Tracklist: AMERIICAN REQUIEM, BLACKBIIRD, 16 CARRIAGES, PROTECTOR, MY ROSE, SMOKE HOUR ? WILLIE NELSON, TEXAS HOLD 'EM, BODYGUARD, DOLLY P, JOLENE, DAUGHTER, SPAGHETTI, ALLIIGATOR TEARS, SMOKE HOUR II, JUST FOR FUN, II MOST WANTED, LEVII’S JEANS, FLAMENCO, THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW, YA YA, OH LOUISIANA, DESERT EAGLE, RIIVERDANCE, II HANDS II HEAVEN, TYRANT, SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN, AMEN
Beyoncé has always been about making bold artistic gestures, and throughout her career, she has transcended what it means to be a pop star. Beyoncé's creations always get a strong reaction from fans, casual listeners and critics alike, and since Lemonade (2016), her works have been read more as statements than music releases. On Renaissance, Beyoncé shone a light on impactful art made by Black and queer communities by featuring elements of house, ballroom and R&B. With her latest record, Cowboy Carter, she turns the lens inward, reflecting on her artistry and the expectations placed on her. She rises above her imposed limitations with a little wink and smile to the listener.
Cowboy Carter is a country-infused album dedicated to the singer's Texan roots. The project has been a long time coming, and her quest to reclaim country music as a Black woman hasn't been straightforward. "[This album] was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn't," the artist wrote about her album. "The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me," she said. The record contains a palpable fighting spirit to it, but it never takes itself too seriously, always finding time for fun.