Beyonc Renaissance Album Review: Every Track Ranked
Ever since Beyoncé released Renaissance, we've been desperate to glean the music videos Beyoncé would grace us with. That feeling you get, waiting for the release of a new Beyoncé album or music video is, in my mind, like being an expectant parent awaiting the birth of your child: What will it look like? What will its first words be? What if I don’t like it? I’m supposed to love it. What if it’s nothing like I expect?
Actual parents will be rolling their eyes at this comparison, but I’m sticking with it. Because that’s how I felt as the clock struck midnight, welcoming in the 29th July, 2022 – as a true fan, I obviously ignored the early leak and waited until the correct time to listen to the record we’ve been waiting years for. And you’re not telling me that hearing the sweet, honeylicious Texan drawl of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter isn’t as beautiful as that first, pure newborn cry. And now, as she marks her 41st birthday and hints are dropping that she's releasing a visual album movie, I'm re-listening to it all over again.
By now, I’ve had a few hours to get to know Beyonce’s newest baby (not Blue, not Sir, not even Rumi – I’m talking about act i, Renaissance) and I have thoughts. So. Many. Thoughts
To sum it up: it’s a banger. Like, the sort of album that gets all up inside you and makes you feel like a beautiful, sexual, celestial wonder being – even when it’s the middle of the night and you’re lying in bed in your pyjamas with a thick layer of face cream smeared all over your skin, as I may or may not have been. If last year was all about the hot girl summer, then consider this the soundtrack to the goddess era.
After all this time spent cooped up, these are songs to dance to; they make you want to move. Even the cover artwork tells us that: people keep referencing Lady Godiva strolling around town naked on a horse – and yes, that level of self-confidence is a huge part of this album. But I’m also seeing Bianca Jagger, who was rumoured to have ridden into the iconic Studio 54 club on a horse back in the day. With this album, Bey is bringing back the age of clubbing – and we’re all going to be ready to follow suit.
This is a record that sneaks up on you and slaps you across the face at the same time (in a good way, of course). It’s a grower for sure. It comes with a real sense of urgency: the beats are fast, the bass is heavy – at times, Bey is even shouting the lyrics at you. It’s like the music was bursting out of her. But then, in true Queen B style, she sneaks in her disco references, her gospel, her soul. It constantly keeps you guessing, and obviously wanting more.
I won’t lie, I missed the power ballads. The slow, sexy R&B beats. Is there an Irreplaceable on there? No. But some of the tracks are reminiscent of the old days, just brought into the now with a wiser, more confident perspective. So don’t worry, even if this isn’t the kind of music you’d expect to hear from Beyoncé, her ever-empowering message is still there. And listening to this album will make you feel good.
So, here it is. Beyoncé’s act i: Renaissance track list, from best to worst (though, let’s be real, asking me to rank them is like asking me to choose my favourite child). I will say you should listen to this album in order (Adele did have a point) and experience the seamless segues from one track to the next. You don’t realise one has finished before another begins, so each shift in melody/beat comes as a welcome surprise. It’s a total mood.
So sit back, relax, and prepare for the Beyoncé experience…
Track 15: Pure/Honey
I didn’t like the first 30 seconds of this one. And then it grew on me. And grew some more. And then, the song flipped, and I was solved. It’s one of two halves, with Pure being a pure club track , the kind of song you’d double time to in a spin class (a niche reference, but if you know, you know). And then Honey kicks in and Oh. My. Goodness. Soulful, beautiful vocals that very nearly distract you from lyrics that are pure filth. Obsessed.
Track 8: Plastic Off The Sofa
This is a vibe. Soulful vocals, super sexy, with a baseline that makes your hips move without you realising. It’s the kind of song I want to put on while getting ready for a night out, as I’m pouring myself a cocktail while wearing a silk robe with rollers in my hair. It’s old school made new.
Track 16: Summer Renaissance
A closing anthem that I basically clapped along to while sat listening to this album on my own. A cool image, I know. It’s a tune. Her vocals are insane, and it samples the one and only Donna Summer’s I Feel Love. Need I say more?
Track 4: Cuff It
This is one of my favourites, for sure. There’s an instant disco vibe to this one. It’s so sexual – I mean, the lyrics are ‘I wanna sit on top of you.’ It’s kind of like the older sister to Blow (from the Beyoncé album). Perfect vocals, and one I can’t wait to sing along (badly) to at her next concert/in the club/probably just in my shower.
Track 2: Cozy
I’ll try to get past the US spelling of ‘cosy’ here, because this is a great one. All about loving yourself, who you are and being unapologetic about it – one for the morning commute to build you up for the day. TikTokers are going to love it – I feel like we’re about to see people mouthing to ‘cozy, I love me’ very soon, so maybe get a few listens in now before the inevitable overexposure.
Track 7: Church Girl
This is not what you expect. Thinking this is going to be an ode to Bey’s innocent church days as a child? Well, when she tells you to ‘drop it like a thotty’, you might be a little surprised. But in the very best way – as she points out, you can be a church girl and still get down.
Track 12: Thique
For me, this is the evolution of Bootylicious. It’s gone from Beyoncé not thinking we’re ready for her jelly to her basically saying, ‘This is my jelly and it’s here, whether you like it or not.’ Listen to it and be prepared to instantly love your body.
Track 9: Virgo’s Groove
Jay Z, we know this one’s for you. It’s a song about being so in love you almost feel high, and then… well, you know. It’s about that kind of groove, too. Whatever Mr Carter is doing, clearly it’s something right.
Track 6: Break My Soul
Nobody expected this track to be so high up this list less than me. I’ll be honest, I didn’t like it when I heard it as a single. But, listened to within the context of an album, I love it. It takes me back to the days spent underage in clubs on a revolving dancefloor with a blue VK in hand, in the very best way. This song is proof Beyoncé can save us from the daily grind – though maybe take five before you follow its lyrics exactly and quit your job, yeah?
Track 10: Move
This one takes me back to the Jumpin’ Jumpin’ days. Bey tells us ‘me and my girlfriends came out to play’ and it makes you desperate to dance along with them. It also features the legend that is Grace Jones. What more does a dance track need?!
Track 5: Energy
The title says it all here. You can tell our girl had a good time recording this one. Probably cracked open a few bottles of Ace of Spades and went to town – there’s a real thick beat that you can’t help but dance along to.
Track 3: Alien Superstar
This is… different. There’s almost a techno vibe to this song. But wait for that melody to kick in and you’ll be all over it. It’s like a Berlin rave in a disused power plant meets a glittering disco club where all the cocktails are fancy and come topped with cherries. Does this make any sense? Probably not, but give it a listen and you’ll see what I mean.
Track 1: I’m That Girl
Fittingly, this opening number sets the tone for the whole album. Baddie Bey is back and not to be messed with. There’s her straight-up Texan drawl, followed by the beat, and, finally, we get our first taste of that melodic voice. Definitely a grower and the title is enough to make this your hype anthem.
Track 13: All Up In Your Mind
This one wasn’t my favourite, but in all honesty, by this point in the album I was so hyped up, I didn’t even care. To match the running theme of this album, it made me want to dance. I basically danced around my bedroom to every song.
Track 14: America Has A Problem
…And don’t we know it. This wasn’t the song I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a commentary on society, but instead it was another self-hype track. It’s good, but the title was misleading, so I think I was just a bit disappointed that political Bey didn’t come out to play here.
Track 11: Heated
This one has an urgent, almost angry feeling to it. You feel propelled through the song, thank to the super-fast beat, but it just felt a little samey to me. But did I still dance to it? You bet.
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