CNN —In case you’ve somehow missed the biggest news in music this week, Beyoncé released her latest album on Friday, and “Act II: Cowboy Carter” goes out of its way to point out that music genres are overly confining labels.
The 27-track compendium contains country music, to be sure, but also folk, gospel, rap, pop and even some Italian opera – and it celebrates Bey’s desire to span beyond any labels or limits.
(She even spelled it out in a rare caption on her Instagram ahead of the album drop, writing that “Carter” “ain’t a Country album.
This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”) The resulting collection is musically rich, lyrically creative and distinctly Beyoncé.
Throughout, Beyoncé acknowledges the influence of artists who have come before her, and subverts concepts of country music by connecting past to present.
Persons:
you’ve, Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter ”, “ Carter, Linda Martell, ”, ” Thanos, Josh Brolin, Shaboozey, Nancy Sinatra’s, Queen Bey, Jay, Z’s, she’s, ’, Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson ”, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, Willie Jones, Cowboy Carter
Organizations:
CNN, Black, Marvel Studios, The Beach Boys, Block Party
Locations:
“, Louisiana