Beyoncé - Renaissance ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: • Beyoncé - BREAK MY SOU...
A holistic dance pop experience.
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FAV TRACKS: COZY, ALIEN SUPERSTAR, CUFF IT, ENERGY, BREAK MY SOUL, CHURCH GIRL, PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA, VIRGO'S GROOVE, MOVE, THIQUE, AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM, SUMMER RENAISSANCE
LEAST FAV TRACK: I'M THAT GIRL
BEYONCE - RENAISSANCE / 2022 / PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT / DANCE POP, R&B, HIP HOUSE
8/10 www.theneedledrop.com/loved-l...
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[@itzdevii]

7:44 what Beyonce did at the end of HEATED was less of 'rapping' and more of what's known in the LGBT Ballroom scene as 'chanting'. Chanting's aim is to breathe life into a person as they leave it all on the dance floor; getting their entire life if you will. It's a dope intersection between the masculine and feminine energy too, filled with aggressive shouts and instructions mixed with feminine lyrics and persuasion🙏🏿

[@davy209]

I agree with you 💯 on that and it’s definitely a standout track on the album for me!

[@joshuajackson6260]

I agree. My favorite song and part of the album. It’s like someone is breathing life into me every time I hear it

[@jonathanlevy3495]

this album is insane because it’s addictive. like, i can’t listen to anything else without craving at least 2 or 3 tracks from renaissance

[@KairoK]

It's so funny, you're the third person Ive heard use that word and it makes so much sense. I've have never listened to an album back to back so often. i think I've listened to it every day since it came out - beginning to end

[@Amir-qz4bn]

Me with Dawn FM for sure

[@anynamez7048]

If i listen to one song from this album, i gotta listen to 5 more. Very addictive fr

[@RandomRachelvids]

Bro I’m so glad I’m not alone in this. I’ve listened to this album 4 times in one day and my grip on reality is loosening

[@music1997rr]

Q

[@jakob9585]

4 to Self titled to Lemonade to Renaissance. What an amazing album run.

[@yuhgetintoit3190]

One more and I think she could pass the 5 album test

[@A2Zondeck]

@@yuhgetintoit3190 I guess we aren't counting I am..sasha fierce....and in the context of all of her albums, I can't blame you. it's not a bad album but...in the mix of Dangerously in love, b'day, 4 to Renaissance, it's the worse one.

[@yuhgetintoit3190]

@@A2Zondeck yeah. The track list is really uneven between Ballads and dance numbers. I don't really hate any of the songs but it doesn't feel like an album, it feels like a collection of songs.

[@patr1ckk3ll3y]

@@yuhgetintoit3190 Yeah it was her first attempt at a concept album but it was under her old leadership before she really took control of her career so she still had to compromise a lot for the label and I think that hurt the vision of that album

[@sentientsponge8570]

@@yuhgetintoit3190 gotta admit radio walked so all up in your mind could fly

[@Dethmaster64]

This is the album Azealia Banks could’ve made if she wasn’t waging wars on Twitter all day

[@KairoK]

You said it!

[@100Stratusfiedx]

The gag is she makes great music. Imagine a feature on this album. She’s had opportunities to feature with incredible artists and just threw everything away

[@turnthonkee]

Azealia basically already did make this album multiple times already

[@lilyofthevalley9853]

Imagine she did something like “Anna Wintour” and was featured on this album... That girl is so fucking talented but cant stop running her mouth 😩

[@yoncedelrey]

@@lilyofthevalley9853 yes so talented! but her controversies always got in the way.

[@pippinbloom]

Strangely, I really didn't enjoy Break My Soul as a single, but it's incredible in the context of this album

[@uraharasenpai8852]

I feel the same way

[@Joeweee]

Same! Hearing it in the album made me enjoy it like 100x more

[@lilyofthevalley9853]

Yesss i was like wtffff i get it now 💀

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

I like BMS not as a lead single though

[@Clkdestinations]

Same!

[@dontcaretbh]

So the outro “rap” of Heated would be called “Chanting” which is a term used within the Vogue/ Ballroom scene. It clearly shows she has done her homework. I personally think it was an amazing touch to Heated. Also, the one aspect you forgot to incorporate is the dedication to Ballroom culture. Pure Honey is for the Gworls n Gays.

[@gayhomosexuallll]

Definitely. It’s not rap

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

It's such a fucking good verse. I also love that they teased the verse throughout the song, thinking it was some hype woman making beys song more spicy only to realize in the end it was her the whole time

[@destinyfinis]

Straight fckn fire. Damn near broke my fckn neck tryna match the energy, no pun intended

[@danielstinson7290]

THANK YOU

[@dontcaretbh]

@@Pikachu-qr4yb the production on Heated is insane. I’m surprised it’s not being pushed as a single.

[@issaphae9659]

i’ve come to learn and appreciate that beyoncé is no longer a singles artist. all the tracks combined are so cohesive and consistent that the larger artistic statement is the album at large, not any individual song. i mean, how many people can relate to loving break my soul much more within the context of the album than when it was first released as a single? these songs aren’t meant to be isolated.

[@tariqthomas9090]

Agreed but I could totally see Cuff It and Alien Superstar (which is surprisingly popular considering how weird it is) being huge singles. I mean, Cuff It is practically begging for a Silk Sonic remix.

[@issaphae9659]

@@tariqthomas9090 i think they’ll be huge in club scenes for sure, but individual beyoncé singles don’t seem to take over general pop culture like they used to. the albums as a whole are the buzz ever since lemonade.

[@yungb703]

very nicely said!!

[@aubreyyoung4610]

Agreed. The impact that radio has on success shrinks every year, and if you're an artist the talent and size of Beyonce/Kendrick/J Cole and very few others, you no longer need a lead single to promote your album. Your fans are expecting a cohesive project, and not a couple dope tracks with a bunch of mid in between.

[@hallelsegel6517]

she's not one of the Single Ladies anymore?

[@skiphopflipflopdripdrop]

‘Alien Superstar’ is one of the best songs she’s EVER released imo.

[@dunnowy123]

And AGAIN, showing how you can incorporate I'm Too Sexy without it being embarrassing. Drake took like a million Ls by accident 😂

[@bruh......2005]

On God, I was suprised how much that track slaps. I would definetly put it over Break my soul

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

@@dunnowy123 You know Drake co-wrote Heated right? Easily one of the better cuts on the album…

[@AlexLee]

UNIQUE

[@lilyofthevalley9853]

@@AlexLee Is what you are

[@ezrajns22]

never been a Beyoncé stan, I liked some of her music and thought she was a phenomenal performer, but this album turned me into an obsessive fan that would pay fortune to see her live

[@jaydonm4634]

ME TOO OMG

[@DitloNio]

LITERALLY SAME!!

[@zazlar4228]

exactly the same here !

[@ds37]

this 100% this is my AOTY and I mostly listen to rap and hip hop. but this is no skips, bangers after bangers, heavy rotation dance music. Hope she'll tour in Europe again and when she does I'll buy me some tickets pronto!

[@thetraveler1125]

Lol same here. This album to me is the most perfect album I’ve heard in a very long time…and only two others have hit the mark for me. Micheal Jackson’s Thriller and Whitney Houston’s Bodyguard album.

[@danielletildamoro9706]

Easily a 9/10 after 8 listens. She embodied the intention of each track and the overall hollistic experience that the album gives. It may sound "just a vibe and fun" album but it's just as intricate as Lemonade with all the subtle and in your face homages and production. LOVE IT.

[@vertoviaflaneur3240]

@ɢʀᴀʜᴀᴍ sᴛᴇᴘʜᴀɴ ARE YOU AN ALIEN

[@MD-Xed]

💯

[@OfficialPrettyLittleLiars]

Despite Heated being my least favorite track at the beginning, that outtro is possibly one of my favorite moments of the record. Her calling out everyone that calls her “overrated” is just a cherry on top for yet another legacy defining record

[@ponderingypanda]

yeah heated outro is one of my favorite parts of the album it's so goood

[@justicejericho97]

I mean Beyonce is great, but if you heard the British Radio Hosts its worse than a sponsored youtube ad, I’m not surprised if people think she’s overrated because her marketing necessitates that everyone overrates her

[@justicejericho97]

She’s refined a tactic of hating on people calling her overrated while simultaneously creating the environment for her to be overrated. Marketing genius.

[@larryfishburne5622]

"Flip floppin ass bish" i loved it...

[@stargirl114]

I replay the outro each time I listen to the song!

[@CypiXmusic]

*_Timestamps:_* *0:00** Intro* 2:10 I’M THAT GIRL 2:56 COZY 3:40 ALIEN SUPERSTAR 4:02 CUFF IT 4:28 ENERGY 5:06 BREAK MY SOUL 5:49 CHURCH GIRL 6:16 PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA 6:45 VIRGO’S GROOVE 7:06 MOVE 7:23 HEATED 7:53 ALL UP IN YOUR MIND 8:24 PURE/HONEY 9:00 THIQUE 9:22 AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM 10:13 SUMMER RENAISSANCE *10:53** Outro* Hope these help to find where he talks about your favorite song :) For more dance music feel free to step by

[@justhere2001]

You’re heaven sent for this

[@joekratman1872]

Not even gonna try to make a meme out of this comment, this album is just so so good. The cohesiveness yet diversity across the track list is truly a feat to be marveled and this has shot to the top of my AOTY contenders list. Say what you will about Beyonce and her stans, she is a serious artist who goes into each project with a clear and uncompromising vision and that is more apparent than ever in my opinion with Renaissance. 9/10 easily, could become a 10 on further listens

[@blast4028]

Unsubscribed.

[@zethesgd]

common joe kratman L

[@no-vk2qe]

People who listen to Beyonce are the Type of people who float when they smell a pie

[@moonshine73]

@@no-vk2qe you just described Drake fans

[@theyfeeltheboy]

your name's kartman but you look like peter griffin

[@NikkuManAMVs]

A shame you didn’t love Pure/Honey as much as I did. I felt like it was one of the most ambitious tracks that certainly paid off and one of the most blatant homages to ballroom/queer culture that Beyonce was so inspired by. It’s been my number one from this project since my first listen and I can’t see it changing!

[@KairoK]

That's the thing about this album, you hear something new each time. Pure/honey and Thique used to be my least favourites...now I love them

[@AlbumSea]

absolutely agree. was weird to me seeing him go down on the second half, which I think just elevates the song's power as a whole, making it much more free and wild than the extremely tight, cold first half. almost certainly will go down as song of the year for me

[@hauntedfairyyy]

absolutely agree!! its one of my favorite songs on the album

[@100Stratusfiedx]

As soon as I heard that Kevin Aviance I got my life. Apparently she found the Moi Renee sample herself

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

Definitely Beyonces most unexpected song shes ever released. At least the Pure part. I never in my life thought I'd hear a minimal-deep house track by Beyonce and it actually being fucking good

[@dylanlevine6745]

In a world where labels are pressuring artists to increase streams by making short songs, craving view tiktok songs, etc Beyonce comes through with a mainstream artistic statement. It’s so impressive. She’s not afraid to make a 6 minute disco pop groove of a song that is breathtaking while also making a hyperpop leaning track that yes could’ve went a bit further but the fact that it made the album and is as good as it is just shows the effort that this album has to create a masterpiece. AG Cook was robbed from being mentioned in this review just sayin

[@Arkyark672]

Love this comment! She really is not following the crowd as far as sound and structure of her album goes which is always the case for her. I heard someone review the album and complain that the songs were too long and oh my goodness wa a I shocked. Like do people not make 3 to 4 minute songs anymore? This was normal for me growing up and I’m only 23 but geez. I love this album. I think it’s my top 3. BDAY is my number 1 and I still can’t decide what deserves number 2 or 3 at the moment lol

[@danielsimmich1858]

Songs should be as long or as short as they need to be to do what they need to do. Be that 1 minute or 9 minutes

[@meghansullivan6812]

OMG the hyperpoppy sound was such a pleasant surprise

[@bradmitchell1507]

well she is idolized to shit and THE biggest and, viewed as the BEST diva performer in the biz. She isn't going to get the same treatment. doesn't change any of the quality of this album.

[@clubkayserrecords]

"Virgo's Groove" was the song that got me to fall in love with this album because not only was it the longest track on the album that felt like an authentic disco track, it made me Nostalgic for the "Paradise Garage" in New York City. I could totally hear Larry Levan playing that track in his DJ set if he were still alive today.

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

Can we talk about her falsetto at the end of that track 😱

[@chi8772]

@@Pikachu-qr4yb yes we can. I’m listening. It was beautiful

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

@BossyBree TV I like alot of the songs but I must say Virgo's Groove is the best produced track on the album. The pacing, the vocals, the chord changes. The epic falsetto ending ❤️

[@erinknightingale251]

it’s such a good disco song and her vocals are insane

[@AlexLee]

I know Grammy is a lost cause, but I can't help but hope that they do the right thing. This is her most serious AOTY contender since Self-Titled. It's time.

[@kadenbunn7936]

saying lemonade isn't a AOTY contender is a crime

[@AlexLee]

@@kadenbunn7936 of course Lemonade was a contender (it was actually nominated). But I was talking about the competition. Selt-Titled was competing against Beck, Sam Smith and Pharrell, while Lemonade had 25 by Adele, Purpose and Views.

[@Bxyxox]

@123ev456 man I love Adele but she better not win AOTY for 30, it was decent at best

[@shiningnightmare5616]

@123ev456 pretty sure Bruno Mars also got a hold for an album noms too with Anderson Paak 😭 OMG she's losing

[@gerardovazquez6441]

The grammys are a disvalue better turn your back

[@evomusic1720]

Might get hate for this but the influence of LGBT culture on this album seems to be lost on everyone and it's sad. Beyonce knew what she was doing and I applaud her for it. And the category is: iconic.

[@sideradooooo]

Totally agree with you.

[@matt1755]

And the category is: monetize culture that is not your own.

[@sandrahoward9387]

I agree 💯💯💯

[@therogue1542]

@@matt1755 puh lease, black women have always been a major influence for lgbtq+ culture and vice versa. She has always been an ally and judging from the response on social media, the lgbtq+ community appreciate her taking inspiration from and bringing light to ballroom and drag culture and styles in a respectful and creative way. A lot of the collaborators on this album are lgbtq+.

[@kbreezy1581]

Yeah, this album is so damn gay

[@dannymcdandan5557]

Hard disagree on I'm That Girl. That's one of my favorites purely because of how much of a bold, ominous tone setter of an intro the track is, not to mention the immaculate beat switch in the latter half. Near perfect album for me, issa hard 9. Cannot wait to hear how Acts 2 and 3 will sound, Beyoncé's the definition of taking a risk on project after project, and it paying off greatly.

[@last7116]

You know the album is good when the comments are actually talking about it

[@4zarias]

Renaissance is what Honestly Nevermind tried to be but failed miserably

[@tariqthomas9090]

I’m surprised so many people don’t like the HEATED rap commentary at the end. The “Monday, I’m overrated/Tuesday on my d🍆 ck” line is one of my favorite parts of the whole album. 😂

[@YouTuber-ub8ok]

It reminds me of azealia banks on yung rapunxel and anna wintour. It's my fav song in the album atm

[@axelponce6187]

Men HEATED really hits

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

Co-written with October’s very own… 😂

[@courtonjohnson1191]

Same it was so fireeeee

[@brianb8655]

Heated goes OFF

[@corijaiden]

god. seeing a comment section like this for an album as good as this one makes me so happy

[@faiali2895]

same!! i’m cheesing

[@turco564]

This album is Beyonce's love letter to 90's ballroom music. She is putting this genre in the spotlight for the new generation to listen to this kind of music.

[@soulmoney119]

Drake did it better btw

[@emjae2]

@@soulmoney119 Lol.

[@brianhueber3683]

Her producers and songwriters are putting the genre in the spotlight.

[@GDL364]

@@brianhueber3683 stop pretending like she isn’t heavily involved in the creation of her music. At this point in her career she has creative control.

[@staigenerator2949]

@@GDL364 exactly. Thats like saying Kanye isn’t the reason MBDTF sounds great. He was the glue, and here Beyoncé held it together as well

[@denneyandthejets7833]

I love how consistently excellent Beyoncé's records are. Despite all the different directions and risks she takes, she always manages to pull it off.

[@TheSkaOreo]

I know some might derisively mention that she has a bunch of people working on her music, but honestly that doesn't mean anything if you don't have the proper direction. And at the end of the day--it's all her. She has to sell the music. I mean look at Drake: the man is probably the biggest rap star in the world right now, and he releases something like Honestly, Nevermind. It's complete trash and shows the lack of drive that Drake has even though he has access to the best talent in the music business.

[@KairoK]

@@TheSkaOreo And regardless of how many people are on the album, she is always the powerhouse. It's HER energy and vocal ability that takes centre stage every time

[@farahabdulahi474]

tbh ive only liked her recent albums. from Lemonade onwards. before that it was a bunch of singles put together with (lots of) hits but I couldn't enjoy a front-to-back listen

[@IamFirtyDucker]

Alien Superstar is a prime example of how to properly interpolate an older hit song

[@musicmoviesart]

you’re so right! bc initially there was something familiar about the melody but i never made the connection until i heard someone mention the actual song. and interpolating can get risky with big pop culture songs that everyone knows bc it’s annoying when one song reminds you TOO much of another like might as well go listen to the original. but alien superstar totally avoids that for me. i can enjoy the similarity without being taken out of the song bc of how Beyoncé made the melody her own.

[@windexoii5661]

@@musicmoviesart please, what song is it? i swear i’ve heard it before!

[@imanolvides3185]

Virgos groove is one of the best songs in beyonces discography. And this is coming from someone who has heard every beyonce album

[@tovsb8053]

Lemonade and Renaissance are neck and neck for me. This album’s production was insane. The seamless transitions wild. And I love that she NEVER compromised her vocals even though this was a house album. I love all the songs but Top songs for me: plastic off the soft , Virgo’s groove, cuff it, cozy, alien superstar, pure/honey, church girl. Break my soul sounds even better in context with the album. This will go down as one of the greatest albums in this generation for sure.

[@soulmoney119]

Drake did it better

[@mangiiiabeats3213]

@@soulmoney119 😭😭😭

[@chrisman3431]

@@soulmoney119 Beyoncé did what Drake failed to do 🤷🏾‍♂️. And that boy CAN'T sing to save his life

[@nikolaaleksovski4334]

@@chrisman3431 Drake did it better ngl

[@badgasaurus4211]

@@chrisman3431 ratio

[@yoncedelrey]

i love this album!!!! 25 years into her musical career and beyoncé is still not afraid to take risks! she's about to get her 7th consecutive #1 studio album y'all! excited for the rest of this era fasho.

[@nobodyburgen4594]

Aren’t you the same person that got absurdly upset about Mic The Snare making a minor mistake on the credits to Lemonade? Lol

[@gavindalton2238]

@@nobodyburgen4594 stans will be stans

[@ace2311]

Judging by the fact that your user is yonce del rey, I question whether i should take this seriously or not

[@yoncedelrey]

@@nobodyburgen4594 didn't get heated, and it wasn't a minor mistake, he literally lied lol

[@nutmaster652]

she bout 60 years old bruh she don’t have that many eras left lol

[@dunnowy123]

I'm not even a particularly big Beyonce fan, but holy shit....did I love this album. I just gave it several listens back to front and kept finding new songs and aspects to love. It's hilarious how much better of a house album this is than Honestly, Nevermind. Like if you want an example of good house, listen to this. Bad house, listen to that.

[@bubblegumbass]

i saw someone shitting on this album because it was "just as bad as drake's new house album but because it's beyonce people like it this time". imagine not having ears lol

[@WhenItsHalfPastFive]

why is Drake in ya'll minds rent free 24/7 lmao. You people are obsessed.

[@Jack-bn3it]

@@WhenItsHalfPastFive it’s a fair comparison. They’re both dance albums. Both recent

[@yuu.7659]

@@WhenItsHalfPastFive Yes, because comparing a great house album to a recent bad one is obsession. If you tired of seeing Drake criticism, like just log off and go touch some grass bro.

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

You know Drake co-wrote Heated right? Easily one of the better cuts on the album…

[@TheSkaOreo]

I get that resentment, and that has followed her throughout her career that because she's rich and famous that she can't possibly relate to people. But I don't know--I don't really listen to Beyonce because I want to know who she is. In fact, I largely prefer that she remains unknowable. That's one of her biggest strengths in my opinion: she's a canvas that people can project themselves on to. So yeah, Break my Soul is less about her promoting her sell as a 9-5 girl, and more as this is a song for people who are feeling this way and just want to dance. And it's a hell of a bop too. I enjoy the album. Right now it's a strong 8 verging on a light 9.

[@NeilDavis10]

Looking at her past interviews, I think her goal has always been to get people to feel strong with her music. It's like how Run the World is made fun of for having a repetitive chorus, but I now see it as for people to use that as a callback chant.

[@angelant96]

Adding to your comment, I realized Break My Soul is not about "releasing your job" just because, but rather an empowerment statement in the lines of "If you don't feel good at your workplace, find one that makes you happy", which is a sentiment a lot of people felt in 2020. Being at home made a lot of people more introspective and there has been a shift in how people think about working. She just happened to condense that sentiment in a 90's house bop.

[@TepidBlack]

Yaassssss, SLAY those sweatshop workers KWEEN 💅💅💅

[@josemourino8779]

@@TepidBlack Rihanna’s fenty line is made by sweatshop workers, so is Kanye west’s Yeezys and yet I’ve never seen criticism directed to them as much as Beyoncé 🤨. The music is good lol focus on that

[@CHPInc-fg5mo]

She SURPRISED the hell outta me. This is an ALBUM EXPERIENCE. Imagine Random Access Memories mixed with Lemonade. She's legendary man. Ahhhh 😭💪🏿🔥

[@XanStephP]

What a great take!!! I'm right there with you and RAM is my all time favourite album. ❤

[@NEWYORKER131]

this album is so special and unique. beyonce is the ultimate curator. she knows exactly who to pull for this album to make it incredible.

[@soulmoney119]

Drake did it better lol

[@NeilDavis10]

The intro to me is one of my favorite songs on the album. I think it's like an "awakening" to her spiritual renaissance for the rest of the album to build on.

[@Clkdestinations]

I wish more people understood that. From a dancer’s perspective…It’s the warm up song to wake up the muscles and prepare to dance FULL OUT!

[@adrea5295]

Came here to say this !!!

[@dor4376]

Now, that's giving some context! Thanks! Now it makes sense for me💛

[@saphire2214]

Agreed. Love the subtle goddess sunrise references. The lyrics are really poetic when you pay attention to them.

[@mrsZosma905]

EXACTLY

[@turco564]

Transitions make an album more of an album than it already is, Beyonce and her team did a great job piecing these songs together.

[@0d0d0d]

COZY was such a great track on this album. I love it. Not sure how everyone else felt about it.

[@qsanchez95]

top 3 for me, loved it

[@missgigip]

Top 5 track for me

[@tonimichelle8401]

The first day I listened to the album it was my #1. Like how can you not catch a groove while listening

[@lovemusique85]

one of my favs. Fire

[@missgigip]

@@tonimichelle8401 for reals..I felt like a bad bitch lol walking down the street..Zach campells reaction to this song had me dead

[@gardenjhr]

I enjoyed this album, i think it’s a great house album and completely washes “Honestly, Nevermind”. I give it a 8/10.

[@manlikemars2929]

Honestly nevermind isn’t even close

[@jamjam850]

It’s not really a house album

[@gardenjhr]

@@jamjam850 house, dance, whatever, still a great album

[@nbabackcourtmedia]

@@ralissedarysv2497 it comes down to the execution, drakes album is overhated imo it’s solid but Beyoncé just executed the style in a better and more creative and consistent way imo

[@gardenjhr]

@@ralissedarysv2497 Beyoncé does a good job, drake stop trying years ago.

[@markgreen9567]

I was shopping in Whole Foods and I wanted to scream! Not because of the food prices but because Beyonce's Renaissance entered my blood stream and touched my soul! It made me so happy! I'm a dude and I thought I was transforming into a Drag Queen in the vegetables aisle! I felt like a Super Nova, or a Phoenix! Wow! This album is pure catharsis!

[@furstnaymelassnaim9206]

I bet the cucumbers were sweating. 🤣

[@martytu20]

@@furstnaymelassnaim9206 it perked up straight.

[@markgreen9567]

@@furstnaymelassnaim9206 🤣

[@markgreen9567]

@@martytu20 🤣

[@youdbettertube]

Drag queens are (typically) men lol

[@SteezyG]

I've never given Beyonce the time before, she never was my vibe but PURE/HONEY came on a mix and I loved it. Had the whole album on repeat since so it get a yellow flannel from me too 👌

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

Honestly this album is a 10/10 for me, I can't identify a single flaw, everything is perfect from a production, vocal, and lyrical level. This is easily Beyoncè's best album imo.

[@kylescott6608]

Better vocally than 4 thooo????

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

@@kylescott6608 vocally on par with 4, I wouldn't say better. But I think this has much better production.

[@kylescott6608]

@@PrincipalSkinner3190 agreed

[@meghansullivan6812]

It’s the first album of hers that’s really fully gripped me! And that’s totally bc house music is one of my favorite genres. I love it so much!!!

[@f4gsforpele]

Better than 4, Lemonade, self-titled, B’Day?? 💀 bffr.

[@AxelRosee]

I've been ADDICTED to this album ever since it came out. what a powerhouse Beyoncé and her team are. i love seeing established artists get experimental with their work, which is why I don't mind the parts that may drag or get lost a little bit. the imperfections only serve as a reminder that this is genuinely a passion project

[@minumeyli]

Its an absolute MONSTER of an album. Beyoncé really did an amazing job cultivating an album that was more than an album. It's an EXPERIENCE. Every song flows perfectly together and while its hard to realize we switched to another song when listening to it as a whole, it's so varied that it doesn't really matter. It's amazing. Just pure artistry.

[@queercomputer]

7:47 okay so what she's doing there is more than just a "shouted distorted little outro rap verse". She's commentating. Commentating is a style of incantatory mic-spitting that occurs during a vogue ball. The people spitting the rhythmic counts are called commentators and often infuse their own sort of improvisational color and style when they're on the mic and the voguers are performing. Not mentioning the vogue/ballroom influence on this record is notable and a mistake because it occurs in more than several tracks in different ways.

[@masonm8351]

Never listened to Beyoncé outside of the radio. This album’s an easy strong 9 to a 10. The mixes are so creative and beautifully constructed, along with some bomb ass vocals from Beyoncé makes this a potential AOTY

[@KairoK]

This album is a love letter to house without it feeling like cosplay. She puts her stamp on this album and her voice never sounded better 🔥🔥🔥 Easily an album with the most replay value from her discography.

[@domb8448]

Without my lenses I read that as 'love letter to horse' thinking it might explain the cover..

[@KairoK]

@@domb8448 That too 🐎

[@PatTriesAgain]

damn YES! Im so happy people like this album. Altough NOTHING will beat Lemonade for me, something about it just...hits different.

[@KevEonTHINKS]

You’re still depressed then

[@kalmanta1824]

Because we don’t have the visuals yet. And if Black Is King is an indication, we‘ll be blown away by her.

[@myles7453]

Renaissance to me is probably a 9, that's so damn close to a 10. Loved how well produced this album is, and it might be my favorite Beyonce album as well. Fave Tracks: All up in your Mind, Church Girl, Virgo's Groove, Alien Superstar, Summer Renaissance, Break my Soul (Energy transition was AMAZING) & Heated.

[@tonimichelle8401]

The transition from Energy gave me a whole new appreciation for Break My Soul!

[@dak0tacr4ft]

same i’m at like 9.5 with this album

[@jeralinsunflower7300]

@@tonimichelle8401 facts! Me too.

[@kackareznickova5431]

you get it

[@nathaniellambert9086]

Heated and Pure/Honey two of the best songs on the album

[@noxh808]

agree

[@elimarshall1497]

Hate heated. But pure/honey is my favorite

[@charlie0319]

Those two songs and "Virgo's Groove" are the best three songs on the album imo

[@martytu20]

For the first time in a long time, I finally understood why Beyoncé has such a fanatical fan base that borders toxicity. This album might turn me into a toxic Beyoncé Stan.

[@Clkdestinations]

It will definitely happen if you go see the live show. 🤤

[@reii3714]

same I never took her serious I mean I always knew she was an insane vocalist but she’s never caught my attention the way she has w renaissance

[@selmae7225]

Now go watch her live performances 👌🏾

[@WTDGL]

welcome to the beyhive

[@saphire2214]

You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Bey perform live. If you ever get your hands on one of her your tickets, snatch it up!

[@andreastory800]

One of the favorite things I love about this album is how everyone’s favorite song or top 3 favorites always changes. Right now, I can’t get enough of Cuff it but then next week I’ll say America has a problem is the best song. This album is just too good, maybe even great I feel rejuvenated listening to this album.I know that sounds dramatic but I just do lol. Also, I’m that girl grew on me, like at first I wasn’t too big on the production but then caught myself vibing to it more and more with each listen. Remember Act II and Act III are on the way, I’m curious to see how she tops this album. 9/10 for me, great review as always Anthony.

[@deuge]

The last 25% of "I'm that girl" gives me chills, I really like the slow build.

[@andreastory800]

@@deuge Yes!

[@samdavisok]

Totally me.

[@IDLEPYRAMIDS]

I’m happy you really enjoyed this album, Anthony. My mom was a huge Beyoncé fan before she sadly passed away back in 2019, this album really made me emotional and I just wish she was still here to listen to it. In my opinion, this is easily her best work yet. Unsubscribed.

[@r4slen]

The ol' bait n switch, lovin it.

[@parkermudsen1063]

Goddamn! You’re ruthless! 😂

[@TheRnBFan]

What? I don’t get it.

[@akw8769]

Don’t get it? Why unsubscribe?

[@Dhal-SimMusic]

Amazing 🤣👌

[@ArthurBizkit]

I honestly want to know why Melon didn't give it a 9/9.5 after all that praise.

[@dajuiceman8870]

The seamlessness of the record makes it so addictive; like I can’t listen to Cuff It without hearing Energy and I can’t listen to Energy without Break My Soul afterwards lol

[@turco564]

I didn't even know a sample of Kelis' "Milkshake" was in the song "Energy" until someone pointed it out to me. I don't think it matters if the sample is gone or not, it's still a great track.

[@bhaalboy]

Virgo's Groove is genuinely the best new song I've heard all year. It's so so good, I can't stop listening to it. Her voice just sounds plain intoxicating.

[@Thecriticalplug]

Yeah honestly ,I could say after listening to it multiple times I definitely think it's Beyonce's best. Not only is the production great and the flow but the song writing is definitely on point

[@ClintDenman37]

I think its interesting that you think the first track is disjointed. I think that was its intent. It's like her taking in all of the directions she could go next and finding her footing in being That Girl. By the time she reaches the climax of the song you can tell that she locks in on the sound and then the album begins. It's a interesting opener, but it makes so much sense to me. It's like her subconscious saying "Yeah, this album is about self love and joy. GO."

[@lcs-1]

This album is surpsingly dense and frenetic, it really feels like a feverish celebration of the dancefloor, love it!

[@comeawaywithme]

Beyoncé transitioning into a stellar album artist is not the career arc I ever thought she'd be on a decade ago and it's paid dividends when it concerns the quality of her music. My favorite thing about Renaissance is that, while a lot of effort clearly went into making it, Beyoncé sounds as if she has nothing left to prove music-wise and whether you like her stylistic change-up or not, she made something that sounds uniquely Bey. So much fun from front to back. I'd give it an 8.5 easy.

[@ottomaticfs8043]

The best song is for sure ALIEN SUPERSTAR, that hook is insane

[@danielletildamoro9706]

I'm not much of a fan of the house, hip hop, hyper pop, trap, bounce, afrobeat, dance, ballroom and all the genre this album touched. BUT RENAISSANCE made me appreciate it. The way it has grown on me and now I cannot stop playing it and I cannot pick a favorite coz love everything. And also the vocals are heavenly. Loved it so much. Now, I've not stopped streaming it and now searching and listening to house artists. Love how this album affected me. An initial 8.5/10 but after 6 days, a strong addictive 10/10 don't hate me. Omg. 😭

[@Benheartsart]

Easy 9. Best album I’ve heard from a main pop girl that can hold itself both artistically and as pop music this decade. The last one was The Fame Monster.

[@DavidBallin]

I think HEATED is infectiously good. The energy on it builds beautifully and makes me want to dance my white ass off. Definitely a highlight on the track listing for me

[@fadethechannel]

Great review Melon. Artists at this point in their careers don’t usually have the drive, passion, or even resources to take a chance like this album. It’s a complete body of work, and like you said, isn’t a “surface-level swipe.”

[@diffsiuhgr4578]

I can’t even stress enough the fact that I’m not a fan of house music. I don’t even know if I know house music. And I’m a sucker for melancholic songs! but when I listened to this album, I truly felt like it was one of the best albums I’ve ever heard and it just struck me that everyone on earth would love it as much as I do. As if it’s not a matter of subjectivity. I feel like this album is not a matter of subjective taste and point of view

[@soulmoney119]

Drake album better

[@youdbettertube]

This comment giving me big "I don't like rap but I like Eminem" energy

[@heyman620]

​@@youdbettertube LOL, people who think it's more than 8/10 definitely don't know MF DOOM, Biggie, Pink Floyd, Beach Boys, YES, sex pistols, Queen... They compare it to Kanye, maybe, because they have heard 3 songs. Without the hype I believe he would even give it the 7 it deserves, it's not creative just grandiose.

[@bja808]

Idk if Anthony knows this, but this album is also a tribute to the underground ball scene in NYC. Like it really sounds like ball music to vogue to.

[@manlikemars2929]

The second half of this album is just insane

[@onyxrhodetahuri]

Renaissance will be Beyoncé’s Grammy AOTY win. The only artist who could top this album is herself.

[@JhuntdaProdigy]

On the first listen to the album, I definitely appreciated what she was doing, and there were songs I instantly loved like Cuff It and Energy, but other songs I didn’t necessarily feel one way or the other about. 7 listens later and damn near the whole album is a slap to me. I agree about the intro and the album losing steam toward the end, though I actually loved Heated, especially the Outro. Queen Bet really doesn’t miss.

[@danielletildamoro9706]

I'll say that as a hard-core RNB fan, I love 4, DIL, some of B'Day and all of Lemonade (Although not an RnB album). So at first listen, the album kind of gave me a weird feeling. The overly dominant and powerfully over confident Beyoncé and the strange vocals. But after each listen I understood why majority really loved it. I think this album has a Crack on it. I cannot stop listening to it and now challenging ST and Lemonade at her best LP yet.

[@peterstanchev3156]

Such a fantastic record. Cuff It is probably one of my favorite songs of the year, the chorus is so amazing too.

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

Cuff it to me is probably one of the best produced disco tracks of the last two decades. The chord changes, the harmonies, the overall carefree feeling. It's everything Disco needs to be

[@kimberlee3170]

Heated’s outro and Pure/Honey (mainly the Pure part) are very much inspired by ballroom culture, even an homage to the ballroom culture even.

[@BobV97]

*If Beyoncé called the album "Baroque" it'd be a 10*

[@Torbinsky]

These are the 33 scores from the records in the 2022 Loved List! 1- (STRONG 9) Viagra Boys - Cave World 2- (Decent to STRONG 9) Black Midi - Hellfire T3- (DECENT to Strong 9) Black Country,New Road - Ants From Up There Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems T5- (LIGHT to Decent 9) Baby - Petrol Girls Silvana Estrada - Marchita T7- (Strong 8 to a LIGHT 9) Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You Conway the Machine - God Don’t Make Mistakes 9- (STRONG 8 to a Light 9) billy woods - Aethiopes 10-(STRONG 8) Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul - Topical Dancer Chat Pile - God’s Country 12- (Decent to STRONG 8) Beyoncé’- Renaissance T-13 (DECENT to Strong 8) Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future FKA twigs - Caprisongs Gospel - The Loser Leikeli47 - Shape Up Lupe Fiasco - Drill Music in Zion Otoboke Beaver - Super Champon Spiritualized - Everything Was Beautiful T-20 (Light to DECENT 8) Artificial Brain - Self Titled Foxtails - fawn Kralice - Crystalline Exhaustion T-23 (LIGHT to Decent 8) Beach House - Once Twice Melody Pusha T - It’s Almost Dry T-25 (LIGHT 8) Daniel Rossen - You Belong There JER - Bothered / Unbothered Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers Wormrot - Hiss T-29 (Strong 7 to a LIGHT 8) Benny the Butcher - Tana Talk 4 Black Dresses - Forget Your Own Face Bladee & Ecco2k - Crest Kilo Kish - American Gurl The Weeknd - Dawn FM

[@tylerhackner9731]

My third favorite Beyoncé album besides self titled and Lemonade. Full of bops and yet so cohesive

[@princessofpigs]

Honestly no one makes cohesive albums anymore, the RnB genre has been tragically missing the story telling we grew up on. Let’s all give a standing ovation to Beyoncé for remembering that.

[@Shmo-kii]

Loved BEAM's part on ENERGY and songs like VIRGO'S GROOVE as well as ALIEN SUPERSTAR

[@ameliah3496]

The whole vibe of the album is just amazing, makes you wanna get up and vogue 😩

[@ThePokestopPapi]

💃🏽

[@TWBFBR18]

I like the Beyoncé and Lemonade albums more, but there are definitely some insanely catchy tracks here. It took me a while to warm up to it because I’m not big on dance/house music. But this album hits different in the car where you can feel the bass. I’ve had Church Girl on heavy rotation for days!

[@justmariakick]

My musical process - Listen to Reinassance - Love it - Search for Fantano's review - See yellow shirt - Happiness

[@inside1283]

“Break my soul” is a straight up (organ) bassline track. Most of you will be unfamiliar with the genre but it was massive in the uk during the noughties and it’s slowly creeping back into the mainstream

[@slatt__]

dont care what anyone says, this is peak beyonce

[@gbenzo12]

I WAS SO READY FOR THIS REVIEW!

[@nothingsnewunderthesun]

Coi Leray is Benzino. Born one month apart. fake picture with mason 🧱 . Benzino is 5'3, Coi is 5'2 this beef so that u LL never see them around together. they are the same person. Andrew Wiggins is "50 cent son" Marquise Jackson

[@nothingsnewunderthesun]

Would anyone believe me if I told you that Benzino and Coi Leray the same "person"? That these entities in Hollywood play different characters that you knew/love/ and a fan of?

[@nothingsnewunderthesun]

Coi Leray is Benzino. Born one month apart. fake picture with mason 🧱 . Benzino is 5'3, Coi is 5'2 this beef so that u LL never see them around together. they are the same person. Andrew Wiggins is "50 cent son" Marquise Jackson

[@nothingsnewunderthesun]

Would anyone believe me if I told you that Benzino and Coi Leray the same "person"? That these entities in Hollywood play different characters that you knew/love/ and a fan of? Coi Leray was Benzino the whole time. I did the Gematria and also they were supposedly born a month apart. Benzino is 5'3 and Coi is 5'2.

[@danielletildamoro9706]

People may not see Renaissance as ambitious as Lemonade or even her self titled album but after plenty of listens, this is actually one of her best and most cohesive albums with intricate production. This is definitely not the music I listen to, especially the genres, but she made me really appreciate the legends before her that inspired her to to do and some were even sampled. Now I can't even stop listening to this album. A feel good album with a ton of intentional artistic efforts.

[@jeremyv1445]

Renaissance to me was so good on first listen. I loved break my soul when it got released before the album but knowing the context behind this whole album has made the song so much better. I honestly believe this is my favorite Bey album and it’s a 9.5/10 for me. It’s close to being a 10 for me but we’ll see in these upcoming days. I’m shocked people don’t like heated a lot especially the chanting at the end of the song. It’s one of the best parts of the album imo. I hope Beyoncé continues this artistic growth with her other 2 projects that are apart of this trilogy she’s doing. She’s predicted to have her 7th consecutive #1 album and her first solo #1 song (since single ladies shocking) next week!

[@bluboy4ver2]

One of my favorite things about the album, that I observed after eating an edible and listening to it on my floor, is the incredible way it layers sounds. I have a huge appreciation for how she starts and ends the album. It starts with an accoutrement of modern trap beats and sounds which transition into afro beats which then transition into house beats on the song Cozy. She slowly sends you back and forth through time throughout the album. I can only describe it as a wave crashing on to the shore and with each pull of the tide it brings you further out into the past only to crash you back into the present. What I now love about the ending of Summer Renaissance is how it layers the three distinct sounds of the dance genres she references. There is an overlay of disco, house and EDM sounds to close out the album as a summary of it influences. I also noticed how she uses her vocals to play with the melodies. On some songs her vocals mimic the beats and other songs her vocals shift between referencing an era and then giving a modern reinterpretation. I feel like this album more so than any other of hers shows how much of a student of music she is.

[@SC2point0]

Yo Melon... idk have done this before, but it would be dope if you would show us your listening process. I'd like to see your set-up, and how you take notes to get ready to film a review. I appreciate the nuance and detail that you put into your reviews.

[@ChristopherJones1337]

I appreciate your take on all various genres of music. Would you think about doing a review for "Gaerea - Limbo" ?

[@iamian7919]

I’ll give this one a 10 tbh. Some serious creative work was put into this can’t lie

[@syntheticmemez7744]

Giving the album a positive review just because Beyonce says “Tony Fantano with the WAP” on “America Has A Problem” seems pretty biased, Anthony. Unsubscribed. Seriously tho this album is amazing.

[@biggnome4653]

This album is incredible. It’s an experience from front to back.

[@veeceey1073]

This is my AOTY and I can’t see anything beating this. Lemonade is still Bey’s magnum opus but I’m really interested to see Renaissance will hold up. Tracks I initially didn’t like as much (POTS, thique, AUIYM) have grown on me so much. This is at least a 9/10 imo.

[@PlayboiCartiAdLib]

Anthony, you can't just repeat saying "WHY CAN'T I BE THE HORSE!!!" for 10 minutes and call it a review! Beyoncé deserves better than that..

[@starmorpheus]

Trying too hard m8

[@C592andy]

Quite literally the most addictive body of work I've heard from her. Loved every minute of it!

[@Numbnuts007]

Loved this Beyoncé record! Was definitely a fantastic record, would love for you to review the new JD Beck and Domi record, it's so good!

[@meghansullivan6812]

Godddddd I love these reviews so much it’s technical and objective and informative yet still real and personal seeming

[@mageofstuff]

It’s insane how she’s 25 years into her career and she’s just released her best album

[@trumpettimes4115]

I liked how she started it off a bit slower with I’m that girl because it’s like the start of the night, it starts off slow, and then the album builds

[@therevrockinrollin]

This is her best album

[@pshsa5]

Been looking forward to your review! This album is a solid 9 to me. POTS into VIRGO'S GROOVE is just an incredible section of the album. I was surprised to hear you bored with HEATED; it took me right to the ballroom. Can't help but get hype! Much love. 🤙