The Renaissance is the eleventh Korean-language studio album (twelfth overall) by South Korean boy band Super Junior, released on March 16, 2021, by SM Entertainment. As part of their fifteenth anniversary, the album features the vocals of nine Super Junior members, which are Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun.
Contents
Background
On November 6, 2020, Super Junior pre-released the song "The Melody" to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Leeteuk and Yesung took part in writing the lyrics.
The album was originally planned to be released in December 2020. However, Label SJ dropped an official statement in their official Twitter account on December 9, 2020, stating that the release of the album had been delayed to January 2021. On January 8, 2021, Label SJ announced the release date of the album, which was set on February 16, 2021. However, Label SJ once again delayed the release of the album on February 1, 2021, due to unavoidable circumstances. It stated that the release of the album had been pushed back to March 16, 2021.
Promotion
Live performances
On March 16, 2021, Super Junior made their comeback, "Super Junior Comeback Show 'House Party'", through Mnet. They performed their title song, "House Party", in the show. They also performed their previous hit song, "U". On the same day, the group confirmed to film You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook after 11 years since their last group appearance.
Sales and reception
Critical reception
The Renaissance was met with generally positive reception. On her NME review, Ruby C gave the album four out of five stars, stating that the majority of the album after "House Party" had "fall[en] neatly under two contrasting concepts" that "form[ed] an interesting paradox": songs that showed the band's musical evolution, and songs that "evoke nostalgia".
Credits
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording (track 1, 4–5), digital editing (track 5), engineered for mix (track 5, 7, 9)
Doobdoob Studio – recording (track 1, 3–4, 7–10), digital editing (track 6, 8)
SM Booming System – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix, mixing (track 2)
SM LVYIN Studio – recording (track 4–6), digital editing (track 4), engineered for mix (track 4, 10), mixing (track 10)
SM SSAM Studio – recording (track 4), engineered for mix (track 1, 3, 6, 8)
Prelude Studio – recording (track 9)
Seoul Studio – recording (track 9)
SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing (track 1, 8)
SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing (track 3, 6–7)
SM Big Shot Studio – mixing (track 4)
SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing (track 5, 9)
821 Sound – mastering (track 1, 3–10)
Sonic Korea – mastering (track 2)
Personnel