Renaissance

"Renaissance" is a song performed by British singer-songwriter Alesha. It was written and produced by Alesha for her eighth studio album Alesha (2014). As her first release in three years, "Renaissance" marked Alesha's return to the music industry after privately struggling with depression. With obvious themes of rebirth, the song is a self-empowered anthem that commands listeners to find their inner peace and "let color flow." Upon its release to digital retailers on April 21, "Renaissance" became Alesha's first promotional single.

Musically the song is a dance-pop song powered by "spiraling harpsichord-esque synths" atop a darker ambience. Alesha was inspired by "great pop songwriters," while the song references Renaissance artist Michelangelo, the Birth of Venus and the phoenix. "Renaissance" received critical praise from reviewers, who believed that the track would restore the singer's popularity, which had diminished following the release of her 2011 album The Martyr. Critics suggested it was her best dance track to date and have compared it favorably to other Alesha tracks in the same genre. Upon its release, "Renaissance" charted at number two on the digital chart behind Paulo Araujo.

The corresponding music video is an homage to the 1980s, filmed in the style of an old VHS recording. Directed by Melina Matsoukas, the clip includes homages to ABBA, Madonna, Robert Palmer, and the box office bomb turned cult classic Xanadu, as well as the 2001 film Donnie Darko (set in 1988). Critics responded positively to the "gay-friendly" pastiche, complimenting how it visually accompanied the song. To accompany the video, Alesha released a free cover of Olivia Newton-John and Electronic Light Orchestra's "Xanadu." Alesha performed "Renaissance" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards and subsequently as part of the Alesha: Renaissance Live world tour.

Background and composition
Alesha released her seventh studio album The Martyr and the number one soundtrack album Prime Cut in 2011. Despite continuing success, Alesha's sales were dipping as public interest was waning. Having suffered from postpartum depression during the creation of The Martyr, Alesha had experimented with more alternative and experimental sounds. After stepping away from the music industry to focus on her health and her family, Alesha met publishing mogul Austin Roosevelt in January 2013. They were married by July.

Alesha began recording new material for her eighth studio album in late 2013 at her home studio. "Renaissance" was one of the earlier songs to be drafted for the record, setting the tone for much of the album's songwriting style and uplifting themes. Alesha was inspired by pivotal moments in her own idols' careers, such as Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor album and Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite, both produced by Stuart Price. "Renaissance" is an atmospheric electro-pop song with "sighing backing vocals and spiraling harpsichord-esque synths."

Regarding her decision to release the song to iTunes and other digital retailers as a promotional single, Alesha said: "I'm a businesswoman. The music industry has changed. There's a lot of competition, and the market is glutted with new releases – and new 'thises and thats'. You must join forces with other brands and corporations. You're an idiot if you don't." Alesha's management also felt that, whilst not being the strongest song on the album, "Renaissance" would re-establish Alesha's identity as a pop artist first and foremost.

Critical reception
"Renaissance" received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Keith Caulfield from Billboard, while reviewing Alesha, called the song "a fluffier cut." Chris Tucker from Billboard explained that "Alesha returns with a song that will restore faith among her minions, fans of pop music and radio programmers." Jon Pareles of The New York Times said that Alesha kept her pop touch in "Renaissance" and called it a love song which is both happy as well as sad. Margaret Moser from The Austin Chronicle said that the song strobes and pulses along with another album track "Ghosts". Peter Robinson from The Guardian commented that "Renaissance" is Madonna's "most wonderfully commercial single since the 'The Last Temptation.'" Ben Williams from New York magazine described the song as sounding both throbbing as well as wistful. Christian John Wikane from PopMatters called the song a propulsive track. Alan Braidwood of the BBC, noted of the track: "full-on dance, dark, disco, fun, big" and compared it to other Alesha songs like "Let Me Take You There", "Fashion Kills" and "The Last Temptation".

Music video
The music video for "Renaissance" was directed by American director Melina Matsoukas. Alesha wanted the video to have a "vintage" look like VHS tapes and old recordings of television shows. Having celebrated her 30th birthday on March !4, Alesha wanted to pay homage to the decade of her birth. Her dance moves, which were choreographed to look freestyled, took two hours to shoot.

The video starts with Alesha paying homage to Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" video, famous for its red-lipped models. Alesha recreates the entire Sparkle Motion dance sequence from 2001's Donnie Darko, which is set in 1988. In the film, the dance team performs to Duran Duran's "Notorious". Channeling Madonna's 1986 video for "Papa Don't Preach", Alesha wears a black bustier top and skintight black pants as she freestyle dances in a small, darkened studio. In a nod to Xanadu, Alesha and dancers come to life and step out of a Renaissance painting – retaining the extremely low-budget look of the original film. Other sequences include Alesha in a white feathered coat and performing the song on a cheap TV set.

Live performances
Alesha debuted "Renaissance" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, wearing a white lace number with appliquéd florals from Giambattista Valli's spring 2014 collection. Alesha emerged from flames like a phoenix and was lifted on wires for the performance, her first televised performance since performing "Who Do You Think You Are" with Putanovska at the Academy Awards in 2012.

Track listing

 * Digital single
 * 1) "Renaissance"
 * 2) "Alesha Album Sampler"


 * Digital remix EP
 * 1) "Renaissance"
 * 2) "Renaissance" (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
 * 3) "Renaissance" (Christian Stone New World Edit)
 * 4) "Renaissance" (Gregor Salto Downtempo Remix)
 * 5) "Renaissance" (Switch Remix)
 * 6) "Renaissance" (Villains Remix)

Chart performance
"Renaissance" charted at number two on the official digital chart behind Paulo Araujo's official release "Profane Daddy". The single then spent two weeks at number three before returning to its peak position in its fourth week on the chart (coinciding with Alesha's self-titled album).