Beyoncé has set the music world abuzz with the announcement of her upcoming album, “Act II,” slated to hit shelves on March 29. Alongside this exciting news, she has treated fans to a preview with the release of two fresh tracks: “Texas Hold ’Em” and “16 Carriages.” Beyoncé dropped this bombshell during the Super Bowl LVIII game, surprising fans with a video announcement on her Instagram.
The teaser clip suggests a departure into country music territory for the second installment of her Renaissance trilogy. The footage, accompanied by old-school tunes like Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline,” hints at a shift in sound. Notably, the announcement video features an intriguing scene with a massive billboard featuring a stylized Beyoncé alongside the words “Texas! Hold ’Em,” reminiscent of Wim Wenders’ 1984 film Paris, Texas.
“Texas Hold ’Em,” co-written by Canadian artist Lowell, boasts production and instrumental contributions from a lineup of talented musicians, including Rhiannon Giddens, Raphael Saadiq, Hit-Boy, Nathan Ferraro, and Killah B, among others. Meanwhile, “16 Carriages” showcases collaborative efforts with Dave Hamelin, Gavin Williams, Justus West, and Saadiq, among others.
The album revelation came amidst Verizon’s teasing of a Beyoncé-related ad during the week. True to expectations, Beyoncé starred in a Verizon commercial during the Super Bowl, hinting at the release of new music to captivate the internet—a promise she promptly fulfilled. Notably, Beyoncé sported a white cowboy hat at the 2024 Grammys, perhaps signaling her artistic pivot towards a country-inspired direction.
Beyoncé’s previous album, “Renaissance,” marked her seventh studio release and laid the groundwork for the trilogy’s narrative arc. Despite not receiving traditional music videos, the album’s innovative promotional efforts—including a “cliquebait” clip for “Break My Soul” and a “brand campaign anthem film” for Tiffany & Co.—captured audiences worldwide. The accompanying concert film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” topped the box office charts during its debut weekend and grossed over $44.4 million globally as of January 11.
At the 2023 Grammy Awards, “Break My Soul” earned nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Dance/Electronic Recording, with Beyoncé securing a win in the latter category. Despite this, she clinched four trophies that night, raising her career Grammy count to a record-breaking 32 wins, cementing her status as one of the most decorated artists in Grammy history.
