When I first heard that Beyoncé was making a Country album, I didn’t know how to feel about it. In all honesty, I’m not the biggest Country music fan. I like Shania Twain and Faith Hill. I always jam to Eagles’ “Lyin’ Eyes,” and I adored all the songs featured on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack (especially “The Devil Went Down to Georgia’). That’s about it, save for a few other Country songs that bring up some childhood nostalgia. But then I heard “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” for the first time in mid February. I fell in love.

I’ve had “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” in heavy rotation since its release, and my doubts about Beyoncé’s country album were now replaced with hope and anticipation. On Mar. 29, 2024, Bey’s Act II: Cowboy Carter album was released, and I knew I’d have to write a review for it. Yes, I realize this review is late as all hell (as usual), but there’s a reason for it. I wanted to listen to the album more than once before giving my opinion on it.  After the third listen, I decided it was time to give my two cents. The truth is…the album gets better with each listen.

Over these last few weeks, I’ve learned the history behind Cowboy Carter, and it’s extremely interesting.  In 2016, Queen Bey was a guest performer at the Country Music Awards.  She performed “Daddy Lessons” (from the Lemonade album) with The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks)—who themselves were pariahs in the Country music community for a long time—and Bey was blasted for even showing her face. 

On a side note, The Rock attended the Country Music Awards back in 2004, and I remember seeing some comments made about how Rock “didn’t seem to fit in there,” despite the fact that Rock is a big fan of Country music.  God, I wish I could find that foolishness.  Anyway, Beyoncé decided to have the ultimate revenge:  make a whole damn Country album.

Cowboy Carter is definitely Bey’s most ambitious enterprise. There’s a track on the album named “SPAGHETTII” where Country legend Linda Martell says, “Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they? Yes, they are! In theory, they have a simple definition that’s easy to understand. But in practice, well…some may feel confined.” This perfectly sums up Cowboy Carter.  Before the album’s release, Beyoncé came out and said that Cowboy Carter isn’t a Country album, but a “Beyoncé album.” Truer words have never been spoken. Many of the songs are heavily inspired by Country music, and the project is largely considered a Country album, per se. However, the tracks are also a wonderful blend of genres. There’s also Hip Hop, R&B, Rock, a bit of gospel, etc.

Aside from “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” I’m lovin’ “BODYGUARD.” It’s a track that does have a bit of Country nuances, but for the most part, it feels like a bit of a ’80s pop/rock (a YouTube commenter mentioned that they likened it to a Fleetwood Mac song). Then there’s songs like “SWEET*HONEY*BUCKIN’,” which has a mix of Country, R&B, and Trap. On a side note, last week I was randomly just singing “Look at that horse, look at that horse, look at that horse.” If you’ve heard the song, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 😂 “YA YA” is a track that doesn’t strike me as Country at all. It feels like a song that Tina Turner would perform during her days with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Even if that song wasn’t funky, I’d love it on principle (“Yaya” is my nickname). However, the album does contain straight up and down Country songs like “JOLENE,” “16 CARRIAGES,” and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.”

Aside from the songs I just mentioned, some other ones on Cowboy Carter that I adore are “LEVII’S JEANS,” a duet with Post Malone; “II MOST WANTED,” a duet with Miley Cyrus; “DESERT EAGLE,” “RIIVERDANCE,” “TYRANT,” “BLACKBIRD,” a Beatles remake; and “DAUGHTER,” which I’m told was adapted from an Italian opera (not sure which one). YouTuber Empressive dismissed “DAUGHTER” as a demonic type song, and dark as it may be, I wouldn’t call it demonic. As matter of fact, it’s another tale of a woman dealing with her philandering husband and his side chick, and the bleak thoughts surrounding her mind. It reminded me a lot of the songs on the Lemonade album.

Another thing that makes Cowboy Carter one of Bey’s more ambitious projects is the length of the album. Cowboy Carter contains 27 tracks.  Yes, you read that correctly. Believe it or not though, the album isn’t super lengthy, or at least it doesn’t feel like. The run time is an hour and 18 minutes, but before you know it, you’re at the end.

A lot of people are saying that Cowboy Carter is Bey’s greatest work.  In my opinion, Lemonade remains Bey’s magnum opus, but Cowboy Carter is definitely up there in the top five Beyoncé albums.  Dare I say, I think I like it better than Renaissance. I definitely connected with the songs more and fell in love with the album faster than I did with Renaissance. I know one thing…my Beyoncé playlist has grown exponentially!  I can’t wait for the next concert.  I’m gonna be fly and comfy with my cowgirl fit this go around!

—Written by Nadiya

So what did you think about Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album?  Did you like it?  Did you not like it? If you liked it, what’s your favorite song? Do you feel like it’s a Country album, or a mixture of different genres? Did you think it was better than Renaissance?  Would you consider it one of Beyoncé’s best albums?  Which album do you think is Bey’s best?  Let me know in the comments section!