GENRE: Folk/Country / Pop/R&B
LABEL: Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia
REVIEWED: February 12, 2024
Beyoncé’s new single, “Texas Hold ’Em,” from her upcoming album Act II, marks an adventurous blend of pop and country. Following the dancefloor-centric Renaissance, this track shifts the spotlight to country music, honoring its Black roots while celebrating its danceable essence. With a nod to her previous country-inspired venture—performing “Daddy Lessons” with the Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards—Beyoncé explores new territory, though she acknowledges from the start that “This ain’t Texas.”
The song opens with a banjo lick, played by multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, highlighting the banjo’s African origins. Co-produced with Raphael Saadiq, “Texas Hold ’Em” fuses country and soul, echoing past intersections of these genres, from Isaac Hayes’ rendition of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” to the Bee Gees’ collaboration with Diana Ross on “Islands in the Stream.”
However, Beyoncé’s portrayal of working-class country life can feel somewhat detached. The song’s stomp-clap rhythm and Andy Griffith-style whistle risk edging towards commercialized, upper-class interpretations of folk music. While it’s clear Beyoncé is trying to bridge genres and connect with a broader audience, the result might come across as a polished take on country that doesn’t fully resonate with the working-class experience.