Pop superstar Beyoncé has released the track list for her latest album, a foray into country music titled Cowboy Carter, which is set for release on Thursday and will include a cover of a beloved Dolly Parton classic and a guest appearance from genre legend Willie Nelson.
She took to Instagram Wednesday to drop the track list of her highly anticipated country album “Cowboy Carter,” in anticipation of her follow-up to the smash hit Renaissance album, released in 2022 to universal acclaim.
The megastar shared that the album will feature country music legends Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson.
Named in the graphic image that displays the new album’s tracks is “Jolene,” one of Parton’s most beloved and covered tracks, having previously been covered by the late Olivia Newton-John, The White Stripes and Miley Cyrus, among others. The rodeo poster-style track confirms its inclusion and also touts guest Nelson on a track titled “Smoke Hour.”
The new project, set to be released on March 29, will feature “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” as well as “Blackbird,” “Jolene,” “River Dancem Levi’s Jean,” “The Martel Show” and more.
Last week, the Grammy winner discussed not feeling “welcomed” in country music. Beyoncé said because of that experience, she dove deeper into the history of the genre and studied.
“The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,” she wrote. “Act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
#MccallOnlineNews®: Beyoncé Reveals Collab with Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson For 'Cowboy Carter' album track list. pic.twitter.com/ubdUv3xMlp
— McCall Kwadzo (@mccallkwadzo) March 27, 2024
For those who may dismiss the record — dubbed Act II by the singer, in a suggestion of a potential trilogy or series of albums beginning with Renaissance — as Beyoncé “going country,” she had a few words.
“This ain’t a Country album,” she said last week in a statement on the album. “This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”
