In February 2024, Beyonce shocked her fans with new songs, i.e “Texas Hold 'Em” and “16 Carriages”which announced that instead of a pop album, her next album would be immersed in country music.
The album debuted on March 29 “Cowboy Carter”whose cover refers to the earlier one “Renaissance”, where the star sits on a glass horse. This is the second of the artist's announced musical trilogy.
Beyoncé's eighth studio album combines several genres, and in addition to country music, we can hear influences from, among others: blues, soul, folk, bluegrass and fado.
The concept of the album revolves around a fictional radio station in Texas, where the announcers are legends of the genre like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson Whether Linda Martell (first black country star).
The star invited not only renowned artists to cooperate, such as: Nile Rodgers, Miley Cyrus Whether Post Malonebut also promising young creators: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey and Willie Jones.
The songs also include: cover of The Beatles, “Blackbird”.
The executive producer of the album is Beyoncé herself. The latest album is a mix of sounds that Beyoncé loves and grew up with, between visits and performances at Houston Rodeo – Country. The album's sonic diversity is also due to many instruments – including: accordion, harmonica, washboard, guitars, ukulele, Vibra-Slap, mandolin, violin, organ, piano and banjo. There is also a lot of hand clapping, shoes stamping on the wooden floor, and the drums are filled with the tapping of fingernails.
“The joy of creating music is that there are no rules,” comments the creator. “The more I see the evolution of the world, the deeper connection I feel with the purity of sound. With artificial intelligence and digital filters and programming at my disposal, I wanted to go back to real, very old instruments. I didn't want some layers, such as strings, guitars (especially guitars) !) whether the organ was perfectly tuned. Some songs retained their rawness – I focused on folk. All the sounds were so organic and human – wind, crackles, and even the sounds of birds and chickens, i.e. the sounds of nature,” she admits.
As we know, there were many inspirations, but the most important are the culture of the South and the Wild West: Rodeo, films and stories of original cowboys. It was at the Rodeo that Bey first saw the diversity of people who loved country music and the American lifestyle. A common barbecue, different communities and cowboy clothes – all this made a beautiful whole. Among the crowds were cowboys of various races: Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans, who made their valuable, authentic contribution to culture. Their stories are synonymous with American history today.
“I think people will be surprised because I don't think this music is what they expect,” Beyonce said. “It's the best music I've ever made, though,” she says with confidence.
- “American Requiem”
- “Blackbird” (feat. Tanner Ardell)
- “16 Carriages”
- “Protector” (feat. Rumi Carter)
- “My Rose”
- “Smoke Hour” (Willie Nelson intro)
- “Texas Hold 'Em”
- “Bodyguard”
- “Dolly P.” (Dolly Patron intro)
- “Jolene”
- “Daughter”
- “Spaghetti” (feat. Linda Martell and Shaboozey)
- “Alligator Tears”
- “Smoke Hour II” (feat. Willie Nelson)
- “Just For Fun” (feat. Willie Jones)
- “II Most Wanted” (feat. Miley Cyrus)
- “Levii's jeans” (feat. Post Malone)
- “Flamenco”
- “The Linda Martell Show” (intro by Linda Martell)
- “Ya Ya”
- “Oh Louisiana”
- “Desert Eagle”
- “Riverdance”
- “II Hands II Heaven”
- “Tyrant” (feat. Dolly Parton)
- “Sweet Honey Buckin' (feat. Shaboozey)
- “Amen”.
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