Image via Parkwood Entertainment
Get ready, because Beyoncé is making her return on July 29.
In June, she reemerged on social media and announced the impending arrival of her seventh studio album, Renaissance, which will mark her first solo release since 2016’s Lemonade. While that album addressed the highs and lows of her marriage and family, it seems the new project will usher in a new sound that’ll get people out of their seats (and onto the dance floor).
Gearing up for the new album, Beyoncé recently treated the Hive to a preview of the project with its lead single, “Break My Soul.” The new anthem includes vocals from Big Freedia and samples Robin S’ iconic dance song “Show Me Love.” It’s been praised as a fun and electric single that will bring you to the dance floor, while also including messages that resonate with the hardships of society that many people are feeling today.
The Queen is very secretive when it comes to her music, but after searching the internet, we were able to draw some clues about what to expect on the forthcoming album. Here are some clues about the direction of Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
It was created to provide “escape” and “release”
Renaissance will arrive after a tumultuous few years, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as political and social unrest. “With all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again,” Beyonce told Harper’s Bazaar in August 2021. “I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible.” On Instagram this summer, she also noted that this album was created as a way to escape, writing, “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.”
There might be multiple parts
We could be hearing a lot more from Beyoncé in the coming months, because there’s reason to believe she’ll be dropping more music after July 29. Back in June, she teased on her social media accounts that Renaissance would be “act i.” It’s unclear how many acts will follow or when they will be released, but it seems what arrives on July 29 might just be the beginning.
It will make you want to dance
According to Apple Music, Renaissance will be listed as a pop album, but the lead single “Break My Soul” also suggests Beyoncé will be exploring house music. British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Wnninful listened to the album as part of a July 2022 cover story and described it as “music that makes you rise, that turns your mind to cultures and subcultures, to our people past and present, music that will unite so many on the dance floor, music that touches your soul.” In a note to her fans on social media, Beyoncé shared her hopes of fans finding joy in the album, writing, “I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle.”
There could be some country influences, too
A source close to Beyoncé’s camp tells Varietythat the album will also include “country-leaning tracks,” in addition to dance songs. While Beyoncé has not confirmed the news herself, her recent press photos have led many fans to speculate this album will be inspired by country music. Both shoots for Harper’s Bazaar’s August 2021 and British Vogue’s July 2022 issues include images of Beyoncé mounting stallions. She has also been featured wearing items from the Ivy Park Rodeo collection.
The cover art suggests a disco vibe
On June 30, 2022, Beyoncé unveiled the album’s cover art, in which she was depicted wearing a chain bodysuit and seated atop a glowing, holographic horse. The image exudes imagery of western and disco culture, and some have likened the cover art to similar equestrian images of Biance Jagger at Studio54 in 1977.
She’s been working on the album for over two years
It’s unclear when exactly Beyoncé started working on this album, but it sounds like it has been coming together over the course of multiple years. In Harper’s Bazaar, Beyoncé stated that she had “been in the studio for a year and a half,” and that interview took place a year ago. She also spoke about her recording process, saying, “Sometimes it takes a year for me to personally search through thousands of sounds to find just the right kick or snare. One chorus can have up to 200 stacked harmonies.”
It has 16 songs and there will be four collectible box sets (and other merch)
According to the pre-order information on streaming services like Apple Music, Renaissance will include a total of 16 songs. There will also be four collectible box sets and other merchandise available for purchase. The merch and box sets are all available on Beyoncé’s website. Each of the sets vary in price and include one or more of the following: a CD, vinyl record, or t-shirt. Unfortunately, many of the box sets are already sold out.