RENAISSANCE
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Every time we wonder how will Beyoncé top herself. Well we don’t have to wonder no more. Her craft has evolved so much that Beyoncé is in a league all by herself. Her music is nothing like what we hear in the mainstream today. He value for production and appreciation of what came before her makes this album a genuine piece of work. Beyoncé continues to push the limits of herself making music for her fans and not what is “hot” or considered the norm. Her ability to cohesively make work that goes well as single entity is amazing. I consider this one of her best piece of work so far and I can’t wait to see what the Act II and III entails. Well done Beyoncé'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Club Renaissance is finally open and what a once in a lifetime moment Queen Bey has created with this lively vibrant body of Art. Even with a pesky album leak a couple days prior to it\'s release, the real Beyhive held it down and didn\'t sneak into the club too early despite the temptation to hear the magical sounds that make up Act I of this musical journey. RENAISSANCE (the first act in a sprawling genre swirling trilogy of albums) is dirty decadent "Disco Trap" (as Queen Bey coins her newest sound in the spirited and powerful groove "Heated"). RENAISSANCE is fantasy (vogue worthy "Alien Superstar"), RENAISSANCE is dreamy (honey sweet jazzy jam "Plastic Off The Sofa"), sweaty (the Grace Jones and Tems assisted night out anthem "Move"), sexy (hypnotic and funky album centerpiece "Virgo\'s Groove" which unfolds like three excellent songs in one) and luxurious self-affirming escapism in a time we need it most. Creatively curated during the pale bleakness of the pandemic, it makes sense why the album is energetically neon-drenched and dripping with glittering finery, RENAISSANCE is meant to be a hyper stylistic jolt of aspirational hope for enriching fun and living life fully present. The music is invigorating, enthralling (Beyoncé delivers such fresh vocal compositions here and sophisticated sonic structures around her voice, exercising it in ways she rarely does) and inspires unphased self-confidence and self-resilience. It feels like your ears and entire being are stepping into a modern-day ultra-chic Studio 54 of Beyoncé\'s wildest dreams and Club Renaissance is her answer to fill that void, where no hate or harmful shade will be tolerated. To fully appreciate this beautiful album, one must know the gorgeous history and legacy of Black Queer culture (specifically the late 70\'s to early 90\'s New York Ballroom scene and it\'s bawdy brazen House music), various textures of African music like Afrobeat, some Afropunk, Southern Hip-Hop/Bounce and Soul that inspires it. Beyoncé and her creative collaborators made it a point to shine a comprehensive light on the Black Queer creatives and allies that made it possible for this music to be created in the first place. This is why "Break My Soul" featuring sampled vocals from Big Freedia encouraging us to "release the wiggle," and a sample of "Show Me Love" by Robin S. (a huge 90\'s House classic) being the first single near the end of Pride month sets such a strong tone. While the album is not political in an obvious way, much-needed messages of pride, self-love (sleek, snapping and sassy T.S. Madison vocal sampling "Cozy"), unjudged and unrestricted bodily autonomy (the raucous and layered "Church Girl"), aware sexual freedom (deliciously distorted and most experimental track "All Up In Your Mind") and liberation are at the core of the songs. These real-life inspirations are what birthed House music. RENAISSANCE act i much like House music is about liberation, joy, building community and sharpening that inner ferocity within to fight whatever or whoever may seek to oppress one\'s truth. From the first song to the last Bey gives us the soundtrack to elevate past the peril we battle. Personally, this album makes me feel very happy, many of the songs make me smile and scream with glee and I must say RENAISSANCE act i is a new all-time favorite for me. RENAISSANCE makes me feel alive and fired up to be even stronger and inspires a personal reinvigorated renaissance; one where I go for all the luxury in all it\'s meanings that I deserve that life offers.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Beyoncé has really out did herself with this highly anticipated album. This musical masterpiece takes you back to the party days in the 90s and the Ballroom scenes of the 80s! Even though all her albums are different from one another, this one has to be one of her most thought out and sonically one. The music transitions are chef kiss and it's like a giant DJ Set! 5 stars!"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I\'ve been a forever Beyonce fan and for me everything she does is gold but I can\'t even describe how much I love Renaissance. Out of all her albums this one is one of my Top 3 albums. I love the disco 70s, Bad Bitch come through vibes. There\'s not one song I don\'t like though I am disappointed that "Move" which is an African tempo song, I wish it could\'ve been longer for the simple fact that Grace Jones graced this song and it\'s amazing. Whether your Beyonce fan or not noone can ever take away her talent and her hard working ambition that\'s been killing the game for over 20 years now. If you wanna just dance or if you need a boost of confidence then listen to this album. She did that and as always she did it fiercely and left no crumbs!\n\nTop favorite songs\nMove\nThique\nChurch Gurl\nBreak My Soul\nAlien Superstar\nAll up in your mind\nAmerica has a problem\nI\'m that girl'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I love Bey. This is a cardboard album cover with 2 small photos of Bey looking like a queen. This album was inspired by her gay uncle. With that in mind, it’s very club like with the beats. The messages of her lyrics are positivity, loving yourself, & own your life. I liked lemonade better, but I still enjoyed this first act - Looking forward to act ii & act iii.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Loooooove the sound she went with in this album. Every song is so good. 0 skips. Can't wait for act ii and iii"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Wow, GREAT album!!! Beyoncé keeps evolving as an artist. Each album gets better. In my opinion, her best album so far. I love the concept for this album. I love that true artists are still making albums, let alone albums with a cohesive concept driving the production. As such, the whole album is like one long single (like Prince's Lovesexy) that seamlessly weaves together so many different influences and genres (house, gospel, hip hop, funk, disco, techno, etc.). My favorite tracks are Thique, Cuff It, and Break My Soul, but the WHOLE album is 🔥. A true Artist. A true Queen. Can't wait for Acts II and III."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "My first Beyonce disc and it's absolutely terrific. A distinct and forceful world. The direct quote from Donna Summers at the end its almost hearbreaking. A great piece of work."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'The vocal, layers, stacking and harmonies are really amazing. The production, instrumentation and musicality was top tier.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Superb album. I'm really glad I purchased the hard copy before she started making edits. For those saying no real r&b... Plastic on the Sofa! Are you kidding me? Vocals are next level. And yes she swears. She's a 40 year old mother of 3, the woman can use profanity if she likes, this album ain't for kids anyway!"}]