Beyoncé announces 'Act II' following Super Bowl ad

After days of speculation and online anticipation, Beyoncé made a stunning announcement during a Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, revealing that she would soon be gracing fans with new music. In a playful Verizon ad that aired shortly after halftime, Beyoncé engaged in banter with comedian Tony Hale about "breaking the internet" a nod to Verizon's 5G network. Amidst the banter, she dropped the bombshell "Drop the new music" she declared before the commercial concluded. Subsequently, Beyoncé's website updated with the exciting news that a new album, titled "Act II," is set to be released on March 29.

This upcoming album seems to be the second installment of Beyoncé's ambitious "Renaissance" album project. The theme appears to take a country-rock direction, hinted at by the sound and imagery of two new tracks that swiftly surfaced online: "Texas Hold ’Em" and "16 Carriages."

"Texas Hold ’Em" kicks off with the twang of a rapid-plucked banjo, courtesy of performer and songwriter Rhiannon Giddens, known for her deep dives into American history. The song seamlessly blends banjo and guitar with a stomping beat, as Beyoncé effortlessly rhymes "Texas" with "Lexus" and delivers infectious lines like, "It’s a real live boogie and a real live hoedown." On "16 Carriages," an epic ballad unfolds, with guitars swelling alongside organ-loud percussion, as Beyoncé reflects on a life journey and the loss of innocence at a tender age.

Both tracks feature contributions from producer Raphael Saadiq, renowned for his collaborations with artists like Solange, Beyoncé's sister, and who also worked on the initial "Renaissance" album.

The visuals accompanying these tracks depict Beyoncé donning cowboy hats, reminiscent of her appearances during the Renaissance World Tour last year and maintaining her signature style as seen at the recent Grammy Awards.

This announcement marks a departure in Beyoncé's approach to album releases. While her previous albums, like "Beyoncé" and "Lemonade" were characterized by surprise drops and instant global impact, the "Renaissance" era sees Beyoncé adopting a more conventional promotional strategy.

When Beyoncé unveiled "Renaissance" in July 2022, she described it as the first part of a "three-act project" recorded during the pandemic. Dubbed "Act I" the album provided solace and escapism during challenging times. Now, with "Act II" on the horizon, fans eagerly await another chapter in Beyoncé's musical journey.

Beyoncé's foray into country music isn't entirely new, she previously explored the genre on "Daddy Lessons" from her album "Lemonade" even collaborating with The Chicks for a remix. Despite a mixed reception from country music fans, Beyoncé's bold experimentation was staunchly defended by her devoted fanbase.