Beyonce Crashes the Super Bowl
By Matthew Landsman
February 25, 2024
Image Credit: Courtesy of @beyonce on Instagram
If you are a part of the Beyhive, Super Bowl Sunday was more than just a football game. It started with a Verizon commercial featuring Beyoncé attempting different ways to break the internet. At the end of the commercial, she said, “Drop the new music.”
Everyone thought it was just a hint at new music coming soon, but that was not the case. The surprise release of two tracks from “Act II”, her trilogy album, hit all streaming platforms during the game. A teaser was posted with the announcement of the album coming out March 29th. This marks the fastest comeback by the singer to date with the second act coming out less than a year after the first act.
Beyoncé is currently entering her country era with the two track release of “16 CARRIAGES” and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” This is not the first time she has dipped her feet in the genre with the song “Daddy’s Lessons” off of her sixth studio album “Lemonade.”
“16 CARRIAGES” has a sadder feeling with a powerful chorus capturing the emotions Beyoncé went through growing up. Strums of a guitar open the track into a hard hitting beat showing the two sides of strong emotional feelings about her childhood. According to Genius, “The song is an epic ballad which traverses the emotions and experiences caused by sudden uprooting due to losing innocence at an early age. Taking the structure of a classic country anthem, the song encompasses the themes of loss, faith, resilience, and hardship.” This track is one of Beyoncé’s most vulnerable songs to date. She talks about entering the music scene at a young age with her parents supporting her to make sure Beyoncé succeeds.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” has a more upbeat direction.The title comes from a game of poker. The Texas native superstar is asking anyone who listens to this song to be true to themselves instead of having a fake (poker) face.
“The country song has heavy western and southern influences and can be seen as a love letter to the south and Beyoncé’s southern roots. The song features a banjo and viola played by Rhiannon Giddens,” said Genius.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” has a hoe-down feel to it and just makes you want to get up to dance. Beyoncé perfectly captures a hometown feeling referencing many different aspects of Texas.
These songs are just a taste of what’s to come from “Act II”. Each single sounds completely different with one being a sad vulnerable track about the unknown of a career affecting a family. The other being an ode to Texas that could be played at a party. It captures Beyoncé’s versatility and ability to change her sound with a multitude of different genres during each comeback.
University of Maryland students gave their input on the new tracks and upcoming album release.
“Beyoncé going in a country direction was not expected. . . but everything. I really liked the two songs and it is an amazing new genre for her to explore. I am here for Beyoncé’s country album and will be tuning in March 29th,” said sophomore Psychology major Caitlyn McInerney.
Junior General Biology major Sydney Chanell said, “I am so excited for this new album! The first two songs were amazing and I am saying that as a massive country music fan. I'm so ready for this new Beyoncé era.”
Will you be tuning into Beyoncé’s upcoming country album?
Everyone thought it was just a hint at new music coming soon, but that was not the case. The surprise release of two tracks from “Act II”, her trilogy album, hit all streaming platforms during the game. A teaser was posted with the announcement of the album coming out March 29th. This marks the fastest comeback by the singer to date with the second act coming out less than a year after the first act.
Beyoncé is currently entering her country era with the two track release of “16 CARRIAGES” and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” This is not the first time she has dipped her feet in the genre with the song “Daddy’s Lessons” off of her sixth studio album “Lemonade.”
“16 CARRIAGES” has a sadder feeling with a powerful chorus capturing the emotions Beyoncé went through growing up. Strums of a guitar open the track into a hard hitting beat showing the two sides of strong emotional feelings about her childhood. According to Genius, “The song is an epic ballad which traverses the emotions and experiences caused by sudden uprooting due to losing innocence at an early age. Taking the structure of a classic country anthem, the song encompasses the themes of loss, faith, resilience, and hardship.” This track is one of Beyoncé’s most vulnerable songs to date. She talks about entering the music scene at a young age with her parents supporting her to make sure Beyoncé succeeds.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” has a more upbeat direction.The title comes from a game of poker. The Texas native superstar is asking anyone who listens to this song to be true to themselves instead of having a fake (poker) face.
“The country song has heavy western and southern influences and can be seen as a love letter to the south and Beyoncé’s southern roots. The song features a banjo and viola played by Rhiannon Giddens,” said Genius.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” has a hoe-down feel to it and just makes you want to get up to dance. Beyoncé perfectly captures a hometown feeling referencing many different aspects of Texas.
These songs are just a taste of what’s to come from “Act II”. Each single sounds completely different with one being a sad vulnerable track about the unknown of a career affecting a family. The other being an ode to Texas that could be played at a party. It captures Beyoncé’s versatility and ability to change her sound with a multitude of different genres during each comeback.
University of Maryland students gave their input on the new tracks and upcoming album release.
“Beyoncé going in a country direction was not expected. . . but everything. I really liked the two songs and it is an amazing new genre for her to explore. I am here for Beyoncé’s country album and will be tuning in March 29th,” said sophomore Psychology major Caitlyn McInerney.
Junior General Biology major Sydney Chanell said, “I am so excited for this new album! The first two songs were amazing and I am saying that as a massive country music fan. I'm so ready for this new Beyoncé era.”
Will you be tuning into Beyoncé’s upcoming country album?