Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” is the second act of her album trilogy, following the acclaimed “Renaissance” released in 2022. Now, Beyoncé is here to show off her roots in the countryside of Houston, reminiscing on Black cowboys and rodeos. Beyoncé blends multiple genres outside of country and R&B, including house, rock, blues, hip hop and even Jersey club music. Her connections to classic country musicians like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton helped solidify Beyoncé as tapped into the country world.
Two lead singles eased the world into Beyoncé’s country era. “16 Carriages” is a powerful ballad on life before fame and the responsibilities of being a young star. The southern vibe hits the most when the organs lead into loud drums, claps, and twangy guitars throughout the track. “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the other single, has become widely popular on TikTok. The catchy and danceable record exhibits how proud Beyoncé is of her roots.
I didn’t know how invested Beyoncé was in the country lifestyle until now since she never used it in her music. There are other songs that I can predict become singles later. I bet “Jolene,” a confident and borderline psychotic spin on the Dolly Parton classic where Beyoncé dares Jolene to take her man, will be huge. Everyone knows the original song, so I doubt this would not be successful on the charts. I love all of the references to Jay-Z cheating. It holds him accountable while simultaneously allowing Beyoncé to show off that vulnerability. I can also guarantee that “II Most Wanted,” featuring Miley Cyrus, will become a charting hit. It is a sweet tribute to Jay-Z’s mom’s relationship with her wife and discusses protecting your lover through anything. Miley and Beyoncé are great singers, and you can sense the power that love brings.
This album runs long. It has 27 songs and lasts about an hour and 20 minutes. I would not cut anything because every song is principal. My favorite aspect of this album is the historical connections to Black people and their ties to the country lifestyle. Beyoncé and other Black musicians have faced scrutiny by predominately white fans for making or referencing country-like things in their music.
She discusses this in detail in the album’s intro, “American Requiem.” Beyoncé is trying to provide insight into the world that Black country musicians are significant to the culture and that she is no longer allowing racism in the genre to slide. The album also includes an impressive cover of “Blackbird” by the Beatles.
Paul McCartney wrote “Blackbird” about protecting Black women and the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine Black students who were the first to enter an all-white school, as reported by The Rolling Stone in 2016. We also get “Ya Ya,” an upbeat country banger that provides lots of historical context on the mistreatment of Black people in the South. She references important moments like slavery, emancipation, the Chitlin Circuit and Fannie Mae.
Another thing I love is that Beyoncé taps into different genres and displays versatility in the project, even if this is a country record. “Riiverdance” pays homage to Irish heritage, “Spaghettii” featuring Shaboozey and Linda Martell, and “Tyrant” featuring Dolly Parton are hip hop bangers with hard-hitting 808s and lyrics that you’d hear from a braggadocious rapper. We also have “Sweet / Honey / Buckiin” featuring Shaboozey and produced by Pharrell Williams, a Jersey club-style song, similar to the “Tyrant” and “Spaghettii,” which has tons of flexing on haters and self-morale.
Romance is another massive topic on this album. I already briefly noted how Jay-Z stepped out on Beyoncé. She details how all she wants now is to protect him from other women in “Bodyguard” and is willing to kill anyone over him in “Daughter.” One moment, Beyoncé will have songs about domestic manipulation and insincere apologies like in “Alliigator Tears,” or wanting to move on and heal from the heartbreak in “Amen” and “II Hands II Heaven.” Then she will praise the relationship and her sexual connection to him, like on “Levii’s Jeans,” featuring Post Malone. It prominently affects her years later, and it is good to see that she can process it in different ways and demonstrate the complexities of relationships and dealing with the emotions of yourself and another person.
Delving into her origins with a blend of country and various genres, Beyoncé masterfully crafts a narrative that celebrates her upbringing in Houston’s countryside while addressing themes of love, history, and cultural identity, effortlessly blending southern vibes with her signature flair. “Cowboy Carter” marks a significant chapter in Beyoncé’s artistic journey, but also is evidence of her multifaceted talent and unwavering commitment to storytelling.
