The Beyhive is screaming, crying, and throwing up. Beyoncé is returning to the music scene with her much-awaited seventh studio album. Queen Bey has graced us with iconic hits from “Single Ladies” and “Formation,” so it’s only right she’s bringing us hits just in time for summer. The music star has not put out a solo album since Lemonade in 2016, which saw each of its songs reach top 100 charts. It’s safe to say the Beyhive is ready for some new music. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming album.
The album is coming just in time for summer.
Queen Bey is among musical geniuses like Taylor Swift who know how to gracefully drop musical bombs on her fans. In 2013, she released her fifth studio album Beyoncé out of nowhere without any prior promotion. In 2016, Beyoncé surprise dropped her Lemonade album after leaving hints on social media. Though still a shock for the Beyhive, fans were expecting a new album after the singer, in true Queen Bey fashion, had wiped her social media clean in preparation for a new era. This sent the Beyhive on the lookout. That is when they found her website had a gift package with the name “B7,” which could only mean one thing: Beyoncé’s seventh studio album.
I guess the fans were right because on June 16, Tidal, the music streaming platform owned by Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z, tweeted that her seventh studio album will be coming July 29. On the same day, Beyoncé appeared on the cover of British Vogue for their July issue as part of her promotion for the new album.
The name of the album refers to a new era for Beyoncé.
In a 2021 Harper Bazaar interview, Queen Bey said, “I feel a renaissance emerging,” which we now know is in reference to her new album. The promotion surrounding the album and Beyoncé’s own Instagram bio revealed the name of the album to be act i: Renaissance, alluding to a new era of music for the queen. Fans and reports are speculating that this will be a multi-part album because of the “act i” in the title.
This album’s sound will be different from her past releases.
On June 20, Beyoncé released a new song titled “Break My Soul,” which has samples from house music legends Robin S and Big Freedia. The bop takes on a different genre of music for the singer with a house-inspired dance beat, and will be featured as the sixth track of the 16-track project. But “Break My Soul” won’t be the only musical departure for Beyoncé on Renaissance: According to Variety, the eclectic album will feature songs of both dance and country genres, embarking into new terrain for the singer.
The writer who sat down with Bey in her British Vogue feature, Edward Enninful, said that when he got a peek at her new album he was transported back to the clubs of his youth. He then goes on to say that the music on the album is the type of music that will “unite people on the dance floor” and take your mind to subcultures and decades of music — it’s music that “touches your soul.”
The album cover was released alongside a message from Bey to her fans.
On June 20, Queen Bey came to Instagram to debut the cover of the album. The cover features the music icon on top of a crystal horse, embodying the elegance of the Renaissance era. Alongside the cover, Bey had a message for her fans about the purpose of the album:
“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 judgment. 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.”
The album that will provide dance hits for every summer party took nearly two years to create. She told Harper Bazaar that her albums take so long because she focuses on the fine details that many artists would overlook, such as looking through thousands of sounds to find the right snare.
Everyone, say thank you to Beyoncé for coming to save the summer. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to stream this album while on the beach, at a party, or simply just relaxing. The queen is back!