The Best, Funniest Reactions to Beyonce's Album Renaissance
As to be expected, Beyoncé's seventh studio album, "Renaissance," broke the internet when it dropped on July 29. Online, fans and celebs (not to mention critics) are singing its praises.
Whereas Beyoncé surprised fans with the albums "Beyoncé" (2013) and "Lemonade" (2016), the singer gave us a two month-long heads-up for "Renaissance." Fans had a chance get excited and speculate about the songs based on the tracklist.
The resulting songs are anthems to self-love, infused with disco (and Donna Summer) and beats that demand a dance floor.
Below, find some of the funniest, most enthusiastic reactions that "Renaissance" has garnered since its release.
A 'skipless' album: How fans are celebrating 'Renaissance'
On social media, fans hailed "Renaissance" as an artistic triumph. One user wrote: “beyoncé going to bed tonight knowing that #RENAISSANCE is one of the strongest bodies of work released this century”
beyoncé going to bed tonight knowing that #RENAISSANCE is one of the strongest bodies of work released this century pic.twitter.com/0BWwqNpNGk
— Azula’s Therapist (@ohgodjohnwhy) July 29, 2022
More than an album, Beyoncé fans are calling "Renaissance" a "project," an entire "body of work" in album form.
Beyoncé is an album artist. I’m sorry. WHAT A PROJECT. The transitions. WOW.
— Desmond (@vincentdesmond_) July 28, 2022
Nah Beyoncé made a PROJECT. This is a BODY OF WORK. The transitions? The production? I love it!
— naledi (@naledimashishi) July 28, 2022
From start to finish this album is a MASTER CLASS. In finesse. In syncopation. In transition. In Black cultural revelry. In world making. In sensorial landscaping. In PLAY. In pleasure. In subversion.
This is a WORK OF ART. A BODY OF WORK. What a time to be alive!! #RENAISSANCE— Black Poetix as Prescription (@YesAurielle) July 29, 2022
One Twitter user described the album as "the total package" ... "excellence, 80s disco meets retro, basking in the sun while sipping endlessly on cocktails, shimmering disco lights reflecting on our bodies."
Beyoncé has given us excellence, 80s disco meets retro, basking in the sun while sipping endlessly on cocktails, shimmering disco lights reflecting on our bodies as we shake dat ass. she’s giving us the total package.🪩 #Beyonce #RENAISSANCE pic.twitter.com/3MdJOs7HKg
— 🐝 x 💜 (@hourlybeytan) July 29, 2022
It's not easy to make a "skipless album," but fans are suggesting Beyonce just did. “Beyoncé didn’t just make 'a' skipless album, she made a 16 TRACK ALBUM SKIPLESS," one wrote.
Beyoncé didn’t just make “a” skipless album, she made a 16 TRACK ALBUM SKIPLESS.
— kira jackson is pure thique honey 🍯 (@thekirajackson) July 29, 2022
She is, as one Twitter user wrote, an "architect of sound" and a "magician," creating an "exhilaratingly brilliant" album.
Simply put, Beyoncé is a magician! She is truly an architect of sound, working on a GENIUS level to concoct sonic brilliance like a mad scientist. #Renaissance is not only exhilaratingly brilliant, it’s a ballsy FUCK YOU to any box you place before her.
— JIGGAMAN. (@imtoomuchnigga) July 29, 2022
A feeling of appreciation reigned among fans. “What we’re witnessing is so rare. A generational artist who has carved out a sound over the year and is still somehow relevant and fresh. Like my mom, sisters and kids love her?? We’re literally so lucky,” one Twitter user wrote.
What we’re witnessing is so rare. A generational artist who has carved out a sound over the year and is still somehow relevant and fresh. Like my mom, sisters and kids love her?? We’re literally so lucky.
— melody (@melodyadjei) July 29, 2022
The transitions are getting their own shoutouts
The songs on "Renaissance" are getting individual reactions — and so are the transitions between songs.
Beyonce and these tender ass fall off the bone transitions.. pic.twitter.com/GkY2xtD1qm
— THIQUE (@ScottieBeam) July 29, 2022
The sequence between “Cuff It," "Energy," and "Break My Soul" is especially lauded.
The transition from Cuff It, Energy, & Break My Soul! ✨#Renaissance pic.twitter.com/u9CEJeGemc
— 🌹✨R_Le’Rose🌹✨ (@r_lerose) July 29, 2022
the transitions between cuff it, energy, and break my soul??? OH BEYONCÉ IS HER! pic.twitter.com/RG3NVdZsN1
— BIG ENERGY (@anasbirkin) July 29, 2022
The contrast between "Alien Superstar" and "Church Girl" spurred another meme.
transition from church girl to alien superstar💯💯💯 pic.twitter.com/kkFNHhooMc
— Rob (@sirlovedrought) July 27, 2022
Celebrities shared their reactions to 'Renaissance' in real time, too
Turns out celebrities are just like us — they wake up early to listen to "Renaissance," too.
In the early morning of July 29, Grammy-winning artist SZA posted on her Instagram story: "Me rethinking my entire creative process after being freed from monotonous sonic bondage by Beyoncé."
SZA on #RENAISSANCE via Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/NJUJ2bKQmC
— Beyoncé Updates (@beyonceupdtes) July 29, 2022
Jimmy Fallon wrote a letter to Beyoncé on his late night show. "Is it OK to release something this fire during a heat wave?”
Jimmy Fallon thanks #Beyonce for thé release of #RENAISSANCE
“Is it ok to release something this fire during a heat wave” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jj6jbt1hHH— Hermiden (@IChoseViolences) July 29, 2022
And, writer, creator and star of Emmy nominated TV show "Abbott Elementary" sung her praises of "Renaissance," wishing she could dance to the disco-inspired tracks:" (Really) want to go out and dance tonight but also (really) afraid of all the viruses."
wow reallllly want to go out and dance tonight but also reallllly afraid of all the viruses #RENAISSANCE
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) July 29, 2022
The funniest reactions to 'Renaissance'
Beyoncé said that she spent quarantine working on new music, inspiring one user to tweet, "lock us back up!"
If this what Beyoncé was doing in the house the whole quarantine, LOCK US BACK UP!!!!!!
— Urethra Franklin III (@SpideRhon) July 29, 2022
Each of album's 16 songs is garnering its own reactions. Bestselling author Bolu Babalola contributed to the conversation around “Church Girl,” a sexy song with a misleading title.
Not Beyoncé dropping an anthem for the Jesus loving spicy girls. She said I was down by the river I was shaking dat ass
— Bolu Babalola 🍯🌶 (@BeeBabs) July 29, 2022
"Alien Superstar," naturally, is inspiring some extraterrestrial-themed memes.
Me heading to the dance floor when they play Alien Superstar #RENAISSANCE pic.twitter.com/hIeoVF1s3x
— Work of Art OUT NOW (@Drebae_) July 29, 2022
Aliens hearing Alien Superstar pic.twitter.com/b052sLmUby
— ✨ (@heyjaeee) July 29, 2022
"America Has a Problem" has been especially buzzy — fans were expecting a political anthem and instead got a sexy song.
The fact we all thought "America has a Problem" was gonna be political when Beyoncé basically said... "I'm the baddest bitch in America, and I'm THEE problem!"
— Urethra Franklin III (@SpideRhon) July 29, 2022
Some called Beyoncé a "troll" for the move.
she is such a troll for naming that song america has a problem 💀
— ke (@sokinematic) July 29, 2022
Finally, fans want a visual album stat
In a press release, Beyoncé confirmed that a visual component to "Renaissance" was on the way, which she did for albums "Lemonade," "Beyoncé" and "The Lion King: The Gift" in "Black Is King" — but some fans want it now. "
Ok im sorry beyonce i need this album to be a visual album 😭😭… sorry we are spoiled but it’s your fault
— Bru (@khinono12) July 28, 2022
I need Beyoncé to make this into a visual album ASAP
— Cat (@TheCatAlexandra) July 29, 2022