Album of the Year Unraveled: RENAISSANCE

Falsetto runs. Synthesizers. And lyrics made to make you move. Certain elements but if anyone should do it, Beyoncé should. As the 2020s rise on, new adults are doing what they can to maintain a positive attitude in the plummeting world they’ve been left to run. Beyoncé notes this and gives us 16 tracks full of love, sex, and most importantly, self confidence to dance our problems away right in time for the announcement of monkey pox and $90 tank fill ups in the Summer of 2022. Unlike many mainstream veterans that attempted to grasp the minds of post-pandemic society, few singles stuck to the eardrums of the world like RENAISSANCE songs did. Following the album release, the electronic 80s revival was in full effect as Summer closed and lead to Fall. Wether her voice filled the speakers of raves and wedding parties or the headphones of those of us just trying to get through the day with a little groove, Beyonce proves a legend never adapts to the times--but changes them.

I’M THAT GIRL

The album opener is arguably the most overlooked song on the 16 track project. Likely because of the simplicity that embodies the opening lines that are coaxed out in Bey's naturally low speaking voice--rather than sang--over a slow burn bass. Through the juxtaposition of her gentle lines against the background sampling of the late Memphis rapper, Princess Loko's, steady flow that never misses the beat of Tommy Wright III's underground track, Still Pimpin', Beyonce makes for a masterfully balanced introduction to her wild roller coast of an album. With lines that acknowledge her power that "touches everything in plain view" being followed by a denouncement of such power being desired at all, Beyonce keeps it all too real and simple on this opener as she eases us into the tone of this hour long ride--knowing we'll need a goosebump break by track eight.

COZY

While not the most lyrically stunning of the album, COZY holds the beat of the song most likely to get the bodies of the most innovative women in the middle of an Afro Beats fueled party to stampede the middle of the dance floor after a few drinks. There's not much to say about this song further than the party starting aspects and the fact that it kicks off the start of what makes this album such an experience: the transitions. The distorted ending of the song that fades its chants from "cozy...cozy" to the newly energized "unique...unique" at the final moments leads us to the empowerment standout of the album that follows: ALIEN SUPERSTAR.

ALIEN SUPERSTAR

Filling our ears with the cosmic booms of an enticing tempo, Beyonce continues to rope us into her dance floor odyssey with the third track ALIEN SUPERSTAR, reminding us that she is exclusive and unlike no other–-hence her being “UNIQUE!” The intergalactic dance track opens with a warning to not leave the dance floor, and instantly takes me to a smoky disco nightclub, in my sequined bell bottom jumpsuit–-swaying my body to the funky, electric tunes and the intense beats of the drums under bright hues of strobe lights and sweaty bodies. Beyonce blesses us on the final bridge as she reassures us with affirmations through her layered and bone chilling harmonies.

CUFF IT

The futuristic episode of ALIEN SUPERSTAR comes with a delightfully familiar switch with the wedding-reception-ready tones of CUFF IT that sees Beyonce at her most bubbly and carefree in an ode to a life of love and fun. This song shows Bey making her best usage of background harmonies at the bridge of the bright track complete with falsetto belts of "Spaceships FLY-EE-Y!" to accompany her natural refrains. CUFF IT's use of an uptempo classic band complete with heavy strings and horns gives older audiences the familiar taste of the perfectly balanced pop and r&b versions of Beyonce that gave them feel good hits like Love on Top and Check on It. However, Beyonce maintains the boundary pushing that keeps her relevant to all ages with lines full of raunchy empowerment all throughout--going as far to inspiring a TikTok DJ to make a viral remix of the lyrics set over Twista's explicit hit, "Wetter" in late 2022. This skillfully crafted record is exactly what makes the chorus the tone for one of the most feel good, all-inclusive dance trend on TikTok last year.

ENERGY

Beyonce boasts about the big ENERGY she exudes when she walks into a room–turning the dance floor into my own personal catwalk. What strikes me is the way Beyonce was able to intertwine both dancehall and house music into one song! BEAM, Jamaican-American rapper, swiftly eases his way onto the beat, building the tension for Beyonce’s entrance. ENERGY is one of the most controversial songs on the album being that it was sampled from the Kelis’ 2003 hit “Milkshake.” Hearing this song for the first time was a journey because it was unpredictable and took many turns. Bey wasn’t afraid to get political while also making a fun and sexy club joint. The rawness of the lyrics–referencing the 45th US president Donald Trump and the “Karens'' of the January 6th Capitol Riots–and the way she asserts herself on the pulsating beat took me back to 2016 when she dropped Lemonade, which tackled feminism, love and Blackness.

BREAK MY SOUL

Leading us out of one of the most electrifying transitions of the whole album is the lead single. While BREAK MY SOUL's release left the beehive split between weariness of what the rest of the album would hold or excited about Bey's new direction, there's no question that it got the world talking. With ad-libs from New Orleans' own Big Freedia, who gained acclaim in the underground bounce scene with exuberant declarations known to light the fire of any ballroom dance floor across the country--Beyonce stamps this record with the ultimate allyship ensuring that her full community of supporters feel seen. Beyond seeing her audience, Beyonce empowered us all this summer with the thought that we should all quit our jobs, lose our worries and find the light within as we meet her spirit under the strobe lights to the beat of her poignant 808s.

CHURCH GIRL

To be real, out of all the songs on RENAISSANCE, I was anticipating this one the most. The title spoke to me in a sense but after listening to the first six songs on the album, I was curious to hear how “church” itself was going to fit… but I wasn’t ready for Beyonce to tell me to “drop it like a thotty!” Starting the intro with a sample from The Clark Sisters’ “Center of Thy Will,” Bey redefines what it means to be a “church girl” and lets Christian women know that it’s okay to let loose and be free to explore themselves outside of their religion. The Black church has played a vital role in the fight to freedom for African-Americans and has influenced the choices many of us have made in our lives. Which to some extent, has caused many of us to feel conflicted when we choose to live a life that doesn’t reflect The Bible. With Bey performing runs and riffs over the blend of R&B and gospel, this song is empowering and encourages us all to live on our own terms and extend grace to ourselves. Who would’ve thought twerking and gospel would work so well together?

PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA

Okay...I will admit I am the type who judges a song by its title before I listen. So when the full track list was revealed over the summer, PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA seemed to be a skippable track that was reminiscent of Lemonade's Daddy Lessons as I figured it would take us back to Beyonce's Southern upbringing somehow. So you could imagine the way I ate my own words when this became one of my favorite songs of the whole project and, ironically, never mentions a sofa at all. Beyonce's ode to her lover and how the depth of their love is worth sticking around for the long haul is a beautiful metaphor for what happens to the plastic on the sofa at your grandma's house when she knows it's truly what her living room needs--she rips it off and gets comfortable. With mushy lyrics about how cool her lover is or how his rough edges make him even more attractive, Beyonce makes the single girls she once uplifted in 2008 ready to throw in the towel and the lover girls ready to curl up under their partners on the couch all night long. What makes this a hearty track is the recruitment of The Internet's vocal artist, Syd, as a lead writer in which she lends her love filled pen to give us a piano filled track reminiscent of her own band's takes such as Just Go With It or Hold On.

VIRGO’S GROOVE

Obviously with Bey being the most famous Virgo in the world, it was only right for her to dedicate this six-minute sultry, disco groove to the best star sign in the zodiac during Leo season. VIRGO’S GROOVE oozes sex appeal and explores the sensual desires of a Virgo woman. As a (triple) Virgo woman myself, the notion that Virgo women are critical, prissy and boring is old and retired. Being the most grounded Earth sign, Virgos are very sensual, and rely heavily on closeness and intimacy with our lovers–which we can be picky about but rightfully so. With each blissful listen, we delve deeper into sexuality and lust as Bey’s impatience and excitement for her lover grows fonder.

MOVE

Moving into another club anthem on the 16 track album is MOVE, a spicy Afrobeats influenced song that slams into our eardrums with poignant drums and a command from Beyonce to "Move out the way" immediately for her girls. Beyonce pays homage to the Caribbean and African culture in which lends MOVE its infectious sound by calling on the multigenerational talent of Jamaican native Grace Jones and Nigerian native, Tems, who already has the 2020s under her thumb three years in with her unique vocals. MOVE holds its own on the album with its booming first half that showcases dominant rap vocals of all three ladies fit for a dance battle that transitions into a slower vibe at the two minute mark fit for a wine night full of blissful reflection. What begins as a command of dominance ends as Bey's reasons for her powerful behavior in the first place, "This is why I live: sweet moments like this" acts as an ode to women dominating everywhere unapologetically. The shift from beginning to end is pleasantly unexpected and it leads perfectly into what many have called the song of the year, HEATED.

HEATED

HEATED is the perfect song for dancing the night away and is the epitome of what Renaissance celebrates: self love, joy and freedom. Dedicated to her late Uncle Jonny, this self-assuring track is the climactic point of the album that makes me feel a sense of reassurance while living through unprecedented times and also makes me somewhat emotional. Hearing Bey’s airy vocals, over the intense Afrobeat rhythms, segue from MOVE into HEATED for the first time felt like an out of body experience. And with the help of her work husband Drake– who co-wrote HEATED and coincidentally dropped his surprise dance and house music inspired album Honestly, Nevermind a few weeks before RENAISSANCE– the two sparked conversation about the revival of dance music and the cultural shifts being created. The influence of Mr. OVO himself can be heard through the melody and the lyrics.

THIQUE

If I'm heading to the lifting area of the gym, THIQUE is the first song I'm gonna turn on every time. With a beat fit for a rave party reminiscent of time spent in the New York underground scene, this song comes in hardcore on the first eight count. When Beyonce snakes onto the track with her iconically rich speaking voice amped with even more lustful base as she boasts about her famous physique, even the smallest set of cheeks in the room are gonna feel that energy of what it means to be a thick woman--and even more so, a powerful one--when she tells you the similarities between her bank account and her backside (hint: they're both enormous). For fans of the Sasha Fierce era, this song gives you the same empowerment as "Diva" does but with a little more raw edge and subtleness. Perfect for a little solo confidence boost in your room before heading out.

ALL UP IN YOUR MIND

The grunge enthused turn on this song was Bey’s way of no longer asking for what she wants–but demanding it instead. Unlike other songs on RENAISSANCE, ALL UP IN YOUR MIND is layered with synths and has an EDM type of vibe to it. This pulsating track has a sound that I’ve never heard before and it threw me off guard with its intensity and assertion. Although it’s not as delicate and passive as the other heartfelt tracks on the album, it makes me feel sexy and is the perfect anthem to play if you’re about to send a drunk text.

AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM

My title judgement of songs completely failed me once again with the track that I assumed would be a call out to the social injustices of America but was indeed just a song that makes you want to be an extra on an 80s workout tape upon first listen. AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM is one of the most overlooked tracks on Renaissance but shows Bey at her most heightened flow. With a fast paced refrain that details her "Tony Montana racks" and the "Ivy P on her bag" we can easily assume Bey may have gotten a little help from her husband who raps sometimes to push his equally cocky pen for her--and it worked out in all of our favor.

PURE/HONEY

Spin and dips and duckwalks are prancing through the crowd as Bey summons the bad bitches and the money bitches to the dancefloor–giving us a blissful taste of the New York ballroom scene in the early 1970s and the late 80s. Opening with a sample from ballroom legend Kevin Aviance’s 1996 track “Cunty,” this two-part track’s pulsating beat creates an alluring atmosphere that forces you to move your body to the rhythm. This ballroom extravaganza is provocative and bold, leaving you with no other choice but to let your guard down and dance into the night.

SUMMER RENAISSANCE

The album's closing track is everything a finale should be. While the runtime of the song hones in at about four minutes, this track feels endless with its infectious strings and poignant 808 hammers fit for a night at Studio 54 in the biggest platform boots you can find. An ode to every theme of the album: love, sex, and even black empowerment with Bey's shocking denouncement of five figure Birkin bags in favor of her trusty Telfar. With a sample from the queen of disco, Donna Summer, Bey brings the whole point of RENAISSANCE full circle: though we may not be able to control all the chaos of the day, we still enjoy the timeless electrifying music that can get us through the nights.

- S. Sparks x J. Forest