It’s finally here. Beyoncé’s highly anticipated seventh studio album, Renaissance, is available now. It’s her first proper album since 2016’s culture-shifting album, Lemonade.
The 16-track album includes the lead single “Break My Soul,” co-produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. The empowering anthem scored Beyoncé a historic milestone on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. During the week of July 9, “Break My Soul” peaked at No. 7, earning Beyoncé her 20th top 10 hit as a solo act. She became the first woman to reach the top 10 on the Hot 100 at least 20 times as a solo act and 10 times as a group member. The song also broke into the top 10 at R&B radio.
Renaissance also includes features from Grace Jones, Tems and BEAM. In terms of songwriters and producers, Beyoncé worked with BloodPop®, Dixson, Drake, Hit-Boy, JAY-Z, Leven Kali, Lucky Daye, Mike Dean, Nija Charles, No I.D., Raphael Saadiq, Sabrina Claudio, Sevn Thomas, Syd, Tems, The Neptunes and more.
Beyoncé has spent the last three years recording Renaissance, which is the first part of a three-act project. There are no details available regarding the timing of the other two acts.
“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” says Beyoncé. “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.”
Unlike her previous two surprise albums (BEYONCÉ and Lemonade), Renaissance isn’t supplied with visuals — yet. According to a press release, visuals are set to premiere at a later date.
Stream Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance below.