Teaser Videos, Country Influence, and Release Date: Beyoncé’s ‘Act II’ Announcement and Early Album Insights
Beyoncé has officially announced the highly anticipated “Act II” of her 2022 album “Renaissance” through teaser videos. As speculated, the album appears to have a country influence and is set to be released on March 29. In the promotional video, Beyoncé can be seen scrolling through songs on her iPhone and later at a lemonade stand, a nod to her 2016 album “Lemonade.” The ad also features playful references to her name, such as “Barbey” and “BOTUS,” hinting at her potential as the first female president and woman to launch a rocket into space.
Source: J.ébey, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Beyoncé concludes the video by declaring that “the ‘Renaissance’ is not over” and drops the album title and release date on her Instagram page. A billboard and car license plate displaying “Texas Hold ‘Em” allude to the singer’s home state and possibly a song title.
Shortly after, two songs from the album were released on streaming platforms, one titled “Texas Hold ‘Em” showcasing a country sound and the other, “16 Carriages,” featuring an orchestral arrangement. Both tracks were produced by Raphael Saadiq, known for his work with artists like D’Angelo and Solange.
Fans have eagerly anticipated new music from Beyoncé since her initial release of “Renaissance” in 2022. The album, promised to be the first of a three-part project, was rumored to include dance and country songs. However, it was unclear if the country tracks would be included on “Renaissance” or released separately.
Unlike her previous projects, which were accompanied by full-length films and music videos, “Renaissance” arrived without visuals. Nevertheless, Beyoncé showcased the success of her record-breaking world tour, which grossed $579 million, through the release of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” in November. The film, which combines elements of a documentary and concert, takes viewers behind the scenes of the global tour. Shortly after the film’s premiere in London, Beyoncé released the single “My House,” paying tribute to her Houston roots.
Source:
Jem Asward, Steven J. Horowitz (Feb.11, 2024). Beyoncé Announces Country-Themed ‘Renaissance Act II’ Album in Verizon Super Bowl Ad, Drops Two New Songs. Variety.
Featured Image Source:
Rocbeyonce, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
