Top Pops: Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER

    Talk about an album I have become obsessed with. I'm loving this Beyoncé trilogy, and COWBOY CARTER is the latest delicious offering from the Queen herself. I even love the concept. The visuals have just been beautiful and just downright cool. Look at that album cover above. The Americana colors. The flag that gives the RENAISSANCE feel. And of course the beautiful horse. 

    When it comes to the music, holy cow. The vocal production here is GODLY. As to be expected of Beyoncé. But I dare say this is the Beyoncé album with the best vocal production. I was just blown away really from the first second of "AMERIICAN REQUIEM." 

    The album's overall sound is mostly country, but like a modern R&B-flavored country. Which in theory sounds like it would be clashing too much. But it works so splendidly and is so convincing. There's other genres explored here. But Beyoncé makes it seem so effortless as if she has made songs like this all along. 

    Lyrical content is spot on too. "BLACKBIIRD" is a perfect example of compelling storytelling that transcends time. And storytelling is perhaps the biggest part of country music. And Beyoncé does storytelling well here like with "16 CARRIAGES", "JOLENE," and "II MOST WANTED." It gives the album this super personal note that makes you pay super extra attention to the lyrics. "What's Beyoncé going to tell us next? What details is she going to let us in on?" I wondered to myself a lot. 

    Do I even need to say anything about the vocals? I mean... It's Beyoncé. She's always been one of the best. A perfectionist let loose with this album, and we got something grander than we ever could have imagined. And she makes all the collaborations work even when the artists have opposing styles. When I found out Miley Cyrus featured on "II MOST WANTED." I was like "oyy" because I felt like their vocals are too distinct individually. Cyrus is a hell of a performer. But her voice is a particular flavor whereas Beyoncé has this gorgeous universal tone and technique that could sound good on anything and everything like Whitney Houston. But the collaboration works well, and they each shine brightly. 

    Post Malone sounds magical on his song too. The lesser known collaborators (Shaboozey and the guests featured on "BLACKBIIRD") also get to show their stuff and strut it. I like that Beyoncé chose to feature these lesser known acts because it gives them a platform, but it also adds a genuineness of the project overall. It gives the album some southern credit. Along with the legends like Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, and Dolly Parton. Wow. Seriously, what a lineup for an album. 

    I've seen a great amount of controversy stirred up for this album. And... Why? It's great music. Enjoy it. Appreciate it. Sing along. People have dug up that 2016 performance with The Chicks at the CMAs. Like whatever. If this album doesn't hush the naysayers then they're just ignorant and should be ignored anyways. 

    Beyoncé sounds so well with just an acoustic guitar. She is seriously so beautiful inside and out. And she's so great at honoring those who came before her while paving the way for those who will come after her. It's inspiring. A message of this album is defying odds and showing people you can do anything even if it seems a little outlandish at first. Who would have ever thought one of the most successful pop/R&B acts ever would drop a country album? I'm glad she did though.

Rank: S Rank. For the cowboys and the cowgirls. 

Recommendation: The warmer weather has appeared and this has been a joy to listen to in the warmth. Give it a try.