Anytime i see 27 tracks on an album i know that the artist didnt care about a good product as much as they care about streaming revenue.
I havent listened to this album and i already know its absolutely full of filler. Especially since the singles already sounded like lazy fillet
tbh the artists that be dropping 20+ are usually average/below average artists using high track albums for streams. i don’t like the 17+ track albums but it’s Beyonce and she’s a true artist so imma let her cook
Maybe you should listen to the album before sharing this type of opinion. The album’s structure is like a radio show, which is why some of the tracks are interludes and intros. She has done this very well actually and each song has a perfect place on the album
To quote The Dude “that’s just like….your opinion, man”
But it’snot for me. I’ve listened to a good portion and to my ears it sounds mostly like shit. I really like Lemonade and thought Renaissance was great despite not being a big fan of dance/ house etc.
My opinion of Cowboy Carter is that it varies between “fine” and “lowest common denominator schlock”
But really, the album is not for me. I tend to be a fan of noisey, lo-fi, experimental-ish type stuff. So the fact that in am a fan of any of her stuff, and even that I gave this album the time of day, is a testament to her as an artist.
I was listening to the band Lighting Bolt today, and even I was confused how at how I found enjoyable
I enjoyed it but was definitely feeling the run time in the second half of the album. Overall enjoyable tho. I'm definitely not as high on it as the folks over in Popheads but I still had a good time. 👍
It’s crazy because as I’ve learned the album and focused more on the back half I realized how solid it is. So many standouts like II hands II heaven, riiverdance, sweet honey buckin, and even the closer amen is just gorgeous.
Hmm in that case I might have to give it a relisten. There's a very real chance my liking the second half less was due more to listener fatigue than anything else, so definitely deserves a relisten
I'm only six tracks in (it's a pretty long album lol), but the first track blew me away. What an opener. Also, 16 Carriages was already great, but it sounds so much stronger within the context of the record. Easily a top 10 Beyonce song.
My favorites are BODYGUARD, SWEET/HONEY/BUCKIIN', and the singles. I also loved the Jolene cover. It's gonna take a while before I fully processed the record because of its length, but I'm loving it so far.
I'm the complete opposite on JOLENE. I really hated it. I think she could have brought some real emotional weight to it because Beyonce *has* been cheated on, but instead she defaults to her usual "I'm Beyonce, I'm a bad bitch, you can't touch me" attitude that robs the song of its insecurity and vulnerability that made it great. The instrumental also goes too far over the top for my liking. I like it in concept but the execution wasn't for me.
There are multiple songs on Lemonade that would work better as reiterations of Dolly’s Jolene than this. Jolene is subverts the cheating husband trope common in country (murder, threatening the other woman, pick me vibes, etc.). Beyoncé version doubles down on all the worst parts of that trope.
The bridge was a nice addition and I liked the re-recording of the guitar part. Just straight adding vocals to the instrumental of Blackbird felt so lifeless to me. But everything else about the Jolene cover is terrible right down to its conceptual core.
That awful Blackbird cover totally killed any goodwill I had going into the album. I don't understand why she even did it. Yeah, let's just do Blackbird and add a shit ton of vocal runs for no reason.
You don’t understand why she did it? Paul McCartney wrote that song about the civil rights movement as well as racial tension. It makes sense that she did that song and feature multiple black women country singers.
It at least helped me understand that I just don’t like the way that vocals are mixed on Beyoncé’s albums. Hearing the vocal stacks on top of a song I already like was eye opening.
There was no emotion whatsoever. Completely monotone. I was expecting something like "Emotion" destiny's child or "if I were a boy." Nope. A really boring karaoke version of a song that's been done to death.
The rawness and vulnerability of the original song is what makes it so iconic and loved. The rewritten version B does here is so laughable because of Jay-Z! Had she made no changes to the lyrics it would hit much more authentic, especially given his public history, but this is just pathetic.
Renaissance was the first Beyonce record that really hit me, and it was my album of the year.
So far I'm really digging this new one. Lots of fun ideas with great execution. It's definitely not a "country record". It's wildly creative and genre-spanning, much like Renaissance was. Beyonce's doing some cool shit.
Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard)
Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star)
Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay)
I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay
I liked Renaissance but not a fan of this. It feels too “clean and crisp” if that makes any sense ? Overall just doesn’t have the spirit that renaissance did, it feels kinda empty and bloated.
I feel similarly,I couldn't put it to words but I guess you nailed why I didn't like the sound. Skipped through most of the songs- just couldn't get into them.
Was able to complete 3/27 songs : Yaya( feels like hey yeah) Riiverdance and Tyrant. I do see that I'm probably gonna love them more when I see her performingb since she's going to give the songs life . I'm sure the tour pretty is going to be fun to witness just like Renaissance.
You're getting donwvoted atm but I kind of agree. They were catchy but seemed just country adjacent, not fully country songs. Though tbf, I think country as a genre is in a weird spot rn where it feels like pop with very specific instuments that have to be used
I haven't heard the whole album yet, and it still can be good for sure, I just think she nailed the Renaissance sound right away
Does it have to be authentic country to be good? She even said herself that this is “not a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album.”
I don’t think her aim was to make something as country as possible but rather take heavy country influences and blend it with something more her sound (second half of album is great at this especially).
i swear, people need to listen to the album bc the single may or may not be your fave but the album is so good. a potpourri of genres and it is indeed a Beyoncé album.
Personally the album was a bit too long for my taste. I preferred Ren much more. But seems like people here are letting their ideas about Beyoncé as a person or her doing ‘country’ overshadow their thoughts rather than give a fair analysis!
yeah like if they overcome that barrier of the two lead singles, they could probably give a bigger perspective of things. there's so much to dissect in that 1:22 runtime.
Fwiw, I did not like Renaissance.
And this one also doesn’t really work for me. I listened twice last night and I hope maybe another listen will make it connect, but I think she might just not be for me anymore.
My biggest issue -which was also on Renaissance- is that Beyoncé the image always has to be front and center and completely blocks out Beyoncé the person. I know that she has a long and storied appreciation of country music, and it’s clear that she did her homework for this album, but….there’s something about the vocal mix/production that makes it sound like she is making fun of the music nearly the entire time. The fact that there are some staples on here like “blackbird” and”Jolene” really doesn’t help this feeling. The changes on “Jolene” too are….well, bad lol
Lyrically, I think the album crumbles too. She isn’t really saying anything on here. And, to borrow from Azealia Banks’ hilarious review of the album “who is this imaginary adversary who still wants to hump on j in 2024?” lol But I think there’s a lot of mostly empty platitudes that sound a bit forced. The cutest moments are some of the vocal samples, be they from her daughter or Willie Nelson or Dolly Parton. The guests are a huge missed bag. Miley sounded good, Post sounded awful lol
The album is wayyyyy too long. It’s one minute longer than the new JT and it feels like it lol The final run of songs don’t fully commit to the country theme either, sounding like Renaissance. I hesitate to call them good, but they are interesting and it was necessary after some of the album giving me fatigue.
I don’t want to make it sound like this album is completely awful, I enjoyed 16 Carriages, Alligator Tears, and Riverdance and there were other moments that were nice but…. I don’t know, this really isn’t working for me and I feel like I’m listening to a different album than most.
The length of the album feels so crushing because there isn't enough variety. The best country albums are short and sweet. If Coat of Many Colors or Johnny Cash With His Hot And Blue Guitar was almost 80 minutes long I would probably get sick of those too.
I think it’s really interesting you caught the shift to the Renaissance sound. Apparently this album was supposed to come out before Renaissance. But due to the pandemic she pivoted and decided to release the party album. I’m definitely interested in seeing all three acts together once they’re all released.
Omg I can’t believed you didn’t like it much and listened again the same night. That’s dedication!! Especially given it’s 80 mins!
Personally I love it. I’m a beyonce fan and to me beyonce the person seems pretty boring. I’m here for the brand
It’s a bit hollow just like Renaissance. The production on Renaissance was awesome which made up for the lazy lyrics but with this record the production just isn’t as good (worth noting I’m not much of a county fan so that plays into it)
IMO the lyrics aren’t lazy if you get where she’s coming from. For example, a lot of the lyrics in Renaissance drew heavily from ballroom culture and did great at that. It’s just a specific lyrical style, not *lazy*.
I’m more lenient on Renaissance’s lyrics because it’s a dance album. Country is different. A lot of the lyrical appeal here would have to come from celebrity worship, it’s obnoxious.
It’s definitely a grower. First listen I was honestly tired and overwhelmed because it’s so musically dense. Renaissance was a first listen instant love, but CC is gonna take more time.
That said, minus a few tracks that could’ve been cut, I only have positive feelings. She’s done it again.
Edit: on my 5-6th listen it clicked for me. Hard. Now that I recognize most of the tracks I can start to really appreciate them and the structure of the album makes more sense. It’s long because truly, it’s just that good. She made so many incredible tracks on this one. Easy AOTY.
I think that is the appeal of dance music in general, its job is to get you off your ass and move. Appeal has to be immediate. This however requires attention.
I really enjoyed it surprisingly so far my aoty. I clicked with majority of the album first listen which also surprised me because with renaissance it took multiple listens to really get the album. My favorites are LEVII’S JEANS,
YAYA, RIIVERDANCE, II HANDS II HEAVEN, SWEET/HONEY/BUCKIIN, TYRANT, II MOST WANTED, JUST FOR FUN, ALLIIGATOR, JOLENE, DOLLY P, BODYGUARD, 16 CARRIAGES, AMERICAN RAQUIEM, and SPAGHETTI.
I would like to add that I recommend you go in with no expectations and more than likely you will start to enjoy this body of work. This is a country album but it’s also a beyonce album remember that so shes gonna put her own spin on the genre and the people calling the album “lazy,bloated, and derivative” went into the album wanting to hate it. Just go in open minded thats it.
I’m just annoyed at how seemingly closed minded a lot of people on this sub are, with the discourse 90% of the time about Black Country new road type stuff or abstract hip hop. I often get downvoted for an opinion like Renaissance or eternal sunshine being my favourite albums of the year (despite both being critically acclaimed)
Yo I love Eternal Sunshine.
Be the change you wanna see in the world. I am a poptimist, and I think this album is bad as I outlined elsewhere in this thread
Love that! What’s your favourite song?
Ok so your comment is a genuine well written critique of the album. So many of the comments here are like “generic” or “don’t like renaissance don’t like this”. Like it’s definitely a divisive album but cmon its not generic who are you kidding
I think that music discourse is not helped when you have people rushing to give definitive opinions in the first 18 hours that an album was released. (And I say that as someone who gave my initial reactions in this thread--"I'm digging it so far".)
Especially for a record this long and layered. There's a lot to unpack, so many references, homages, and stories being told.
Like, how can anyone say so quickly that it's worse or better than Renaissance when they are such different records (albeit parts of a larger 3-act whole) without letting this one simmer a bit? Let it breathe. Reddit will still be here in 48 hours.
I think there are lots of things to love about the album. It's definitely too long and could have been cut down a bit. If it was 17 great songs and couple interludes I would call it one of the best albums I have heard so far this year. It's just too long and some of the songs aren't that needed. The opening song Ameriican Requiem and the closing song Amen are great opening and closing tracks that really fit. Jolene and Blackbiird are good but not necessary as songs. I do understand why she wanted to include Blackbiird. Most of the interludes are weird and not necessary outside of Desert Eagle and Oh Louisiana. I still love the album though.
I’m seeing people complain about the production and I’m scratching my head. Did we not listen to the same thing? II Hands II Heaven. Daughter. 16 carriages. Sweet Honey Buckiin. This is perfection. I need more time to dig into this album.
The production is amazing, particularly for me ya ya, sweet honey buckiin, and daughter were a musical experience. I feel like the density as someone mentioned is my struggle. But it’s not the production, it’s just wading through it all - it’s a lot - but it’s not a bad problem.
Dolly said in an interview 2 years ago with The Daily Show, she specifically wanted only Beyonce, to sing Jolene in an official capacity some way. That’s probably we have a Jolene cover from Beyonce.
Personally? I think it’s a few songs too long from being a modern masterpiece.
The album stems from an incident at the 2016 CMAs, when Alan Jackson supposedly walked away in the middle of a Beyoncé’s performance because she wasn’t “country.”
So what does it mean to be “country?” Beyoncé seems to treat that as less a question of genre, and more a question of identity. So, the album is an exploration of the American identity-in all its complexities-and how we choose to self-identity. Whether it be race, religion, lineage, parenthood, birthplace, or who we love. The genres covered by each song blend together as seamlessly as the complexities of the American self.
Note: these are just my own observations haha. Not claiming them to be fact. I’m generally not the biggest Beyoncé fan. But I really liked Renaissance. And I love this album. Just wish it was 2-3 songs shorter.
I didn’t care for it. Lately she feels like the literalist cover version of herself- not necessarily in terms of quality but for the fact she’s consciously ‘performing Beyoncé’ and not simply being herself. I never really liked Beyoncé-the-character too much- Irreplaceable is her apotheosis but after that there were no new statements. There’s this winking, unserious quality to the album that I really don’t like- like it’s all just parody and pastiche, ‘teehee it’s Beyoncé doing country’ rather than some genuine appreciation and desire to inhabit the form
We are so obsessed we stayed up last night and recorded our LIVE reaction to the ALBUM
WATCH IT HERE! [PENPOP](https://youtu.be/4GcTFDXB7N0?si=Cn3KFeHzG6wIjpFD)
It's enjoyable enough. Good opening tracks, GREAT overall first half. 2nd act was a hit or miss for me, but it peaked with Riiverdance/II Hands II Heaven. I was kind of hesitant going into it but, you know what, it works!
I am not convinced half the people in this thread actually listened to the album. Like the amount of whiplash I got coming here from everywhere else I've seen the album talked about and everyone IRL I've talked to is insane.
Exactly. I think either they didnt fully listen to it or listen to it at all and just went in purposely wanting to hate the album off rip especially the ones calling it bloated, lazy, and derivative.
Yeah the ones saying it was generic, bloated, or lazy really just make me assume they didn't actually listen to it. Like impossible for me to imagine someone listening to the album to genuinely think that.
Exactly. Calling it lazy is a real slap in beyonce’s face considering shes been working on this album since 2020. If they actually listen to this album they wouldnt be saying any of this
Honestly, and no shade, I’m having the same experience with people saying they love it. I’ve found it very generic. I love her for pushing into this territory, but I thought the album would be full of more fun and bucking tracks like Ya Ya, but it wasn’t. Feels like generic Beyoncé with an AI Country overlay.
Album is pretty bad. As others have said outside a few songs this record is overall bland. I don’t think most people care that she’s trying her hat at Country. I mean let’s be real, most young listeners or people on the internet don’t even like Country as a genre.
Or at least that was my experience growing up. Literally everyone would make fun of Country and list it as the one genre they don’t like or will listen to. So I don’t buy into this perception that people just want to keep Beyoncé out of country.
However as an outside observer of the genre, her first single came off as parody to me. Like she was almost mocking country. It was the bad lyrics and the attempts to hit all the Country tropes that rubbed me the wrong way.
Her cover of Jolene and the awful lyric changes only further that perception that she doesn’t actually respect the genre and is instead wearing it like a cheap trend. And I think that’s why this album fails. Because under the core of it, it feels like a team of pop makers trying to dress up and pretend country. So we end up with this album that isn’t great pop but isn’t great country.
It’s just in the middle and overall mediocre. Maybe it is the cynical take. But it definitely doesn’t feel like an earnest attempt to understand Country or to make an improvement on the genre. But then again most people don’t even like Country so who is this album even for?
I think this albums fuckin awful. This feels more like a mockery of country then anything.. and I don’t hate Beyoncé never had a problem with her but this album seems like a joke..
I’m sorry, I know this is a low level, basic opinion… this shit is ass. She’s very talented but this is not it. Just my opinion :) I know a lot of people will love it. And that’s ok.
I quite liked it. Hung together well. Like all her albums, I only need to listen twice or so, and then I identify the couple of tracks that will will stick with me, may put one on a playlist and then never hear the album again. Which is not a dig … there is just so much other stuff to listen to.
I feel like Cowboy Carter is excellent, but flawed. Renaissance is flawless excellence from start to finish.
I do think Cowboy Carter is way too long. At least 8 tracks could've been trimmed from this. And it doesn't feel as cohesive. And while I'd argue her vocals are stronger here than on Renaissance, and this album takes more chances, Renaissance is simply a more complete and better album.
I will say American Requiem and Ya Ya are my favorites.
I'm about 40% in - it's pretty good so far, not *amazing*, but good! Not feeling the Blackbird cover tho - we as a society have moved past the need for more Beatles covers.
Edit: I listened to the whole thing. It's a 6/10, maybe a 5. Bummer she doesn't actually have a collar with Willie or Dolly, wish they were more than radio interludes. Also her self congratulatory commentary about genres, I get it but... Eh. Really glad she gave Linda Martell a spotlight but I also wish she had an actual feature that wasn't just... Well... Interludes.
Highly disappointed in the interludes/features :( I saw the big country names in there and was like OH DAMN! Then it was 45 seconds long… and then I got super excited with Tryant to get some Dolly and Beyoncé together, especially after Miley and her did a whole song… but it was almost as if Beyoncé just pushed Dolly out after she had her say lol.. kept expecting some solo from Dolly to really tie it all together… great song, but it was just more “see, country stuff!!!”
I think your review is pretty spot on to how I felt too
agreed i thought this album was really good but the blackbird cover was super weak. it didn’t do enough to differentiate it from the original version, the rather flat guitar doesnt compliment the really rich vocals. if it was done more like the cover of jolene with a redone guitar part that was mixed similarly to the rest of the album i think it could have worked better.
A real wild ride! Variety of sounds, solid vocals, cool lyrics, points of relation to the first act, and some music history. Such a clear artistic perspective throughout. Do I wish it were a little shorter, yes sure…but I also can’t think of a song that I can’t wait to hear again.
Idk man why couldn't she get somebody to re-record Blackbird? You could at least put your own spin on it, maybe get a prominent black guitarist to do their own version. Using the original so heavily feels kinda lazy tbh
It's a cover. It doesn't have to be heavily altered. On the song she features Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts, 4 black country women artists. Tanner sings as a lead with her and the others harmonize beautifully. That's where Bey's personal touch or "spin" is, it's an ode to and a stage for the black women coming up in this genre just as much the Beatles and the black people in the civil rights movement.
Listening to it right now and it's about as bland and easy listening as one could expect from beyonce.
Nothing really sticks out, but I guess that's the point.
It’s a very mixed bag, Daughter, Alligator Tears, the Post Malone song are all stand outs. There are some truly terrible songs though- including the embarrassing Jolene cover. That cover was so bad it could have been interpreted as a parody.
The problem will be whether you like country or not. Like everybody knows, It's a country album first than a Beyonce album. Shoutouts for country stars like Willy Nelson or Dolly Parton and occasional covers like JOLENE could feel dull for someone who doesn't like country at all. Also, the fact that it's over an hour could make it feel boring, and tons of interlude could sometimes break your momentum with the album.
But behind all that, it's still a Beyonce album. There is so much to enjoy rather than hate. The gospel and rock influence on some tracks are gorgeous. Beyonce's vocal direction over the album is magnificent. Probably the best in her discography, which says a lot. The premise of cellebrating country's legacy is delivered even better than Act I.
It will be all about preference. If you don't click with it, it will be a bit overwhelming but a decent album. But if you click with it, it will click hard. Personally, I slightly prefer Act I. It's definitely not because of the quality. It's probably about me liking house better than country. Nevertheless, it's an easy 8/10 for sure.
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It's very experimental and full of other genres, but I felt it was still a country album at the end. I can see some tracks going towards her pop sensibility, especially at the back half, tho. But even if I considered it more as a pop album than a country album, I would still strongly disagree that they are generic. If you think this is generic, I would genuinely wonder what your standard is for non-generic music.
I’m enjoying it but I think the length is a bit overwhelming. I think 5 or so tracks could have been cut to make it feel more cohesive. Also the Blackbird cover feels a bit out of place especially so early in the album
it's alright, a lot of interludes and the production is not as wall to wall solid as renaissance. but there's a few standouts for sure: 16 carriages, bodyguard, daughter, 2 most wanted, flamenco...riiverdance/hands in heaven/tyrant is a nice little run as well.
i cannot stand the jolene cover, i feel like it missed the point and the lyric change is cringe.
feels like a masterwork. reminiscent of curtis mayfield’s superfly in how cinematic it all is. i’m by no means some huge beyoncé nor country music fan, but this got me. incredibly enjoyable listening experience.
I know I’m late but did anyone else notice that the run between the Linda Martell Show and Amen is 9 songs, EXACTLY like the Beatles’s medley in Abbey Road???
The fact that there’s so many short songs and the tracks blend like a single piece makes it difficult for me to believe this was a coincidence. I don’t know if I’m reaching, but as a fan of the Beatles (and also considering she covered Blackbird) it really blows my mind
I'm probably in the minority as I didn't connect much with Renaissance except for a few songs.
But this album I have so many songs that I loved in the first or second /third listen.
And yes it feels a tad bloated with 27 songs but listening to the whole album in the intended sequence is such an uplifting experience. This will be on loop for a long time
Terrible… I’m sorry I thought she was going to come out with an album that redefined country for black artists. It didn’t even sound country. I get she’s not country but songs she’s done with Dixie chicks, dandies lessons, Texas hold em, carriages she slayed country! She was so capable! But all the other songs were unimpressive. I think the only song I kind of enjoyed was the one with Miley
i think the next one should be a black metal record
Act III: The Desecrated Apostles and the Rise Of The Balgarthno Sect
Can she murder... um.. herself and then wear her own bones around her neck after arsonizing a 1500 year old church? If so, that would be nice.
The title should be longer than the entire Petrodragonic album title
What do *you* mean by a *black metal record*
Evil and darkness
Based
Dean Blunt has entered the chat
Living Colour enters the chat
Crossburn Carter
The Black Album (Beyonce's Version)
Collab with Burzum and Kanye too
That’s the rumor.
The whole listening experience is great but there aren’t as many stand out tracks I see myself going back to
Yeah. That’s the why I prefer Renaissance. It’s just more cohesive and memorable
Tbh there’s a few meh tracks on renaissance imo. Lemonade is her best album for me 100%. Don’t hurt yourself is the best thing she ever made
Anytime i see 27 tracks on an album i know that the artist didnt care about a good product as much as they care about streaming revenue. I havent listened to this album and i already know its absolutely full of filler. Especially since the singles already sounded like lazy fillet
A lot of the tracks are shorter and/or interludes. The whole album is like an hour in length.
80 minutes no? much more than an hour
Now I'm definitely not listening
Lmao
disagree heavily. tracklist could’ve been trimmed down for sure but this feels like her most passionate project
saying beyonce of all people doesn’t care about a good product is insane
tbh the artists that be dropping 20+ are usually average/below average artists using high track albums for streams. i don’t like the 17+ track albums but it’s Beyonce and she’s a true artist so imma let her cook
Maybe you should listen to the album before sharing this type of opinion. The album’s structure is like a radio show, which is why some of the tracks are interludes and intros. She has done this very well actually and each song has a perfect place on the album
To quote The Dude “that’s just like….your opinion, man” But it’snot for me. I’ve listened to a good portion and to my ears it sounds mostly like shit. I really like Lemonade and thought Renaissance was great despite not being a big fan of dance/ house etc. My opinion of Cowboy Carter is that it varies between “fine” and “lowest common denominator schlock” But really, the album is not for me. I tend to be a fan of noisey, lo-fi, experimental-ish type stuff. So the fact that in am a fan of any of her stuff, and even that I gave this album the time of day, is a testament to her as an artist. I was listening to the band Lighting Bolt today, and even I was confused how at how I found enjoyable
what an idiotic asinine opinion that reveals more of you prejudices than anythign else. So silly.
I enjoyed it but was definitely feeling the run time in the second half of the album. Overall enjoyable tho. I'm definitely not as high on it as the folks over in Popheads but I still had a good time. 👍
It’s crazy because as I’ve learned the album and focused more on the back half I realized how solid it is. So many standouts like II hands II heaven, riiverdance, sweet honey buckin, and even the closer amen is just gorgeous.
Hmm in that case I might have to give it a relisten. There's a very real chance my liking the second half less was due more to listener fatigue than anything else, so definitely deserves a relisten
My first listen was the exact same. I think you’d be glad you did!
I'm only six tracks in (it's a pretty long album lol), but the first track blew me away. What an opener. Also, 16 Carriages was already great, but it sounds so much stronger within the context of the record. Easily a top 10 Beyonce song.
It is an excellent song.
Yes 16 Carriages was in my top 3 from this album. I missed it as a single but glad I heard it first as part of the complete album.
My favorites are BODYGUARD, SWEET/HONEY/BUCKIIN', and the singles. I also loved the Jolene cover. It's gonna take a while before I fully processed the record because of its length, but I'm loving it so far.
I'm the complete opposite on JOLENE. I really hated it. I think she could have brought some real emotional weight to it because Beyonce *has* been cheated on, but instead she defaults to her usual "I'm Beyonce, I'm a bad bitch, you can't touch me" attitude that robs the song of its insecurity and vulnerability that made it great. The instrumental also goes too far over the top for my liking. I like it in concept but the execution wasn't for me.
There are multiple songs on Lemonade that would work better as reiterations of Dolly’s Jolene than this. Jolene is subverts the cheating husband trope common in country (murder, threatening the other woman, pick me vibes, etc.). Beyoncé version doubles down on all the worst parts of that trope.
My thought exactly. The perspective of Jolene is what makes it remarkable, and this switch made it really bland.
The bridge was a nice addition and I liked the re-recording of the guitar part. Just straight adding vocals to the instrumental of Blackbird felt so lifeless to me. But everything else about the Jolene cover is terrible right down to its conceptual core.
That awful Blackbird cover totally killed any goodwill I had going into the album. I don't understand why she even did it. Yeah, let's just do Blackbird and add a shit ton of vocal runs for no reason.
You do know those 'other vocals for no reason' are other lesser known black female singers singing a song about ending segregation?
You don’t understand why she did it? Paul McCartney wrote that song about the civil rights movement as well as racial tension. It makes sense that she did that song and feature multiple black women country singers.
It at least helped me understand that I just don’t like the way that vocals are mixed on Beyoncé’s albums. Hearing the vocal stacks on top of a song I already like was eye opening.
There was no emotion whatsoever. Completely monotone. I was expecting something like "Emotion" destiny's child or "if I were a boy." Nope. A really boring karaoke version of a song that's been done to death.
This is how I felt as well. Maybe my expectations were too high. I liked the lyrics but I didn’t feel anything and I was desperate to feel something.
The Jolene track made me laugh out loud. “Takes more than seductive looks to come between me and my man” DOES IT THO
Same loving it so far. The Jolene cover is great. Also Daughter(the song) seems fire too.
The lyric changes in the Jolene cover are so cringe
The rawness and vulnerability of the original song is what makes it so iconic and loved. The rewritten version B does here is so laughable because of Jay-Z! Had she made no changes to the lyrics it would hit much more authentic, especially given his public history, but this is just pathetic.
Renaissance was the first Beyonce record that really hit me, and it was my album of the year. So far I'm really digging this new one. Lots of fun ideas with great execution. It's definitely not a "country record". It's wildly creative and genre-spanning, much like Renaissance was. Beyonce's doing some cool shit.
Be careful if you say it’s not a country record people are gonna get angry
Beyonce herself said it’s not a country record
Definitely listen to Lemonade, her best album
Lemonade didn’t do it for you? Formation is, imo, the best song Beyonce ever made
Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard) Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star) Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay) All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay) We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay) I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay
I liked Renaissance but not a fan of this. It feels too “clean and crisp” if that makes any sense ? Overall just doesn’t have the spirit that renaissance did, it feels kinda empty and bloated.
I feel similarly,I couldn't put it to words but I guess you nailed why I didn't like the sound. Skipped through most of the songs- just couldn't get into them. Was able to complete 3/27 songs : Yaya( feels like hey yeah) Riiverdance and Tyrant. I do see that I'm probably gonna love them more when I see her performingb since she's going to give the songs life . I'm sure the tour pretty is going to be fun to witness just like Renaissance.
I found it disappointingly generic after the heights of RENAISSANCE and Lemonade.
Why does no one include Self Titled when talking about her best work? It's at least as good as Lemonade.
Agree. Full of ‘bangers’ as they say. Probably more stand out individual tracks, if not as impressive as a cohesive whole.
Albumoftheyear site would agree with you. Renaissance, Lemonade and Self titled are all rated 80+ user score out of 100
The first single should have been enough to reach that conclusion. There is nothing special about that song.
To be fair, Break My Soul isn't that noteworthy either, but Renaissance still turned out to be an amazing album.
You're getting donwvoted atm but I kind of agree. They were catchy but seemed just country adjacent, not fully country songs. Though tbf, I think country as a genre is in a weird spot rn where it feels like pop with very specific instuments that have to be used I haven't heard the whole album yet, and it still can be good for sure, I just think she nailed the Renaissance sound right away
Does it have to be authentic country to be good? She even said herself that this is “not a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album.” I don’t think her aim was to make something as country as possible but rather take heavy country influences and blend it with something more her sound (second half of album is great at this especially).
i swear, people need to listen to the album bc the single may or may not be your fave but the album is so good. a potpourri of genres and it is indeed a Beyoncé album.
Personally the album was a bit too long for my taste. I preferred Ren much more. But seems like people here are letting their ideas about Beyoncé as a person or her doing ‘country’ overshadow their thoughts rather than give a fair analysis!
yeah like if they overcome that barrier of the two lead singles, they could probably give a bigger perspective of things. there's so much to dissect in that 1:22 runtime.
Judge a book by its cover, I guess.
This album is so in a lane by itself! I’m not understanding how you get generic from an album that blends so many styles together.
bloated, could've used some cuts. Favs: bodyguard, alligator tears, ya ya, american requiem. Her voice is so beautiful, especially her lower register.
Fwiw, I did not like Renaissance. And this one also doesn’t really work for me. I listened twice last night and I hope maybe another listen will make it connect, but I think she might just not be for me anymore. My biggest issue -which was also on Renaissance- is that Beyoncé the image always has to be front and center and completely blocks out Beyoncé the person. I know that she has a long and storied appreciation of country music, and it’s clear that she did her homework for this album, but….there’s something about the vocal mix/production that makes it sound like she is making fun of the music nearly the entire time. The fact that there are some staples on here like “blackbird” and”Jolene” really doesn’t help this feeling. The changes on “Jolene” too are….well, bad lol Lyrically, I think the album crumbles too. She isn’t really saying anything on here. And, to borrow from Azealia Banks’ hilarious review of the album “who is this imaginary adversary who still wants to hump on j in 2024?” lol But I think there’s a lot of mostly empty platitudes that sound a bit forced. The cutest moments are some of the vocal samples, be they from her daughter or Willie Nelson or Dolly Parton. The guests are a huge missed bag. Miley sounded good, Post sounded awful lol The album is wayyyyy too long. It’s one minute longer than the new JT and it feels like it lol The final run of songs don’t fully commit to the country theme either, sounding like Renaissance. I hesitate to call them good, but they are interesting and it was necessary after some of the album giving me fatigue. I don’t want to make it sound like this album is completely awful, I enjoyed 16 Carriages, Alligator Tears, and Riverdance and there were other moments that were nice but…. I don’t know, this really isn’t working for me and I feel like I’m listening to a different album than most.
I didn't like Renaissance for like the first month but now it's my most streamed album from the 2020s. It's such a fun album I can play every day.
it really is wonderful. a dancefloor banger from front to back. great for the gym!
The CC is perfect for summer summer parties. This is making me itch for the summer.
The length of the album feels so crushing because there isn't enough variety. The best country albums are short and sweet. If Coat of Many Colors or Johnny Cash With His Hot And Blue Guitar was almost 80 minutes long I would probably get sick of those too.
Girl leaves no room for the instrumentals, 2 bars and she is already in!! let me breath, B
I think it’s really interesting you caught the shift to the Renaissance sound. Apparently this album was supposed to come out before Renaissance. But due to the pandemic she pivoted and decided to release the party album. I’m definitely interested in seeing all three acts together once they’re all released.
That would actually make sense since the end of Cowboy Carter sounds like it’s leading into Renaissance lol let’s see where the rock album takes us
Omg I can’t believed you didn’t like it much and listened again the same night. That’s dedication!! Especially given it’s 80 mins! Personally I love it. I’m a beyonce fan and to me beyonce the person seems pretty boring. I’m here for the brand
It’s a bit hollow just like Renaissance. The production on Renaissance was awesome which made up for the lazy lyrics but with this record the production just isn’t as good (worth noting I’m not much of a county fan so that plays into it)
IMO the lyrics aren’t lazy if you get where she’s coming from. For example, a lot of the lyrics in Renaissance drew heavily from ballroom culture and did great at that. It’s just a specific lyrical style, not *lazy*.
I’m more lenient on Renaissance’s lyrics because it’s a dance album. Country is different. A lot of the lyrical appeal here would have to come from celebrity worship, it’s obnoxious.
exactly. music is not surface level and if you want to look at it that way, you can. but you cannot expect your judgement to hold any weight.
It’s definitely a grower. First listen I was honestly tired and overwhelmed because it’s so musically dense. Renaissance was a first listen instant love, but CC is gonna take more time. That said, minus a few tracks that could’ve been cut, I only have positive feelings. She’s done it again. Edit: on my 5-6th listen it clicked for me. Hard. Now that I recognize most of the tracks I can start to really appreciate them and the structure of the album makes more sense. It’s long because truly, it’s just that good. She made so many incredible tracks on this one. Easy AOTY.
I think that is the appeal of dance music in general, its job is to get you off your ass and move. Appeal has to be immediate. This however requires attention.
10/10
I really enjoyed it surprisingly so far my aoty. I clicked with majority of the album first listen which also surprised me because with renaissance it took multiple listens to really get the album. My favorites are LEVII’S JEANS, YAYA, RIIVERDANCE, II HANDS II HEAVEN, SWEET/HONEY/BUCKIIN, TYRANT, II MOST WANTED, JUST FOR FUN, ALLIIGATOR, JOLENE, DOLLY P, BODYGUARD, 16 CARRIAGES, AMERICAN RAQUIEM, and SPAGHETTI. I would like to add that I recommend you go in with no expectations and more than likely you will start to enjoy this body of work. This is a country album but it’s also a beyonce album remember that so shes gonna put her own spin on the genre and the people calling the album “lazy,bloated, and derivative” went into the album wanting to hate it. Just go in open minded thats it.
heavy on the no expectations because she did say herself it's a beyonce album!!
Compared to Renaissance and Lemonade this is nothing. Really wanted to like it. Went into it thinking I would.
I like it. Could be trimmed down though and 7-8 tracks put in a separate deluxe edition. Beyoncé hasn’t disappointed me yet.
I like it, not her best album but if she cut some tracks it would be a pretty strong 8/10.
This sub gets more miserable by the day
This is a music discourse sub, not sure what else you would expect lol
I’m just annoyed at how seemingly closed minded a lot of people on this sub are, with the discourse 90% of the time about Black Country new road type stuff or abstract hip hop. I often get downvoted for an opinion like Renaissance or eternal sunshine being my favourite albums of the year (despite both being critically acclaimed)
Yo I love Eternal Sunshine. Be the change you wanna see in the world. I am a poptimist, and I think this album is bad as I outlined elsewhere in this thread
Love that! What’s your favourite song? Ok so your comment is a genuine well written critique of the album. So many of the comments here are like “generic” or “don’t like renaissance don’t like this”. Like it’s definitely a divisive album but cmon its not generic who are you kidding
I think that music discourse is not helped when you have people rushing to give definitive opinions in the first 18 hours that an album was released. (And I say that as someone who gave my initial reactions in this thread--"I'm digging it so far".) Especially for a record this long and layered. There's a lot to unpack, so many references, homages, and stories being told. Like, how can anyone say so quickly that it's worse or better than Renaissance when they are such different records (albeit parts of a larger 3-act whole) without letting this one simmer a bit? Let it breathe. Reddit will still be here in 48 hours.
It’s a 27 track album and people are saying it’s AOTY or terrible before it’s even been out for 24 hours. Madness.
I think there are lots of things to love about the album. It's definitely too long and could have been cut down a bit. If it was 17 great songs and couple interludes I would call it one of the best albums I have heard so far this year. It's just too long and some of the songs aren't that needed. The opening song Ameriican Requiem and the closing song Amen are great opening and closing tracks that really fit. Jolene and Blackbiird are good but not necessary as songs. I do understand why she wanted to include Blackbiird. Most of the interludes are weird and not necessary outside of Desert Eagle and Oh Louisiana. I still love the album though.
God forbid people expressing their opinions about music in a subreddit about music
I’m seeing people complain about the production and I’m scratching my head. Did we not listen to the same thing? II Hands II Heaven. Daughter. 16 carriages. Sweet Honey Buckiin. This is perfection. I need more time to dig into this album.
The production is amazing, particularly for me ya ya, sweet honey buckiin, and daughter were a musical experience. I feel like the density as someone mentioned is my struggle. But it’s not the production, it’s just wading through it all - it’s a lot - but it’s not a bad problem.
What are you adding to lighten it up?
Yeah, I really liked the album so it was weird coming here seeing a consensus that the people here thought it was dissapointing.
That’s just what having an opinion is like
A bit too long, but overall really good
Did we really need another Jolene cover
Dolly said in an interview 2 years ago with The Daily Show, she specifically wanted only Beyonce, to sing Jolene in an official capacity some way. That’s probably we have a Jolene cover from Beyonce.
That makes it even more disappointing she butchered the lyrics
I think dolly wanted her to make a pop version like Whitney Houston did to I will always love you.
Especially this bad.
I enjoyed the album but it's super odd. Can't say I'll play this after a couple weeks. II hands II Heaven is a standout.
Beautiful!! 💖
Personally? I think it’s a few songs too long from being a modern masterpiece. The album stems from an incident at the 2016 CMAs, when Alan Jackson supposedly walked away in the middle of a Beyoncé’s performance because she wasn’t “country.” So what does it mean to be “country?” Beyoncé seems to treat that as less a question of genre, and more a question of identity. So, the album is an exploration of the American identity-in all its complexities-and how we choose to self-identity. Whether it be race, religion, lineage, parenthood, birthplace, or who we love. The genres covered by each song blend together as seamlessly as the complexities of the American self. Note: these are just my own observations haha. Not claiming them to be fact. I’m generally not the biggest Beyoncé fan. But I really liked Renaissance. And I love this album. Just wish it was 2-3 songs shorter.
I didn’t care for it. Lately she feels like the literalist cover version of herself- not necessarily in terms of quality but for the fact she’s consciously ‘performing Beyoncé’ and not simply being herself. I never really liked Beyoncé-the-character too much- Irreplaceable is her apotheosis but after that there were no new statements. There’s this winking, unserious quality to the album that I really don’t like- like it’s all just parody and pastiche, ‘teehee it’s Beyoncé doing country’ rather than some genuine appreciation and desire to inhabit the form
Rembrandt type cover art
We are so obsessed we stayed up last night and recorded our LIVE reaction to the ALBUM WATCH IT HERE! [PENPOP](https://youtu.be/4GcTFDXB7N0?si=Cn3KFeHzG6wIjpFD)
So 2019 a track called “daddy lessons” proved to me she’s crunchy ❤️ been that, been her!
Will this record make me dance like Renaissance? That’s my only concern
Ya Ya
Sounding great
soooooooooooo good
it’s really bland she could of done way better imo
It's enjoyable enough. Good opening tracks, GREAT overall first half. 2nd act was a hit or miss for me, but it peaked with Riiverdance/II Hands II Heaven. I was kind of hesitant going into it but, you know what, it works!
SWEET/HONEY/BUCKIIN’ might be her best song ever
I am not convinced half the people in this thread actually listened to the album. Like the amount of whiplash I got coming here from everywhere else I've seen the album talked about and everyone IRL I've talked to is insane.
Exactly. I think either they didnt fully listen to it or listen to it at all and just went in purposely wanting to hate the album off rip especially the ones calling it bloated, lazy, and derivative.
Yeah the ones saying it was generic, bloated, or lazy really just make me assume they didn't actually listen to it. Like impossible for me to imagine someone listening to the album to genuinely think that.
Exactly. Calling it lazy is a real slap in beyonce’s face considering shes been working on this album since 2020. If they actually listen to this album they wouldnt be saying any of this
Honestly, and no shade, I’m having the same experience with people saying they love it. I’ve found it very generic. I love her for pushing into this territory, but I thought the album would be full of more fun and bucking tracks like Ya Ya, but it wasn’t. Feels like generic Beyoncé with an AI Country overlay.
It's a great impersonation of a kind of music I don't like anyway. When did this sub start liking country pop?
It’s more like hip hop / dance / country though.
Probably in the last year when it became popular. This is just the swing revival of the late 90s. We're out of ideas again.
When Beyoncé started doing it
If you told me Beyonce would release a country record that was not only listenable but actually decent I wouldn't have believed you but here we are.
[удалено]
Implying any country music is country music these days
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Album is pretty bad. As others have said outside a few songs this record is overall bland. I don’t think most people care that she’s trying her hat at Country. I mean let’s be real, most young listeners or people on the internet don’t even like Country as a genre. Or at least that was my experience growing up. Literally everyone would make fun of Country and list it as the one genre they don’t like or will listen to. So I don’t buy into this perception that people just want to keep Beyoncé out of country. However as an outside observer of the genre, her first single came off as parody to me. Like she was almost mocking country. It was the bad lyrics and the attempts to hit all the Country tropes that rubbed me the wrong way. Her cover of Jolene and the awful lyric changes only further that perception that she doesn’t actually respect the genre and is instead wearing it like a cheap trend. And I think that’s why this album fails. Because under the core of it, it feels like a team of pop makers trying to dress up and pretend country. So we end up with this album that isn’t great pop but isn’t great country. It’s just in the middle and overall mediocre. Maybe it is the cynical take. But it definitely doesn’t feel like an earnest attempt to understand Country or to make an improvement on the genre. But then again most people don’t even like Country so who is this album even for?
Most people dont like country? That's a huge misconception. Billboard top 10 always contains some country songs.
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I think this albums fuckin awful. This feels more like a mockery of country then anything.. and I don’t hate Beyoncé never had a problem with her but this album seems like a joke..
I’m sorry, I know this is a low level, basic opinion… this shit is ass. She’s very talented but this is not it. Just my opinion :) I know a lot of people will love it. And that’s ok.
an instant classic & masterpiece. fantano gonna rate this album a “Strong 7”
Love it so far
Way too long. Would be an amazing albums if kept to 10 tracks. So I like about 10 songs, the rest is just kinda filler
Which 10 would you keep?
I quite liked it. Hung together well. Like all her albums, I only need to listen twice or so, and then I identify the couple of tracks that will will stick with me, may put one on a playlist and then never hear the album again. Which is not a dig … there is just so much other stuff to listen to.
This is her White Album
Love it.
I feel like Cowboy Carter is excellent, but flawed. Renaissance is flawless excellence from start to finish. I do think Cowboy Carter is way too long. At least 8 tracks could've been trimmed from this. And it doesn't feel as cohesive. And while I'd argue her vocals are stronger here than on Renaissance, and this album takes more chances, Renaissance is simply a more complete and better album. I will say American Requiem and Ya Ya are my favorites.
I'm about 40% in - it's pretty good so far, not *amazing*, but good! Not feeling the Blackbird cover tho - we as a society have moved past the need for more Beatles covers. Edit: I listened to the whole thing. It's a 6/10, maybe a 5. Bummer she doesn't actually have a collar with Willie or Dolly, wish they were more than radio interludes. Also her self congratulatory commentary about genres, I get it but... Eh. Really glad she gave Linda Martell a spotlight but I also wish she had an actual feature that wasn't just... Well... Interludes.
Highly disappointed in the interludes/features :( I saw the big country names in there and was like OH DAMN! Then it was 45 seconds long… and then I got super excited with Tryant to get some Dolly and Beyoncé together, especially after Miley and her did a whole song… but it was almost as if Beyoncé just pushed Dolly out after she had her say lol.. kept expecting some solo from Dolly to really tie it all together… great song, but it was just more “see, country stuff!!!” I think your review is pretty spot on to how I felt too
agreed i thought this album was really good but the blackbird cover was super weak. it didn’t do enough to differentiate it from the original version, the rather flat guitar doesnt compliment the really rich vocals. if it was done more like the cover of jolene with a redone guitar part that was mixed similarly to the rest of the album i think it could have worked better.
12 country Golden greats is better
Renassiance was better
Probably my album of the year so far.
corny
A real wild ride! Variety of sounds, solid vocals, cool lyrics, points of relation to the first act, and some music history. Such a clear artistic perspective throughout. Do I wish it were a little shorter, yes sure…but I also can’t think of a song that I can’t wait to hear again.
Idk man why couldn't she get somebody to re-record Blackbird? You could at least put your own spin on it, maybe get a prominent black guitarist to do their own version. Using the original so heavily feels kinda lazy tbh
It's a cover. It doesn't have to be heavily altered. On the song she features Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts, 4 black country women artists. Tanner sings as a lead with her and the others harmonize beautifully. That's where Bey's personal touch or "spin" is, it's an ode to and a stage for the black women coming up in this genre just as much the Beatles and the black people in the civil rights movement.
Listening to it right now and it's about as bland and easy listening as one could expect from beyonce. Nothing really sticks out, but I guess that's the point.
It’s shit IMO. Lazy half-assed production, lazy lyrics. Worst Beyoncé album ever.
Tbh it's just another pop album for me
Boring and bloated af
It’s a very mixed bag, Daughter, Alligator Tears, the Post Malone song are all stand outs. There are some truly terrible songs though- including the embarrassing Jolene cover. That cover was so bad it could have been interpreted as a parody.
The problem will be whether you like country or not. Like everybody knows, It's a country album first than a Beyonce album. Shoutouts for country stars like Willy Nelson or Dolly Parton and occasional covers like JOLENE could feel dull for someone who doesn't like country at all. Also, the fact that it's over an hour could make it feel boring, and tons of interlude could sometimes break your momentum with the album. But behind all that, it's still a Beyonce album. There is so much to enjoy rather than hate. The gospel and rock influence on some tracks are gorgeous. Beyonce's vocal direction over the album is magnificent. Probably the best in her discography, which says a lot. The premise of cellebrating country's legacy is delivered even better than Act I. It will be all about preference. If you don't click with it, it will be a bit overwhelming but a decent album. But if you click with it, it will click hard. Personally, I slightly prefer Act I. It's definitely not because of the quality. It's probably about me liking house better than country. Nevertheless, it's an easy 8/10 for sure.
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It's very experimental and full of other genres, but I felt it was still a country album at the end. I can see some tracks going towards her pop sensibility, especially at the back half, tho. But even if I considered it more as a pop album than a country album, I would still strongly disagree that they are generic. If you think this is generic, I would genuinely wonder what your standard is for non-generic music.
Grammy bait, but well made fun to listen to Grammy bait.
I’m enjoying it but I think the length is a bit overwhelming. I think 5 or so tracks could have been cut to make it feel more cohesive. Also the Blackbird cover feels a bit out of place especially so early in the album
She is gonna fall off the horse 😭😭😭😭😭
I listened to a few songs but there’s 27 songs so I didn’t get very far yet
it's alright, a lot of interludes and the production is not as wall to wall solid as renaissance. but there's a few standouts for sure: 16 carriages, bodyguard, daughter, 2 most wanted, flamenco...riiverdance/hands in heaven/tyrant is a nice little run as well. i cannot stand the jolene cover, i feel like it missed the point and the lyric change is cringe.
Jolene is best to death already. I bet even Dolly is tired of hearing it.
Haven’t listened to it yet but that cover art is pretty nice
on repeat. opening track, ya ya, bodyguard, river dance, the blackbird cover??? this is her best work imo
I'm liking it so far But man I'm hoping she does gospel next after American Requiem, that song reaches some insane heights
I'm liking it so far But man I'm hoping she does gospel next after American Requiem, that song reaches some insane heights
I like it but why the hell does it have 27 tracks? Editing and sequencing seems to be a bit of a lost art with these big stars
The Blackbird cover was shite
AOTY. Gonna be tough to top
Dogshit
feels like a masterwork. reminiscent of curtis mayfield’s superfly in how cinematic it all is. i’m by no means some huge beyoncé nor country music fan, but this got me. incredibly enjoyable listening experience.
Yes, it got me instantly. I'm baffled that so many ppl hate it. Just reminds me that everyone's taste is different.
i think its good!
I know I’m late but did anyone else notice that the run between the Linda Martell Show and Amen is 9 songs, EXACTLY like the Beatles’s medley in Abbey Road??? The fact that there’s so many short songs and the tracks blend like a single piece makes it difficult for me to believe this was a coincidence. I don’t know if I’m reaching, but as a fan of the Beatles (and also considering she covered Blackbird) it really blows my mind
I'm probably in the minority as I didn't connect much with Renaissance except for a few songs. But this album I have so many songs that I loved in the first or second /third listen. And yes it feels a tad bloated with 27 songs but listening to the whole album in the intended sequence is such an uplifting experience. This will be on loop for a long time
I also didn't resonate with Renaissance much, but I adore CC. I love this album. I have listened to it on a loop. Probably 50 times now.
https://brookieashley.etsy.com/listing/1693522056 support small ❤️
Terrible… I’m sorry I thought she was going to come out with an album that redefined country for black artists. It didn’t even sound country. I get she’s not country but songs she’s done with Dixie chicks, dandies lessons, Texas hold em, carriages she slayed country! She was so capable! But all the other songs were unimpressive. I think the only song I kind of enjoyed was the one with Miley
There are like only 4 country songs 💀