'Renaissance' review: Beyonce lets loose but fails to grip old fans

However, the album is likely to inspire millions of dance videos on social media

Beyonce's long-awaited seventh studio album was released on Friday. Getty Images

After addressing personal and social traumas in previous works such as Lemonade (2016) and her self-titled album in 2013, Beyonce’s new opus finds her burning away all the tension on the dance floor.

Renaissance, which was released on Friday, is designed to leave you in a sweaty heap with a bevy of tracks laced with basslines so thick and heavy it will test the sturdiest of sound systems.

But this is Beyonce we are talking about. Surely there is more to her new release than merely letting loose?

Apparently not.

Perhaps in an effort to tame expectation and critique from fans and media, Beyonce prefaced the release by stating it comes with no grand ambition other than to make people “release the wiggle".

“My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement,” she said.

“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.”

Here are three things to know about Renaissance, Beyonce’s most euphoric release to date:

1. It is immaculately produced

Beyonce is not the first major pop star to take cues from dance music culture during the pandemic.

Dua Lipa brought the sounds of underground clubs to the masses with her blockbuster album Future Nostalgia in March 2020, followed up two months later by Lady Gaga’s weaker offering, Chromatica.

Drake also joined the action when releasing Honestly, Nevermind last month, a partly thrilling yet divisive release full of house and techno tracks.

Renaissance distinguishes itself in being serious about its sonic ambitions.

The production is so startlingly impressive, one hopes an instrumental version of the album is made available soon.

Featuring a varied list of producers, ranging from The Dream and EDM DJ Skrillex to hip-hop hit-makers Hit-Boy and Boi-1da, the 16 tracks veer and lurch from sunny to hedonistic stompers spiked with some of Beyonce's raunchiest lyrics to date.

When it comes to the radio-friendly tracks, you can’t go past Cuff It.

Featuring funky guitar riffs reminiscent of Get Lucky by Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers — indeed, the Chic frontman is listed as a co-writer — the track is destined to be a hit and a favourite of backyard barbecues with Beyonce cooing: “Have you ever had fun like this?”

Alien Superstar and Pure/Honey represent the more esoteric and experimental aspects of the album.

The former begins with a disorienting avalanche of rapid-fire beats before Beyonce arrives with a vocal performance mixing spoken word and the kind of electro-tinged crooning recalling the synthetic sounds of Swedish singer Tove Lo.

Pure/Honey rides on an almost tribal beat and darting synth and basslines before melting into a blissful disco-inspired chorus.

So much for being “free of perfectionism", Renaissance is meticulous in its craft and execution.

2. It will inspire millions of memes and dance videos

It is not surprising Beyonce joined TikTok earlier this month, while allowing her music to become available on the platform.

The slogan heavy lyrics and thrilling beat changes abounding Renaissance should inspire millions of dance videos and sonic memes on TikTok and Instagram.

With brilliant lead single Break My Soul already setting social media alight, expect the percolating sounds of Cozy to appear on your feed sometime soon as users intone Beyonce's sultry vocals when stating: "I'm comfortable in my skin, cosy with who I am.”

The strident Move is also a potential social media winner with a walloping chorus in which disco diva Grace Jones fiercely declares: "Move out the way, I'm with my girls and we all need space / When the queens come through, don't try like the rest say.”

And, if you are looking for blissful piece of electronic music to soundtrack videos of everything from evening walks to cats destroying furniture, the throbbing opening minute of Virgo’s Groove should do the trick.

3. It’s good, but no classic

Despite all the riches on offer, Renaissance is more gruelling than thrilling.

Just more than an hour in length, the album could have cut a few tracks, such as the overindulgent Thique and All Up in Your Mind, to elevate its potency to blistering levels.

Then again, these are minor gripes aimed at an artist so in command of her craft and quality control that even a mere "good" album from Beyonce is a cause for celebration.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Beyonce's style evolution over the years

Destiny's Child, featuring Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, Beyonce Knowles and LeToya Luckett, at the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles, California, on September 3, 1998. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in contrasting denim, in Los Angeles, California, on February 21, 2000. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in neutral hues, at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards in California on February 23, 2000. Getty Images

Beyonce, in leather trousers, and jazz guitarist Chris Spencer pose at the Black Sports Agents Association press conference on May 9, 2000 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in lemon dresses, arrive at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards on September 2, 2000, in Santa Monica, California. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in leather ensembles, arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall on September 7, 2000. Getty Images

Michelle Williams, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, in all black separates, at the 43rd annual Grammy nominations press conference on January 3, 2001 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in flamboyant prints, at the 28th annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2001. Getty Images

Beyonce, in scarlet sequins, attends the 58th annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on January 21, 2001 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images

Destiny's Child, in khakis, at Nickelodeon's 14th annual Kid's Choice Awards on April 21, 2001 in Santa Monica, California. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a floral midi, arrives at the premiere of 'Charlies Angels: Full Throttle' at the Odeon Cinema on July 1, 2003 in London. Getty Images

Beyonce, in orange strapless velour, leaves Radio 1 on July 4, 2003 in London. Getty Images

Beyonce, in fur-trimmed leather, attends the MTV Europe Music Awards at Ocean Terminal on November 6, 2003 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images

Beyonce, in pink ruffles, at the MTV Europe Music Awards at Ocean Terminal on November 6, 2003 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a classic LBD, attends 'The Fighting Temptations' premiere at The Empire Leicester Square on November 12, 2003 in London. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a corseted gown, attends a VH1 party at the Universal Ampitheatre on November 20, 2003, in Los Angeles. EPA

Beyonce, in a pink mini, arrives at the French NRJ Music Awards ceremony at the Palais des Festivals on January 24, 2004 in Cannes, France. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a golden gown, arrives at the Brit Awards at Earls Court on February 17, 2004 in London. Getty Images

Beyonce, in cornflower blue satin, attends a party to unveil the new Tommy Hilfiger women's fragrance at The Albion Riverside on June 21, 2004 in London. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a gilded shorts suit, arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, on August 29, 2004. EPA

Destiny's Child, in jeans and very Noughties boots, promote their new album 'Destiny Fulfilled' at Hotel Palace on November 10, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

Beyonce, in jeans and a checked blazer, attends a press conference on November 30, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Versace, arrives at the 77th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 27, 2005. EPA

Beyonce, in a tangerine mini, attends the premiere of the new Pepsi advert at Circulo de Belles Artes on February 23, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a floral midi, attends the opening of Samantha Thavasa's flagship shop on April 17, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Beyonce, in House of Dereon, attends the 'Dreamgirls' premiere at the Martinez Hotel during the 59th international Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2006 in Cannes, France. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Armani, arrives at the Emporio Armani show at Earls Court as part of London Fashion Week on September 21, 2006 in London, England. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a lace-panelled midi, at the UK Music Hall Of Fame at Alexandra Palace on November 14, 2006 in London, England. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Elie Saab, at the 49th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 11, 2007. EPA

Beyonce, in Armani Prive, arrives for the 79th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 25, 2007. EPA

Beyonce, in jeans, arrives at Incheon Airport on November 8, 2007, in Seoul, South Korea. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Elie Saab, arrives at the 50th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. EPA

Beyonce, in Gareth Pugh, arrives for the MTV Europe Music Awards, held at the Echo Arena on November 6, 2008 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Beyonce, in a voluminous black gown, attends the 40 Principales Awards at Palacio de los Deportes on December 12, 2008 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

Beyonce, in House of Dereon, arrives at the 81st Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 22, 2009. EPA

Beyonce, in a sculpted mini, and Solange Knowles at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel on August 10, 2009 in Chiba, Japan. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Versace, arrives for the MTV Europe Music Awards held at the O2 Arena on November 5, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images

Beyonce, wearing Stephane Rolland, arrives at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on January 31, 2010. EPA

Beyonce, in Pucci, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2011. EPA

Beyonce, in Lanvin, arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 28, 2011. EPA

Beyonce, in House of Dereon, at the launch of House of Dereon by Beyonce and Tina Knowles at Selfridges on September 17, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Givenchy, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 7, 2012. EPA

Beyonce, in Osman, arrives at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2013. EPA

Beyonce, in Givenchy, attends the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA

Salma Hayek Pinault, Frida Giannini and Beyonce, in Gucci, at the Chime For Change: The Sound of Change Live concert at Twickenham Stadium on June 1, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images

Beyonce, in Michael Costello, at the 56th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on January 26, 2014. EPA

Beyonce, in Givenchy, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2014. EPA

Beyonce, in Zuhair Murad, arrives at the 31st MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on August 24, 2014. EPA

Beyonce, in Proenza, arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA

Beyonce, in Givenchy, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA

Beyonce, in Peter Dundas, at the 59th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 12, 2017. EPA

Beyonce, in Francesco Scognamiglio, arrives at the 33rd MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 28, 2016. EPA

Beyonce, in cobalt suiting, attends game six of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on June 16, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images

Beyonce, in all white, attends the NBA Western Conference Semifinals basketball game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on April 28, 2018. EPA

Beyonce, in Alexander McQueen, attends the 'The Lion King' premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 9, 2019. EPA

Beyonce, in Nguyen Cong Tri, attends the premiere of Disney's 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images