B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Cowboy Carter into the ol’ VCR. 

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a big fan of 20th-century country, particularly 60s and 70s country. That’s not to say there isn’t some modern country I enjoy, but old-school country is my jam. Y’know, outside of the misogyny, racism, and all of the other horrible things. 

I digress. 

I love the resurgence of 60s/70s country and folk that’s starting to emerge. We saw it in Kacey Musgraves’s Deeper Well in a way that’s reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith, and Emmylou Harris. And we REALLY see it in Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter. 

I knew this album would be incredible, but I still managed to underestimate it. 

Cowboy Carter is a genre-blending and cinematic experience; the teaser trailer for Cowboy Carter even references Paris, Texas (1984). It showcases Beyoncé’s range both vocally and as an artist. Additionally, it feels like we’re being taken through Beyoncé’s life allegorically using the Wild West as our medium. 

Video source: Beyoncé

To me, each song feels like a different story in a bigger anthology. We’re taken through love and loss. Partnership and betrayal. Softness and toughness. You name it. “Daughter” feels ripped straight out of a Spaghetti Western while songs like “Protector” could easily find a home in the world of True Grit. 

She’s also still dragging Jay-Z and her father for their cheating, as well as the woman Jay-Z cheated with. Good for her. 

We also have commentary and spoken segments from LEGENDS Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton that lend to the narrative. For example, Linda Martell’s spoken segments include commentary about how artists tend to be pigeon-holed into a genre, and once they step out of their assigned genre, the criticism starts. 

For those unfamiliar, Beyoncé has been given a ton of criticism for a country album, even though she’s released songs like “Daddy Lessons” before. There are even comments about how Beyoncé isn’t “country enough” throughout the album. 

Please note that I had a Freudian slip and searched for “Daddy Issues” when looking to insert the link for “Daddy Lessons,” and I think that speaks for itself. Moving on. 

One of the only predictable things in this world is the nastiness of people. Beyoncé KNEW she would be criticized for this album, even though she’s from the South, performed at the CMAs with The Chicks, etc… 

And for a lot of this commentary to come from Linda Martell, who was not only the first commercially successful black female country artist, but also the first black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, is extremely powerful. 

Cinematic elements aside, Cowboy Carter is musical perfection. The blending of genres is seamless, and if there was any question about Beyoncé’s vocal range, you can go ahead and put your hands down. 

Additionally, pulls like Post Malone and Miley Cyrus perfectly accompany the tone and aesthetic of the album. 

Cowboy Carter is, and will be, one of my favorite albums of 2024. I’ve listened to it 3-4 times since its release, and I love it more with each listen. 

This might be controversial, but this is my favorite Beyoncé album after Lemonade. But, I don’t think it’s that surprising. I’m obviously a movie person over a music person, and both are extremely cinematic, with Lemonade having the visual aspect included. 

I can’t recommend Cowboy Carter enough. It’s a 10/10 for me. 

If you have any reservations, I would say to give it a chance. To be honest, I have friends that don’t like country music at all who enjoy this album. 

To give you a place to start, here are five of my favorite songs with two honorable mentions: 

• “Daughter” 
• “Ya Ya” 
• “II Most Wanted” 
• “Bodyguard” 
• “16 Carriages” 

Honorable Mentions: 

• “Levii’s Jeans” 
• “Protector” 

But, honestly, the entire album is worth the listen. 

Now it’s time for me to mosey along, Partner. 🤠