Is 'Break My Soul' Beyoncé's Vacation in House Music?
What Can’t Beyonce do? The multi-GRAMMY award winner has seemingly accomplished everything there is to achieve in music, solidifying herself as a multi-generational talent and taste-maker, and indisputable industry leader. Almost 30 years and six critically-acclaimed albums later, the pop star is again making waves with the release of a brand new single, “Break My Soul.”
Her latest offering not only initiates the rollout of her seventh album, Renaissance but also sees Beyoncé stepping into a new sound—a sound focused on the rich history of dance music. Vocal house grew through the 80s, and 90’s as a sound that defined freedom of expression for Black people based in various city centers like New York, Detroit, and Chicago. The clubs in which this music flourished provided safe havens and community for marginalized groups to feel accepted and empowered.
“Break My Soul” channels that empowerment into a recaptured sound of the past. Effervescent synth work counters spirited piano bursts over a driving steadfast rhythm section. The Queen stands atop as the personification of power and resilience, declaring “You won’t break my soul,” between a series of uplifting but matter-of-fact verses that keep us positively brimming with revitalized self-confidence.
Is this inaugural single a sign of a new direction for Beyoncé’s latest project, or is this a one-off bolt of energy delivered just in time for your next summer soiree? More and more pop artists seem to be drifting into the dance music lane these days, so we’ll be curious to follow the rest of this rollout.
