Beyonce announces new album in Super Bowl commercial and releases 2 songs

Beyoncé surprised fans by announcing her first country album, “act ii” of her 2022 album Renaissance, during a commercial aired at the Super Bowl halftime show. The album, set to release on March 29, features two new songs titled “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” The announcement came as part of a partnership with Verizon Wireless, where Beyoncé aimed to break the internet by completing a list of “firsts” in the commercial, eventually ending with the reveal of her new music.

In the trailer for the album, Beyoncé is seen driving through the desert, with a billboard displaying the title of the first single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” While the official album name has not been revealed, fans are calling it Renaissance: Act II or simply Act II. The album is the second installment of a three-act project that Beyoncé recorded over three years during the pandemic.

In “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” Beyoncé embraces her Texas roots and teases a Southern drawl, incorporating rustic beats and country-inspired themes. Fans had speculated about a potential country album after Beyoncé’s appearance at the Grammy Awards wearing a cowboy hat and a custom Louis Vuitton outfit designed by Pharrell Williams.

The album’s release date, March 29, sparked comparisons to Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” set to release on April 19. Both Beyoncé and Swift had the top two highest-selling tours in 2023, leading to speculation about potential competition between the two powerhouse artists.

While “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” were initially released on Tidal, they are now available on all streaming platforms. Beyoncé has not announced any tour dates yet, but there have been rumors of a potential residency in Las Vegas’ Sphere, as hinted in her Verizon commercial.