Beyoncé released “Break My Soul,” the infectious dance single from her seventh studio album “Renaissance,” which is set for release on July 29.
The singer produced the nearly five-minute track alongside contributors Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, providing a song that celebrates new beginnings after navigating through a world of suffering and grief for the past two years, Billboard reported. “Break My Soul” is an ode to Black culture and house music, a particular genre that LGBTQ+ communities often used in clubs to dance and escape the burdens of the outside world.
Beyoncé composed the track using a sample from the house-inspired ’90s hit “Show Me Love” by Robin S., released in 1993. Big Freedia, the queen of bounce music, can be heard on the single encouraging those to let go of everything that no longer serves them while embracing rebirths in their lives. “Release your anger, release your mind/ Release your job, release the time/ Release your trade, release the stress/ Release the love, forget the rest,” the rapper echoed.
Beyoncé's "Break My Soul" samples Robin S.'s "Show Me Love," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1993, nearly 30 years ago.
Black women
house music
— heran mamo / ሄራን ማሞ (@heranmamo) June 21, 2022
Earlier in the record, the 40-year-old sings, “I just fell in love and I just quit my job / I’m gonna find new drive, damn they work me so damn hard,” referring to the many listeners who may have found themselves in situations that call for encouragement. “Work by nine / Then off past five / And they work my nerves / That’s why I cannot sleep at night,” she continues.
While some may find it challenging to tap into the healing process following life-changing events, Beyoncé motivates her listeners with a sympathetic reminder: “If you don’t seek it, you won’t see it, that we all know/ If you don’t think it, you won’t be it, that love ain’t yours/ Tryna fake it, never makes it, that we all know.”
As the world slowly returns to normalcy while maintaining health precautions, the Houston native recalls wearing a mask as one of the much-needed items when engaging in outside activities. “Worldwide hoodie with the mask outside,” she raps. “In case you forgot how we act outside.”
Twitter users praised the singer for releasing “Break My Soul,” the feel-good track that many have already viewed as an inspiration to “release” everything, including their jobs.
Beyoncé may not come when you want her to, but she's always on time. "You won't break my soul" is the most fitting affirmation for these wild ass times. Whatever it is that's trying to break you, RELEASE IT!
— Sylvia (@SylviaObell) June 21, 2022
when Beyoncé had Big Freedia say “release your job, release the time, release your trade” in break my soul she was urging the masses to organize a general strike this summer. In this essay I will…
— luscious midwestern corn-fed mf (@vctrahll) June 21, 2022
interviewer: “so, @Beyonce what do you want your listeners to take away from “break my soul?”
Beyoncé: pic.twitter.com/7Gr9aFH48O
— uncle johnny (@heyjohnnyb_) June 21, 2022
When your pastor preaches Beyoncé “Break My Soul”. pic.twitter.com/8bI1DF1Uww
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) June 21, 2022
Is she telling us to quit our jobs?? Because I will, Beyoncé, I will! pic.twitter.com/K6lbMWCBoJ
— Bran., MA, M.Ed (@HeyyBran) June 21, 2022
Former first lady Michelle Obama also tweeted about how much she loved the song.
Queen @Beyonce, you’ve done it again! “Break My Soul” is the song we all need right now, and I can't help but dance and sing along while listening to it. Can’t wait for the album!
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 21, 2022
Beyoncé dropped hints regarding her new album in 2021 during an interview with Harper Baazar. “With all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again,” she said. “I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible.”
She took to Instagram last week and teased the title of the upcoming album and changed her social media profiles to “act i Renaissance 7.29,” prompting fans to brace themselves for new music on the way, Sis2Sis reported. The new project is expected to have 16 tracks featuring dance and country music songs with One Republic’s Ryan Tedder and singer-songwriter Raphael Saadiq as contributors.
