Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Album Breakdown: The Pinnacle of Dance Music Innovation

Beyoncé’s albums are always significant events. Whether they’re dropped as surprises or announced in advance, her releases have a profound impact on the pop music scene. Despite their massive influence, her music remains deeply personal, drawing listeners into her artistic and emotional world.

Renaissance, Beyoncé’s seventh solo studio album and her first solo work in six years, showcases this duality both in its structure and its effect. The album features 16 tracks that traverse different generations, celebrating the club experience. It moves through various genres, referencing iconic dance hits that have dominated nightclubs, warehouses, and makeshift dance spaces for years. The lyrics offer glimpses into Beyoncé’s personal journey, with themes of seeking love and feeling underestimated, contrasted with confident expressions inspired by artists like Big Freedia and Kilo Ali.

The album impresses with its blend of styles, combining Miami bass, space-funk, gospel, Detroit techno, and psychedelic soul into a cohesive and surprising mix. Some tracks are multi-tempo, feeling like their own mega-mixes. The standout track, "Pure/Honey," serves as a masterclass in ball culture, sampling figures like DJ MikeQ, voguing pioneer Kevin Aviance, and drag legend Moi Renee, and transitions into a glittering disco hit.

Beyoncé mentioned that she created and recorded Renaissance over the past two years to find escape during a challenging period. While it might seem unusual to set a pandemic album in a nightclub context, it makes sense given the way dance floors bring people together, each experiencing the music uniquely.

For its 62-minute duration, Renaissance invites listeners to dive into its ever-changing tracks. Beyoncé chose not to release videos for each song, which emphasizes the album's focus on losing oneself in the music. Its powerful percussion encourages listeners to let go of tension or embrace it, as seen in the empowering track "Cozy," where Beyoncé celebrates self-love and acceptance.

Since her debut solo single "Work It Out" from Austin Powers in Goldmember in 2002, Beyoncé has been educating audiences about Black music history through a contemporary pop lens. Renaissance starts with a sample from late Memphis hip-hop legend Princess Loko, setting the stage for Beyoncé’s triumph over any obstacles. Although only a few collaborators, such as Beam, Tems, and Grace Jones, take prominent roles, the album features a wide range of contributors including The-Dream, The Neptunes, Syd, and Skrillex, as well as influences from artists like Teena Marie and Robin S.

The extensive list of samples, references, and collaborations in Renaissance serves as a curriculum on the evolution of dance music during Beyoncé’s lifetime. The album's title track, "Summer Renaissance," not only marks its release in a summer approaching normalcy but also pays tribute to Donna Summer, with her classic track "I Feel Love" at its core. Even though it’s August, Beyoncé’s album is an educational experience in dance music.