The highly anticipated country album from the iconic superstar, serving as a follow-up to her acclaimed 2022 release “Renaissance,” is set to be released on March 29. Beyoncé recently unveiled the title of the upcoming album, officially named “Act II: Cowboy Carter.” She made the announcement by updating her Instagram bio and sharing a photo on her Instagram Story featuring a saddle adorned with a red, white, and blue sash reading “Cowboy Carter.” The image signifies a transition in her artistic style, with the metallic, disco-inspired saddle from the “Renaissance” cover morphing into a Western motif.

The same image is prominently displayed on Beyoncé’s website, where fans can pre-order merchandise and the new record. The website also reveals alternate artwork showcasing close-up photos of Beyoncé wearing a black cowboy hat, a white snake over her eye, and her hair styled in a blonde, feathered cut with braids.

Beyoncé initially surprised fans by announcing her highly anticipated album during the Super Bowl in early February. She appeared in a Verizon commercial, joking about her internet-breaking abilities, and immediately afterward, she shared a teaser on social media, hinting at the release of the second act of “Renaissance” on March 29. The teaser led fans to speculate that Beyoncé would be exploring the country genre, as it appeared to be inspired by the cult-loved 1984 western film “Paris, Texas.”

Following the viral announcement, the Grammy-winning artist confirmed these suspicions by releasing two roots-inspired songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” Each song featured artwork of Beyoncé donning a cowboy hat and Western attire. Thanks to the efforts of BeyHive, “Texas Hold ‘Em” gained traction on country radio and eventually reached the top spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black female artist to achieve this feat.

While few details are known about “Cowboy Carter,” which is just a few weeks away from release, there is speculation that the album may include a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic song “Jolene.” In an interview with Knox News, Dolly Parton mentioned that she had heard Beyoncé recorded a rendition of the beloved song for the album.

Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, has also spoken about her daughter’s country album, emphasizing that it is a natural progression. On Instagram, Tina Knowles shared old magazine covers featuring Beyoncé dressed in cowboy attire and highlighted the presence of a black cowboy culture in Texas, stating that it has influenced her family’s fashion and art from the beginning. She mentioned that Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, previously created a project centered around Black Cowboy Culture, underscoring the significance of this cultural influence in their upbringing.