GRAMMYs 2025: COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncé

Beyoncé is one of the biggest stars in the world, and she's mastered surprising the masses with her artistry for decades. Her latest album, country-influenced COWBOY CARTER, is a star-studded quest for freedom to embrace her roots and her future in one sweeping lasso. With COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncé proves that she's an artist full of grit, talent, and appreciation for self-expression in all forms, regardless of societal expectations and preconceived notions. With a whopping 27-song tracklist and features from Dolly Parton, Shaboozey, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone among others, Beyoncé's artistic integrity doesn't get lost but rather shines through as an extension of her personal integrity. COWBOY CARTER may be one of the most illustrious achievements of Beyoncé's ever-growing impact, and it proves she has one of the world's most powerful voices in every sense of the term.

Standout tracks: 'AMERIICAN REQUIEM' '16 CARRIAGES' 'DAUGHTER' 'YA YA'

My favorites: 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' 'II MOST WANTED' 'TYRANT 'AMEN'

CREDIT: BEYONCÉ PRESS

Soaring with the most stunning and powerful of melodies, COWBOY CARTER begins with a near-religious experience in 'AMERIICAN REQUIEM.' Beyoncé commands attention to her voice like no other, and her "Can you stand me?/Can you stand for something?" is her call to arms. She also sets the scene for COWBOY CARTER's mission - to untie the ropes that have bound her until now: "They used to say I spoke too country/And the rejection came, said I wasn't country enough/Said I wouldn't saddle up, but/If that ain't country, tell me what is?"

COWBOY CARTER is quite simply a compilation of stories of the innate power of humankind, and beginning by returning to her roots brings Beyoncé to some of the most stunningly moving lyrical stories she's ever illustrated. Pre-released '16 CARRIAGES' is grounds for celebrating the struggle of ambition, particularly for women. Operatic, strings-led 'DAUGHTER' is bone-chillingly stunning, fleshing out the hurt of infidelity. 'SPAGHETTI' is jarringly rebellious, pointing fingers at criticisms regarding genre-hopping artists. Miley Cyrus duet 'II MOST WANTED' is a vocal sensation coupled with pared-back, exceptional bass-and-guitar instrumentation, illustrating the infatuation of falling in love young. And in classic Beyoncé fashion, she spins yeehaw in her own deliciously sensuous way on 'TYRANT.'

COWBOY CARTER also balances Beyoncé's own new compositions with her reinventions of country classics, including 'BLACKBIIRD' and 'JOLENE.' With monologues and interjections courtesy of country legends like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton, COWBOY CARTER presents as patriotic towards country music itself. It's hard to touch classics like these, and 'JOLENE' may unfortunately be the point in the album where Beyoncé reaches just a little too far, trying to reinvent something that didn't need adjusting.

'SMOKE HOUR ★ WILLIE NELSON' transitions the project to the portion where it starts to get a taste of freedom. Foot-stompingly addictive 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' leads the charge with groovy, seductive 'BODYGUARD' rising as the anthem for the sensation of peace in liberation. A nod to a more classic Beyoncé sonic, 'BODYGUARD' interlaces some of that country flavor in its lyrics: "Leave my lipstick on the cigarette/Just toss it, and you stomp it out, out/Inhalin' whiskey when you kiss my neck."

The epitome of COWBOY CARTER may just be entirely encapsulated in upbeat, flashy 'YA YA.' A R&B-pop hoedown, Beyoncé chants out zinger lyrics from "History can't be erased/Are you lookin' for a new America?/Are you tired, working time and a half for half the pay?" to "Baby, if you ain't got no grits, get the fuck up out the South/Life is comin' at me fast, keep my Bible on the dash/Pistol in my seat just in case I gotta blast/I just wanna shake my ass." You know what B? You tell 'em.

After over an hour of revolutionary music, COWBOY CARTER reaches its illustrious conclusion with 'AMEN.' Powerful and poignant, the closing track encompasses the achievement of the freedom that Beyoncé has so valiantly fought for across the record. Cowboys notoriously don't cry, but at the end of a work of art this profound, you may just find even the toughest wiping away a tear.

GRAMMY FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR

COWBOY CARTER is undeniably one of the most impressive musical feats on the list of nominees for Album of Year. It's one of those albums that people will be talking about for decades to come. It offers a reinvention for an A-list artist in such a way that it's hard not to want to bow to her spur-studded feet. It's a celebration of music and humanity, interweaving Beyoncé's legacy with those of her inspirations. It's musically sensational across the board, from lyrics to instrumentals to vocals. Beyoncé holds the title of the most nominated artist in Grammys history, but the award notably missing from her collection of wins is Album of the Year. So it may be time for Beyoncé to check herself when she sang in 'SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’, "A-O-T-Y, I ain't win." While she may be donning her cowboy hat rather than a crown, 2025 is looking like the year Beyoncé finally gets to take home the most coveted award in music.

AM I OBSESSED?

RATING: FULLY OBSESSED