We should've known something was up when Beyoncé rocked up to the 2024 Grammys, skipping the red carpet, in a western-leaning custom look from Pharrell Williams' Fall 2024 collection for Louis Vuitton. The signs were there, as glaringly obvious as a honking white cowboy hat. Or as eye-wateringly conspicuous as her "internet-breaking" Super Bowl advertisement with Verizon.
Well, while all eyes were on the Super Bowl, Beyoncé dragged them away from Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift (a task one would think was nearly impossible) to announce the much-hinted Act II of Renaissance on Instagram. To celebrate, Beyoncé also dropped two singles from the record: Texas Hold Em' and 16 Carriages.
What is the name of Beyoncé's next album?
It's clear, Beyoncé's latest act is about leaning into her Texan roots. So she has to have a name worthy of this switch. Cowboy Carter is an appropriate option, with Beyoncé announcing the official album title on March 13, 2024.
When will Cowboy Carter drop?
Beyoncé has confirmed Renaissance: Act II will arrive on March 29, 2024.
What can we expect from Cowboy Carter?
As further proof that Beyoncé is a genre-defying mother of invention, the artist has transitioned easily from the dance and house beats of Renaissance into an almost-entirely acoustic country sound for Cowboy Carter. The artist also confirmed that the album will be the second part of a sonic trilogy, all of which we can expect to be linked by chain of shimmering silver.
On March 12, Dolly Parton also let it slip that Beyoncé had recorded a cover of Jolene with the intention of including it on her new album. As expected, this news has made us ill with anticipation.
While we have many further questions (notably, what sound will Act III see Queen Bey experiment with?), we're ready for this new era of Beyoncé. It's also the perfect follow up to Jay-Z's defence of his wife at the 2024 Grammys, where he called out the Recording Academy for never awarding Beyoncé Album of the Year despite her being the most decorated Grammy-winning artist of all time.
Does this mean Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will go head-to-head for Album of the Year? We know who we're batting for. In the meantime, forget Fearless-era Taylor Swift, this is the only country we will be listening to.
Cowboy Carter tracklist
On March 28, Beyoncé released the tracklist for her upcoming album on Instagram. It's unclear if Dolly P and Smoke Hour Willie Nelson indicates collaborations are on the way. Though, we can safely assume that cover of Jolene is coming.
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Where can I listen to Texas Hold 'Em by Beyoncé
In the meantime, you can listen to Beyoncé's latest two singles, Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages on Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.
