Song Spotlight: Beyoncé's "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" & "16 CARRIAGES"

    If you told me Beyoncé would commit to making a full-length country album a couple of years ago I'd probably have been like "whaaa??" I don't keep up with Beyoncé too often, but I love and respect her as an artist so much I can't help but check in with her from time to time. So when she broke the internet by dropping her latest singles "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" and "16 CARRIAGES" I had to check them out! And I'm so glad that I did!

    First up, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" is a hoedown treat. I started line dancing upon first listen. I'm kidding, but as a fellow southerner, I can't help but feel proud of Beyoncé for releasing this song. And representing all of us southern folk that haven't made country as a genre our whole life. I grew up during a time where R&B and hip-hop ruled the airwaves. So I like to think of R&B as my gateway into music. It was only later that I embraced country as a genre and took it seriously. And it's songs like this that remind me that music has fun every once in awhile. It's very nice. 

    As for the second single, "16 CARRIAGES," I also adore it a lot. It tells a story from the heart just as country music should do. And of course Beyoncé sound fantastic on it. As she sounds amazing on everything she has ever recorded vocals on. I'm still hoping this one catches on with audiences like the other single has done. 

    Overall, I think it was genius to release both of these songs as lead single from Act II. I'm so excited for the album now because it was rumored Beyoncé would release a country album, but that caused some raised eyebrows. But the fun "TEXAS" and the serious and artistic "CARRIAGES" immediately make you take Beyoncé seriously, and you can tell this is going to be a passion project. It's going to just be perfect, I know it!

Rank: S Rank

Recommendation: Yeehaw!