Beyoncé, the undisputed queen of pop, has once again captivated fans with her latest album, “Cowboy Carter.” Her eighth album, released on March 29, 2024, not only showcases her unparalleled talent, but also pays homage to the artist’s childhood roots.

The inspiration for “Cowboy Carter” began with Beyoncé’s love for country and western music. She has listened to legends like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson from a young age. These influences have always been a part of her musical DNA, subtly weaving their way through her previous works.

However, it wasn’t until recently that Beyoncé decided to fully embrace her love for country and create an album that celebrates this genre, and all its glory: “Cowboy Carter.”

“It’s the Beyoncé genre,” Gabe Buggi, a junior and avid Beyoncé listener, said. “Beyoncé’s an innovator and is constantly making pathways into her own ways of music, blending different genres together to form the ‘Beyoncé genre.’ No song of hers is going to have just one genre.”

While the album fully embraces its country twang, other distinctive styles shine through, such as folk, pop, R&B, and even rap. This unique combination of artistic styles shows testament towards Beyoncé’s legacy in the music industry, as it creates a unique and refreshing musical experience for listeners.

While listening to the album, it’s important to mention that rather than 27 distinct tracks, the album is more one continuous song with interludes between. Songs like “JOLENE” and “BLACKBIRD” are better understood when listening to the album in order, as hidden meanings behind Beyoncé’s lyrical twists are explained.

Beyoncé also features popular artists like Miley Cyrus in “II MOST WANTED,” Post Malone in “LEVI’S JEANS,” and Dolly Parton in “TYRANT.”

Willie Nelson is another major feature on the album, playing as a radio host in tracks like “SMOKE HOUR.” With these radio tuners, she not only adds a western feel to the album, but showcases black artists who lacked credit within the country genre, like Rosetta Thorpe, Chuck Berry, and Roy Hamilton.

This album couldn’t be as successful without the infamous song “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” which took over TikTok late March, with 1,100,000 posts under the sound. It is a fun country dance hit that transitions seamlessly from Nelson’s radio track. Similarly, “BODYGUARD” has a country swing dance feel, a joyous song with an upbeat rhythm.

“I’ve listened to the album 15 times already, and it’s only been released for 10 days,” Buggi said. “I’m definitely biased, but I think everybody should give the album a taste.”