Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé
When Beyoncé hinted that Cowboy Carter would explore country music, many fans imagined rhinestones, rodeo queens, and maybe even a little twang. Well, saddle up, because Beyoncé’s version of country isn’t exactly what you’d expect. It’s less Yeehaw and more Yee-what? — a genre-bending ride through Americana, Black history, and Beyoncé’s ever-expanding musical empire.
Cowboy Carter is the second act of the trilogy that started with 2022’s Renaissance, a love letter to Black dance music. This time, Beyoncé takes a deep dive into the roots of country and Western music, but don’t expect this album to be a full Nashville crossover. Sure, there are hints of country — banjos, steel guitars, and collaborations with country artists like Tiera Kennedy and Brittney Spencer — but it’s not the kind of album that would feel at home on your local country station. Instead, Beyoncé pulls from a wide array of sounds, from folk to psychedelic rock, creating something more akin to a musical history lesson with a Texas-sized scope.
The album’s production is as vast as a desert landscape — full of layers and sprawling arrangements that mix traditional country instruments with experimental elements. There’s a lot to love in the rich, atmospheric production, but sometimes it feels like the album is trying to cover too much ground at once. Tracks like “Blackbiird” meld country harmonies with dreamlike electronic beats, making you wonder if you’re still in the same genre halfway through. It’s ambitious, for sure, but occasionally feels like you’re wandering through a soundscape without a clear destination. Still, it’s hard to deny the quality of the production, even if it occasionally trips over its own boots.
Beyoncé uses Cowboy Carter to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the forgotten contributions of Black cowboys to American history. It’s her way of reclaiming a space that historically hasn’t been welcoming to artists like her. Tracks like “16 Carriages” dig into these themes with poignancy, while others like “Texas Hold ’Em” playfully nod to Southern culture. But the lyrics, while thoughtful, sometimes get lost in the album’s sprawling production. At times, you wish she’d strip back some of the sonic excess to let the words hit harder.
“American Requiem” kicks things off with a haunting vibe that sets the tone for the album’s introspective side, blending gospel influences with country melodies. “Texas Hold ‘Em,” on the other hand, is the fun, swagger-filled anthem of the bunch, and will likely be stuck in your head long after the album’s over. But if there’s a track that truly stands out, it’s “Blackbiird,” a collaboration with multiple Black female country artists that feels like a statement of purpose, marrying soulful vocals with a country backdrop in a way that feels refreshing and, at times, overdue.
Cowboy Carter sometimes feels more like a playlist than a cohesive album. The transitions between songs can be jarring as Beyoncé hops between different genres and sounds. It’s not always clear if the album wants to be a country record or something else entirely, and the pacing can feel uneven. There are moments of brilliance, but they’re scattered in a way that might leave some listeners feeling disoriented, like taking a cross-country road trip with no GPS — exciting but occasionally confusing.
There’s a lot of personal history tied into Cowboy Carter, particularly Beyoncé’s exploration of her own Southern roots and the legacy of Black cowboys. This gives the album emotional weight, even if it doesn’t always hit the mark musically. For listeners deeply interested in the intersection of music and history, this album offers plenty to unpack. But if you’re looking for something to crank up at your next summer BBQ, you might find yourself reaching for something a little less conceptual.
Who’s this album for? Well, it’s for Beyoncé fans, first and foremost. Longtime followers will likely appreciate the album’s ambition and the way it pushes boundaries. Casual country listeners, on the other hand, might find themselves scratching their heads. If you’re into country music but prefer something more traditional, this album probably won’t convert you. But for those who love genre-blending and boundary-pushing music, Cowboy Carter is a fascinating (if imperfect) journey.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is an ambitious, sprawling tribute to the overlooked corners of Americana and Black history, with moments of brilliance that shine through its experimental haze. While not every risk pays off, the album is undeniably bold, and in typical Beyoncé fashion, it dares you to follow her down an unexpected path. Whether or not you stick around for the ride is another story.
