity and inspiration and a special thanks to me beautiful husband and muse who held me down during those late nights in the studio.

“A big thank you to my Uncle Jonny. He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album.

“Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognised for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”

The Beyhive  rallied around Beyoncé, after an album leak two days early threatened to ruin her epic drop. 

Beyoncé posted a special message thanking fans for not listening to the leak, saying: “I can’t thank you 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.”

She also released an 17 second ‘album cover’ video alongside an official lyric video for each song.

As we wait for act two and three to drop, things can only go up from here.

Register to save articles and more. It'll only take a minute and it's free.
JOIN US TODAY!