Beyoncé is continuing her sonic exploration into the country genre after perfecting her unique spin on house beats in the first installment of her Renaissance project.
The 32-time Grammy winner released two singles on Feb. 9 and 10, titled “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” respectively, both of which possess a soulful western swing that gives fans a taste of what to expect in the second installment of “Renaissance,” set to release on March 29.
“It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving,” Beyoncé said in a 2022 Instagram post where she spoke on her experience making “Renaissance.” “It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
The Texas Hold ‘Em EP includes acapella and instrumental versions in addition to the original. “Texas Hold ‘Em” has been a catalyst in bringing Beyoncé yet another bragging right, which is being the first Black woman to top the US Hot 100 charts with a country song. She received praise from country star Dolly Parton amidst backlash on social media from fans who did not like the new sound.
“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton said in an Instagram caption. “Can’t wait to hear the full album!”
According to Beyoncé, “Renaissance” was dedicated not only to embracing house music and self-love but also to her Uncle Johnny, who died from AIDS when she was a teenager.
“He was my godmother and the first to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album,” Beyoncé said.
The powerhouse vocalist showed a new side with these singles. She has proved her vocal range with past albums and is now stepping into the full authenticity of her Houston roots.
As a ballad, “16 Carriages” is symbolic of her leaving home in pursuit of music, according to American Songwriter. The track is highly personal and invokes nostalgia as she recounts the beginning of her music pursuits. Furthermore, she sings of the 16 carriages, which are seemingly metaphorical of tour buses.
The western swing is a refreshing sound coming from Beyoncé and while both tracks are not vocally demanding, her voice shines through and melts over the soft instrumentals. Her voice is relatively tame compared to the first installment of Renaissance and “Texas Hold ‘Em” showcases her impressive lower register vocals. The visuals in the music video preface the aesthetic of the second installment, as she flaunts metallic lingerie and a cowboy hat to complete the look.
Beyoncé has proved yet again that her vocals are malleable to any genre and these two records offer an exciting taste of what is to come on March 29.
