
“New Beyoncè Album.” Few phrases hold as much culture-shaking importance. They’re right up there with “Ryan Gosling is a Ken Doll” and “Taco Bell Will Bring Back the Mexican Pizza.” And, just like those stirring proclamations, this one is true. Tidal announced that Mrs. Carter is returning on July 29 with a brand new project called Renaissance: Act I and …that’s all we know.
Beyoncé
RENAISSANCE
July 29 pic.twitter.com/ZenmtPQM9W— TIDAL (@TIDAL) June 16, 2022
Of course, “Act I” certainly presupposes the existence of an “Act II”, but that’s purely theoretical right now. All we know is that Bey’s first solo album since 2016 is just a month away. Don’t expect too many more details from the famously secretive superstar. In fact, a four week heads’ up is pretty generous by Beyoncé standards, who has been dropping albums with little to know warning ever since we all woke up to the reality of her self-titled 2013 album. Lemonade followed in 2016, along with collaborations with her husband in 2018 and the Homecoming live album/documentary that followed the prep and performance of her era-defining Coachella set. In 2021, she became the most Grammy’d woman of all time, surpassing the record held by Allison Krauss. She also appeared in Jon Favreau’s Lion King remake and contributed to that soundtrack as well.
All that to say, you never know what this woman is going to do next, but once it happens, you won’t find anyone who doesn’t know about it. Beyoncé is back. It’s about time.