Beyoncé Knowles Carter released her album RENAISSANCE in July of 2022. The album was a huge hit, accumulating over 179 million streams within a week of its release. It won seven awards, including a Grammy for the best dance/electronic album of the year. Rumors circulated that there would be three acts, with the 2022 release being the first of them.
The rhythm and blues superstar finally announced the sequel in a Verizon commercial that aired on Sunday during the Super Bowl. Several references to her other works were made in this commercial, including a lemonade stand, paying homage to her 2016 album Lemonade.
After the commercial aired, Carter surprise released two new singles titled “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES”. Both songs will be featured on Act II, indicating that the upcoming release will be a country album.
This genre switch was unexpected, especially coming from Act I’s era, characterized by silver, glitter, and R&B. Singer Lana Del Rey has also announced a country album, Lasso, though there are currently very few details surrounding the release.
Nobody knows what to expect from Act II at this point, but it can be expected that Carter will do country music right. She has dabbled in several genres over the course of her career and always delivers. The release date is confirmed to be March 29 by Carter herself. Only two weeks before, country star Kacey Musgraves releases her new album, Deeper Well, following her acclaimed 2021 album Star-Crossed.
So far this year, numerous artists have announced new albums. This is an exciting time in the music industry, with more and more releases coming and being added to this spring’s lineup. Keep an eye out for more releases, and tune in on March 29 for Carter’s Act II.
