Beyoncé stole Super Bowl Sunday—or at least the commercial breaks—with her Verizon commercial announcing her new album and music.
The Renaissance singer broke the internet after her new Verizon commercial aired after Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show and ended with an announcement: “OK, they’re ready! Drop the new music.”
Shortly after the commercial announcement, Beyoncé took to her Instagram to post a short trailer that confirmed her new album, Act II, would be released on March 29.
The album announcement followed Tidal’s release of two new country-themed songs, “Texas Hold’ Em” and “16 Carriages,” co-written and co-produced by Raphael Saadiq.
From the looks of it, Beyoncé is going country for the second act of her three-part album series that started with 2022’s Renaissance. The album trailer includes classic tracks such as Chuck Berry’s Maybelline while showcasing men gazing up at a towering billboard of a provocatively dressed Beyoncé alongside the words “Texas! Hold ‘Em.”
This scene appears to nod to Wim Wenders’ 1984 western film Paris, Texas. The new singles take on complete country themes with “Texas Hold’ Em,” including lyrics “This ain’t Texas (Woo)/Ain’t no hold ’em (Hey) / So lay your cards down, down, down, down.”
A country music album shouldn’t be a complete shock to Beyoncé fans as she included the hoedown track “Daddy Lessons” on her 2016 album Lemonade and performed the song at the 2016 CMAs with the Chicks.
Fans soon
started sharing their thoughts on Beyoncé’s possible plan to use her three-part “Renaissance” album to reclaim music genres originated by Black artists. “Renaissance” took on a disco theme, while “Act II” is most likely going country. This has many convinced that part three will include heavy rock ‘n’ roll inspiration.Who else but Beyoncé could steal the show from Usher after his stellar halftime performance? The Bey Hive is ready for new music.