Beyoncé, “Break My Soul” | Track Review

Beyoncé starts off her highly anticipated RENAISSANCE with an energetic, house-driven, summer pop/R&B joint, “Break My Soul.”

“R

elease your wiggle!” Woo!!! More like woo-hoo!!! Four words: THE QUEEN IS BACK! After six long years, the most awarded woman in Grammy history, Beyoncé has returned with brand-new original music (to be fair, she’s released The Lion King: The Gift and Homecoming: The Live Album in 2019).  Her RENAISSANCE (July 29, 2022) gets off to an electrifying start with “Break My Soul”. As you might expect, there is no shortage of writers in addition to Beyoncé including   Terius Nash ( The-Dream), Christopher “Tricky’ Stewart, and  Freddie Ross (aka Big Freedia).

The boisterous intro, performed by Big Freedia, instantly gets your attention (samples “Explode”, released in 2014). The intro gets you hyped for what’s to come (“I’m ‘bout to explode, take off this load / Bend it, bust it open, won’t ya make it go”). Once it establishes itself beyond that kickass intro, “Break My Soul” ends up being a house-driven pop/R&B joint. This is a contrast to what Beyoncé has served up in the past, but honestly, it’s a positive thing. The record sports an infectious, danceable groove, led by those beloved, archetypical house keys, bass synth, and beat. Beyoncé produces alongside The-Dream and Tricky Stewart (also credited as writers) – they kill it. Lyrically, “Break My Soul” features its fair share of inspirational lyrics, including the titular lyric (“You won’t break my soul”), as well as exudes confidence.

“Motivation

I’m lookin’ for a new foundation, yeah

And I’m on that new vibration

I’m buildin’ my own foundation, yeah

Hold up, oh, baby, baby.”

Besides singing, Beyoncé also serves up a rapped verse, keeping things interesting.  Furthermore, can’t fail to mention those lovely, harmonized backing vocals, sigh – such a V-I-B-E!  Honestly, there’s lots to heart.

---

Final Thoughts  

So, does Bey slay or does she fall flat? Well, we know that Beyoncé NEVER falls flat – it’s blasphemous to even think such a thing!  “Break My Soul” is different from the music the queen has released in the past, but I like the contrast.  Is it a vibe? Yes. Is it a bop? Also, yes! “Break My Soul” is ready-made for summer!

---

Beyoncé • RENAISSANCE • Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 7.29.22

[: Brent Faulkner, Columbia, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay, Parkwood Entertainment LLC]

---