Cowboy Carter
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Beyoncé and Jay-Z onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Saddle up, Beyhive! Beyoncé has officially announced the title of her highly-anticipated country project: Act II: Cowboy Carter.

This revelation follows weeks of speculation and two chart-topping singles — “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” — that had fans yearning for a full-fledged country album from the queen herself.

The news dropped on Tuesday on the singer’s website, and on social media with a simple yet powerful image. A worn leather saddle adorned with a red, white, and blue sash emblazoned with the words “Cowboy Carter” took center stage, a clear visual shift from the disco ball steed featured on her 2022 album, Act I: Renaissance.

This subtle transformation hints at the sonic journey that awaits us in Act II.

Beyoncé
WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY)(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at PGE Narodowy on June 27, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood)

Cowboy Carter marks the second installment in a three-act artistic exploration that Beyoncé embarked on during the COVID-19 pandemic. While details remain scarce about the final act, fans can expect a cohesive creative journey that pushes boundaries and showcases Beyoncé’s unparalleled artistic range.

The pre-order for Act II: Cowboy Carter is now live, sending the Beyhive into a frenzy. Fans can choose from a variety of options, including limited edition covers on CD and vinyl. The deluxe versions boast exclusive bonus tracks, collectible packaging, and limited-edition merchandise featuring the now-iconic Cowboy Carter artwork.

Cowboy Carter
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: Beyoncé supports Jay-Z as he accepts the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

This country foray is a bold move for Beyoncé, but nonetheless a testament to her artistic fearlessness. With “Texas Hold ‘Em” already topping the charts as her first No. 1 country single — making Queen Bey the first Black woman to hold this spot — and “16 Carriages” receiving rave reviews, the anticipation for the full album is palpable.

Will Cowboy Carter see Beyoncé become the undisputed queen of country music as well? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: with Beyoncé at the helm, this cowboy ride promises to be unforgettable.