What we know about Beyoncé’s upcoming “RENAISSANCE” album
As Beyoncé’s album approaches, the anticipation has only grown!
Following the announcement of her upcoming album, Renaissance, Beyoncé has slowly revealed details from her album. Here’s everything we know:
Soon after the album was announced, Variety reported that the record will feature both “dance and country-leaning” tracks. British Vogue’s Editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, became one of the very first people to experience the new album, describing “soaring vocals and fierce beats” that transported him “back to the clubs of his youth” in the late ’80s and ’90s.
The cover of the album (an art piece itself) depicts Queen B almost naked on a disco horse. It is a clear to Bianca Jagger’s iconic Studio 54 arrival on horseback as well as the Renaissance painting, Lady Godiva. This alone tells us that the album will be disco infused with many references to the New York ballroom scene. We have already seen with her lead single, Break My Soul, Beyoncé dips into a confection of house and disco.
Beyoncé’s album announcement came with a label: “act i”. Multiple rumors swirled with a Beyoncé double album being the most popular theory. However, it was later confirmed that the album will be a trilogy (yes, that means we’ll be getting a total of 3 albums!). However “Renaissance act i” has been revealed to have 16 tracks:
“I’m That Girl”
“Cozy”
“Alien Superstar”
“Cuff It”
“Energy”
“Break My Soul”
“Church Girl”
“Plastic Off the Sofa”
“Virgo’s Groove”
“Move”
“Heated”
“Thique”
“All Up in Your Mind”
“America Has a Problem”
“Pure/Honey”
“Summer Renaissance”
Following the tracklist reveal, Beyoncé also unveiled the credits for each track which kept fans up trying to figure out everything from the features to the sound of each song. Producers on the album include Honey Dijon who worked on the tracks “Cozy” & “Alien Superstar”, Skrillex & Pharrell Williams who worked on “ENERGY”, and JAY-Z who worked on “America Has A Problem” & “Alien Superstar”. Drake is also credited for the track “HEATED”.
The iconic Donna Summer is credited on “Summer Renaissance” which fans think includes a sample. In addition, it has been confirmed that “Church Girl” samples “Center Thy Will” by The Clark Sisters. The track “Pure'/Honey” will also sample drag queen Moi Renee.
“Alien Superstar” is being predicted to be the next single off the album. According to Metro UK: “Everyone lost their minds when we heard Alien Superstar. That’s the one we all think is going to take off after Break My Soul.”
On July 22, Beyoncé shared a video, revealing the album’s vinyl edition. With it came the full list of features — BEAM has been conformed to feature on “Energy,” while Tems and Grace Jones show up on “Move.”
Beyoncé also receives executive production credit on the album.
Renaissance act i will be released Friday, July 29th.