Time to put on cowboy boots and do the Dosey-doe, Beyoncé released her highly anticipated album ‘act ii: COWBOY CARTER.’ The new era began after the album was announced during the Super Bowl LVIII, alongside two singles from the record, ‘16 CARRIAGES’ and ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.’ 

The singer transitioned from her house-inspired album ‘RENAISSANCE’ and went into a country-inspired direction. However, she made it clear via her Instagram that “this ain’t a country album. It’s a Beyonce album.” ‘COWBOY CARTER’ is layered with references to the past, present and future of country music. What led Beyoncé to go in a country direction were conversations about Black exclusion and reclaiming one of America’s most listened genres.  

After five years of making the album, the record is a direct result after a distasteful experience the singer had back in 2016. The singer received racist backlash after performing at the Country Music Award’s (CMA) sharing how she felt unwelcome.

‘COWBOY CARTER’ in its entirety, is not defined by a specific sound, she embraces a new vibration that has something for everyone. It is comprised of special guests ranging from Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and rising Black country artist Shaboozey.  

Not only is this album a cohesive listening experience, but it feels as if there is a journey through music history. There are sequences in the record that switch through radio channels and the entirety sounds like a radio show.

UTEP student Diana Andrade shares how she felt skeptical about tuning into Beyoncé’s new album after it was announced the artist was heading in a country direction. 

“Not going to lie, when I heard Beyoncé was making a country album, I was quick to assume I wouldn’t like it and I still haven’t listened to it for that reason,” Andrade said. “I’m eager but I’m scared if I won’t like it.”

‘Queen Bey’ assured fans that while the album is under the genre of country music, it does not strain from the talent she inputs into her art.”

UTEP student Isaac Jimenez shared his excitement and appreciation for the album.

“I have been waiting for ‘act ii’ since I saw Beyoncé live at the Renaissance tour,” Jimenez said. “When ‘COWBOY CARTER’ released, it immediately became my favorite, she just is always raising the bar with each album.” 

Beyoncé continues to break her own records as ‘COWBOY CARTER’ became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far.  

A total of 27 tracks on the record, there are songs that had fans shed tears from her draw-dropping vocals. Beyoncé keeps her identity true by incorporating her own self into the album and keeping things highly energetic in tracks like, ‘SPAGHETTII,’ ‘SWEET HONEY BUCKIN,’ and ‘RIIVERDANCING.’

Despite fans begging for visuals, ‘Queen Bey’ reminds fans that all good things take time. Until the next drop of her three-act project arrives, fans are left with a striking album that challenges music history. 

Marco Hinojosa is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at [email protected].