Rating 8/10 – GREAT Album
Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, marks a significant evolution in her illustrious career, blending a rich tapestry of musical genres with country music at its core. Over five years in the making, Beyoncé embarked on the project in 2019, finding creative fervor during the COVID-19 pandemic. This album, which is a part of a trilogy aimed at exploring the Black roots of various musical genres, follows Renaissance (2022), a celebration of house and disco music.
One of Beyoncé’s inspirations for Cowboy Carter comes from the history of Black cowboys, an aspect of Western history and culture she felt was overlooked and deserved to be highlighted. This theme resonates with her personal experiences growing up in Houston and attending the Houston rodeo, reflecting a desire to reclaim and celebrate the place of Black performers in the narrative of the American West.
Musically, Cowboy Carter is a country album that intricately weaves in elements of blues, soul, rock, R&B, zydeco, folk, bluegrass, opera, go-go, flamenco, and fado, showcasing Beyoncé’s ability to blend genres seamlessly. The album also features a unique concept where it’s presented as a broadcast from a fictional Texas radio station, with country legends like Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, and Willie Nelson acting as radio DJs. This innovative approach is complemented by collaborations with a range of artists, including rising country musicians and established stars like Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers, and Jon Batiste.
One of the album’s standout moments includes a cover of The Beatles “Blackbird” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” a song Parton herself expressed a desire to hear Beyoncé perform. The inclusion of this cover, alongside original tracks that pay homage to the likes of Linda Martell, signifies Beyoncé’s respect and acknowledgment of country music’s heritage and its diverse influences.
In terms of promotion, the album was teased during Super Bowl LVIII in a commercial that played with the idea of breaking the internet with increasingly extravagant stunts, culminating in the announcement of new music. This was followed by a visually striking teaser video directed by Nadia Lee Cohen, which paid homage to Paris, Texas and featured Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.”
Beyoncé has described Cowboy Carter as not just a country album but a “Beyoncé album,” underscoring her intent to challenge genre limitations and create a body of work that transcends traditional musical boundaries. This ambition is reflected in the album’s cyclical structure, echoing the endless loop of storytelling found in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, and in Beyoncé’s dedication to using her music to unite people and amplify important voices in musical history. Check out “Blackbird” below: