The pop-R&B singer’s long-awaited debut follows a line from crippling self-doubt to pure confidence, adopting a glossy and funky vibe fortified by her exceptional voice and songwriting.

The 20-year-old UK producer broke out on TikTok with snippet-sized songs that ache with nostalgia for the recent past. Her intimate, lived-in music succeeds where cheaper imitations fail.

The genre mixology concocts big, brilliant tunes with trance, indie, ‘90s alt-rock, ‘00s soft-rock – and much more – by lacing by them with undeniable hooks

Glass Heart
앨범 선공개 곡 Glass Heart는 선예의 진솔한 감정이 담긴 미디엄 템포 R&B 트랙이다. 깨질듯 약해 보이지만 투명해서 감추는 것 없이 그 속이 다 들여다 보이는, 연약하지만 솔직하게 있는 그대로그 마음을 표현하며 사랑하는 이와 함께 더 나은 미래를 향해 나아가길 꿈꾸는 내용을 담고 있다. 귀에 맴도는 가사와 아련한 멜로디가 공간감 있는 패드와 더해져 정통 미디엄템포 R&B를 현대적인 무드로 재해석하고 있다.
[Credit]
Lyrics by 박상훈, Vanessa Campagna, 선예, 김예랑
Composed by Vanessa Campagna, Cali Rodi, 박상훈
Arranged by pollock, Henny, 박상훈
Drum programmed by pollock
Bass & Guitar performed by Henny
Piano & Keyboard performed by pollock, Henny
Synthesizer performed by John Chu
Background vocal & Chorus performed by PERRIE
Track presented by 이호린 @Bassment Music
Recorded by 김민희 @821 Sound
Digital editing by 이지호 @821 Sound
Mixed by 마스터키 @821 Sound
Mastered by 권남우 @821 Sound Mastering

独一无二、强悍性感——Beyoncé 希望你听《RENAISSANCE》的时候能带走这些感受。这是她的第七张个人专辑，创作于新冠疫情比较严重的时期，可她却全身心投入了 House 舞曲的怀抱，用这 16 首歌承载解放自我、肯定自我、释放天性、无畏自信的信念，渴望为自由喝彩。《RENAISSANCE》整体氛围轻松的同时能量满满，就像周五晚上下了班，终于可以出门嗨一下，无数种可能性在蠢蠢欲动一样。重点是，专辑告诉我们，不必再去在意他人的目光、满足他人的期待，完全做你自己就好！
专辑的体量庞大，却细致地将丰富的音乐语言统合在一起，昂扬的乐段轮番上阵，让人立刻忘我地沉浸在音乐当中。主打歌《BREAK MY SOUL》分别采样了 Robin S. 和 Big Freedia 的曲子，four-on-the-floor 的经典 House 节奏贯穿始终；Afro-tech 单曲《MOVE》请到了时尚与音乐传奇人物 Grace Jones 和歌手 Tems 前来助阵；《CUFF IT》则把我们的记忆带到了轮滑迪斯科舞厅盛行的那个年代。
专辑也不乏温柔私密的瞬间。甜美的情歌《PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA》里，吉他和人声上演了精妙的对话，Beyoncé 得以充分发挥她精湛的唱功。她轻声细语地唱道：“我知道只要在我身边，你就会情不自禁卸下伪装。”（I know you can’t help but to be yourself around me.）有如夏日的野餐会上，耳畔传来的悄悄话。融合 R&B、Gospel 和 Hip-Hop 的《CHURCH GIRL》，则讲述了一个脱离苦海的故事：“我终于过了这关/我终于重展笑颜/我终于游过那片属于我和你的泪海。”（I’m finally on the other side/I finally found the extra smiles/Swimming through the oceans of tears we cried.）
与此同时，和 Beyoncé 的许多作品一样，《RENAISSANCE》坚定地为黑人身份喝彩。比如《COZY》就是一位自洽的女性送给自己的箴言，Beyoncé 在副歌部分思索道：“悦纳我的肤色/悦纳我的内在。”（Comfortable in my skin/Cozy with who I am）《PURE/HONEY》则展现了 Ballroom 文化的方方面面，歌曲前半段加入变装表演时 MC 应和音乐的说唱（chant），以及（美国变装皇后）Kevin Aviance 的语音采样，后半段则长驱直入，完全陶醉在迪斯科的氛围中，想必这首歌立马会在舞池受到热捧。《PURE/HONEY》铺陈好气氛，就轮到专辑收尾曲《SUMMER RENAISSANCE》登场了。这首歌采样了 Donna Summer 70 年代的迪斯科金曲《I Feel Love》，它自身或许就是一个支点，要把逃离现实的幻梦，推向遥远的、看不见的未来。