Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a name that has become synonymous with boundary-pushing over the years, and her eighth album, ‘Cowboy Carter’, is no exception. The album takes a deeply personal approach as she pays tribute to her Texan/Louisiana-Creole lineage, the Beyoncé family tree, and her mother’s maiden name. ‘Cowboy Carter’ is not a straightforward country album but instead incorporates elements of various genres such as blues, funk, folk, soul, opera, and gritty southern rap.
The album showcases Beyoncé’s signature blend of eclectic herbs and spices, among which the production alone is a noteworthy feature. It paints a portrait of richness and precision that highlights her peerless vocal range. The opening track, ‘American Requiem,’ is a bold, Broadway musical, with deep vocal squeals and psychedelic nylon guitars framing her thematic frustration.
Beyoncé stays true to her identity by inviting rising Black female stars of country to join her in a poignant civil rights anthem cover of The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’. Moving to the cool road-trip breeze of ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Cowboy Carter’ trades away some of the visceral agony of the original but is a playful addition to ‘Becky with the good hair’ lore, outing Yoncé as a “Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne”.
‘Cowboy Carter’ is one of Beyoncé’s most impressive works, fusing different genres, and allowing opportunities for country’s up-and-comers to break into the scene with her. Even as critics find it challenging to review music from an artist of her stature, it’s an undeniable thrill to see her swing so big on a project that dares her to be so intimate and vocal-focused. Queen B is indeed a master at her craft, and ‘Cowboy Carter’ is proof that her legacy continues to grow.
‘Cowboy Carter’, released on March 29, 2024, under Parkwood/Columbia, only offers a glimpse of how much is left of Beyoncé’s creative mind. While one can only speculate about which horse she’ll ride in on for the trilogy’s final part, it is evident that whatever Queen B decides will be a lovingly executed education, sparkling with the joy of a truly unbridled creative mind
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