Is it too soon to announce the best new album of 2022? Maybe so, but now that Beyoncé has officially returned to the airwaves, we can all bet good money that her seventh studio album will top the charts within hours of its drop—and all the best-of lists to follow. Unlike with her earlier surprise album releases, Queen B allowed fans to gird their loins a little early by sharing the July 29 release date for her newest record, Renaissance, weeks in advance. Below, everything we know about the news stirring up the Beyhive.
When does Renaissance come out?
The album dropped on midnight EST on July 29 and is available to stream on Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other music platforms. Superfans can also purchase one of four box sets, which include a decorative box, T-shirt, and CD of Renaissance. (Yes, they still exist.)
Listen here:
What kind of music will Renaissance feature?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, multiple reports “suggest” that the new release will feature 16 tracks and be a multi-part album, given the “Act I” title tied to the announcement.
Other reports seem to suggest the album will feature Beyoncé’s beloved mix of hip-hop, R&B, and disco. In her June 2022 cover story for British Vogue, Beyoncé was quoted only twice—and never about her upcoming music—but writer and EIC Edward Enniful did have a chance to hear Renaissance and described the project as such:
Instantly, a wall of sound hits me. 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. It’s music I love to my core. 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. As ever with Beyoncé, it is all about the intent. I sit back, after the wave, absorbing it all.
Hours after the British Vogue feature landed, Variety reported that “a source familiar with the project” had more insight to share. Apparently, Renaissance will feature “both dance and country-leaning tracks” and include songwriting credits from Ryan Tedder, who wrote Beyoncé’s earlier hit “Halo,” and Raphael Saadiq.
What was Beyoncé’s inspiration for the album?
Bey is keeping details about the record close to the vest, but she did open up about her intention behind the work in an Instagram post on June 30.
“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. 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.”
What are the tracks featured on Renaissance?
The first single, “Break My Soul,” dropped on June 20 to much fanfare. Beyoncé later revealed the full track list (16 songs!) on her Instagram Story on July 20. See the full lineup here:
- 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
We’re hoping at least one of these songs is a Blue Ivy collab. She’s now a Grammy winner like her mother, after all!
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This post will be updated.
Lauren Puckett-Pope is an associate editor at ELLE, where she covers news and culture.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.
