COWBOY CARTER
By Matthew Landsman
April 10, 2024
Image Credit: Photo by Parkwood Entertainment/ Columbia Records
Put on your cowboy hats and hit up the rodeo because Beyoncé released the second act in her Renaissance trilogy. The Houston, Texas-born singer has stepped into the country music field with “COWBOY CARTER” released on March 29. The genre-bending artist tackles the country field, reinventing it in a way that only Beyoncé can accomplish.
After over 20 years in the music scene, she is at the peak of her creativity and making another masterpiece of an album. She has iconic features on this project with Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Shaboozy, and Post Malone. Beyoncé also includes a cover of “Blackbird” by The Beatles, a song about the Civil Rights Movement.. Here, she featured black country artists that deserve the recognition.
Each song is placed with the utmost care and the interludes give a nostalgic feel as they feel like listening to the radio in a southern state like Texas.
“So, I thought that this was going to be similar to “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and then once I listened to the whole thing, I realized it was a lot more. I was surprised at how many genres she was able to fit into one album, while it still was like overarchingly country and I think that just kind of shows how she’s able to kind of do any genre and make it her own and not confine herself to anything,” said sophomore journalism major Abigail Olear.
27 songs feel overwhelming, but somehow leave you wanting more.A mixture of short songs serve as introductions into the next track along with long songs that go up to five minutes. In my opinion, this is in the top three albums in her discography because it genuinely left me in shock and was a cohesive masterpiece. The production is perfect and she doesn’t just stick to a country sound. There are gospel elements in the song “DAUGHTER” and a touch of rap in the song “SPAGHETTII.” “COWBOY CARTER” is an iconic moment in history where Beyoncé taps into the southern soul that she has possessed since birth in Houston. There are many emotions on this one project alone. Some songs with anger, a few tear-jerkers, and songs that make you want to go to a hoedown.
Leila Cox, a graduate student studying broadcast journalism said, “ I am a big Beyoncé fan but most importantly, I really enjoyed the way “COWBOY CARTER” really, you know, broke the barriers of what traditional country music is like and really pays tribute to African American origins connected to country roots down south.”
“Jolene” was my favorite cover Beyoncé has ever released. Dolly Parton known as “DOLLY P” on the album had a calmer approach to the track and Béyonce came with a more angry approach.
Production for this album featured many talented artists in the industry alongside Beyoncé. This includes Pharell Williams, Ryan Beatty, RAYE, and 070 Shake. The album is currently set to be the biggest debut streamed album of the year and Béyonce now has another genre mastered under her belt.
Beyoncé has continuously raised the bar for herself with the two Renaissance acts released and proves that after decades into her career, she is still at the top of her game. The creativity and drive she has challenging herself with each album is impeccable. From start to finish, “COWBOY CARTER” was a journey exploring many different sounds and storylines made with outstanding attention to detail.
After over 20 years in the music scene, she is at the peak of her creativity and making another masterpiece of an album. She has iconic features on this project with Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Shaboozy, and Post Malone. Beyoncé also includes a cover of “Blackbird” by The Beatles, a song about the Civil Rights Movement.. Here, she featured black country artists that deserve the recognition.
Each song is placed with the utmost care and the interludes give a nostalgic feel as they feel like listening to the radio in a southern state like Texas.
“So, I thought that this was going to be similar to “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and then once I listened to the whole thing, I realized it was a lot more. I was surprised at how many genres she was able to fit into one album, while it still was like overarchingly country and I think that just kind of shows how she’s able to kind of do any genre and make it her own and not confine herself to anything,” said sophomore journalism major Abigail Olear.
27 songs feel overwhelming, but somehow leave you wanting more.A mixture of short songs serve as introductions into the next track along with long songs that go up to five minutes. In my opinion, this is in the top three albums in her discography because it genuinely left me in shock and was a cohesive masterpiece. The production is perfect and she doesn’t just stick to a country sound. There are gospel elements in the song “DAUGHTER” and a touch of rap in the song “SPAGHETTII.” “COWBOY CARTER” is an iconic moment in history where Beyoncé taps into the southern soul that she has possessed since birth in Houston. There are many emotions on this one project alone. Some songs with anger, a few tear-jerkers, and songs that make you want to go to a hoedown.
Leila Cox, a graduate student studying broadcast journalism said, “ I am a big Beyoncé fan but most importantly, I really enjoyed the way “COWBOY CARTER” really, you know, broke the barriers of what traditional country music is like and really pays tribute to African American origins connected to country roots down south.”
“Jolene” was my favorite cover Beyoncé has ever released. Dolly Parton known as “DOLLY P” on the album had a calmer approach to the track and Béyonce came with a more angry approach.
Production for this album featured many talented artists in the industry alongside Beyoncé. This includes Pharell Williams, Ryan Beatty, RAYE, and 070 Shake. The album is currently set to be the biggest debut streamed album of the year and Béyonce now has another genre mastered under her belt.
Beyoncé has continuously raised the bar for herself with the two Renaissance acts released and proves that after decades into her career, she is still at the top of her game. The creativity and drive she has challenging herself with each album is impeccable. From start to finish, “COWBOY CARTER” was a journey exploring many different sounds and storylines made with outstanding attention to detail.