Beyoncé's 'Act II': here's what we know & what we're hoping for
Beyoncé is bringing back the Yeehaw Agenda!
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Queen Bey is coming back with another album!
Music icon Beyoncé announced a new album, Renaissance Act II yesterday, effectively blowing up the internet once again.
We always knew that Renaissance was meant to be a three-part project, Bey told us that herself. But we didn’t know when, or what, the second act would be until yesterday. Renaissance was a disco, house, and dance music masterpiece, but what will Renaissance Act II be?
How was the album announced?
Beyoncé’s #SuperBowl commercial for Verizon.
pic.twitter.com/QgWaga5Cjr— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 12, 2024
Right before she announced Act II, Beyoncé appeared in a Super Bowl ad for Verizon. The concept of the commercial had Beyoncé pulling various stunts trying to “break the internet” like she does every time she announces a new album.
She tries several stunts in the commercial, including inventing an AI version of herself, running for “Beyoncé of The United States” and becoming a video game streamer. When none of that works, Queen Bey says to the camera, “Okay, they ready! Drop the new music!”
What kind of music is it?
Beyoncé then posted a video on her Instagram that started with her driving through the desert while country songs played on the radio. The teaser then showed a group of people staring at a large billboard in the Texas desert featuring a waving Beyoncé in a bikini, boots and cowboy hat, as the car holding Beyoncé drives past.
As the country twang of the new song “Texas Hold ‘Em” played, the words “act ii” and “3.29” appeared on the screen, officially announcing the new album.
Based on the teaser, the visuals, and the first two songs we’ve heard, this is a tried and true country album. The Yee-Haw Agenda is back!
What songs are on it?
TEXAS HOLD 'EM (Official Visualizer)
Beyoncé also released two new songs from the upcoming album! She released the official visualizers for “Texas Hold ‘Em,” an upbeat song in which she sings “This ain’t Texas, Ain’t no hold ‘em/So lay your cards down, down, down, down” over a twangy country guitar and boot stomps.
16 CARRIAGES (Official Visualizer)
16 CARRIAGES (Official Visualizer)
The second song teasing the album is the slowed-down ballad “16 Carriages.” In this song, Beyoncé looks back on her life over a melancholy tune.
When is 'Act II" coming out?
Me: I hate country music.
Beyoncé: ACT II. MARCH 29Th 🐎
Me: pic.twitter.com/r2VDUPIGW1— Drebae (@Drebae_) February 12, 2024
Act II is coming out March 29, so get your boots and spurs ready!
Will there be a visual album?
After the runaway successes of the Beyoncé and Lemonade visual albums, many fans were surprised that Renaissance didn’t have one. Will Beyoncé return to the visual album format with Act II? Nothing has been announced, but we hope so!
Pulling up to Beyoncé’s #actii tour like pic.twitter.com/p84zxOPyPW
— Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) February 12, 2024
The Renaissance Tour was one for the ages, and spawned one of the best fashion trends of last year. People got all decked out in their best silver and sparkly outfits, perfect for the disco theme of the album and show.
Now, fans are already getting excited thinking about the killer cowboy looks they’ll serve at her next concert!
Act ii ft. Kacey Musgraves Act ii ft. Kacey Musgraves Act ii ft. Kacey Musgraves Act ii ft. Kacey Musgraves Act ii ft. Kacey Musgraves pic.twitter.com/4dhZU2iELr
— ginger rail (@attemptingbutch) February 12, 2024
Fans are already speculating about which artists might be featured on Act II. Many fans are hoping for an epic country collab, like with Kacey Musgraves, who is also releasing a new album this spring, or The Chicks, with whom Beyoncé performed at the 2016 CMAs.
Others are hoping for artists like Dolly Parton, Reba McIntyre, Lana Del Rey, Megan Thee Stallion, and even Lady Gaga, returning for the long awaited “Telephone, Pt. II.”
