As international members of the Bey-Hive get their first listen to Beyoncé's upcoming album, more details are emerging about Cowboy Carter.
The album has reportedly arrived in Australia, being distributed on Friday, Mar. 29 at midnight, Entertainment Weekly reports. Its 27 tracks play out like a radio show, featuring interlude cameos from Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson playing DJs on the "KNTRY Radio Station." While the country music legends were speculated to have complete collaborations on the album, it is now confirmed that their contributions do not go further than the spoken cameo.
Miley Cyrus joins the "Break My Soul" singer for "II Most Wanted," marking the two Grammy winners' first time recording together. Post Malone is recruited on the next track, "Levii's Jeans," with country/hip-hop artist Shaboozey hopping on "Spaghetti."
Linda Martell, largely regarded as the first major Black country songstress, also has her own spoken interlude. Other contributors to the album include Willie Jones, Taylor Adell, and Rhiannon Giddens.
After Parton hinted at "Jolene" being featured on the album, the song is loosely covered with new lyrics. Beyoncé puts her signature spin on the track, singing: "'Cause Bey don't play when it comes to her man." However, the 1973 classic is not the only cover on Cowboy Carter. The Beatles' "Blackbird" from their White Album is sung, an unexpected choice for the "Love On Top" hitmaker.
With Cowboy Carter serving as the second act in Beyoncé's three-part project, it follows its predecessor, Renaissance, in sampling the hit music it is honoring. After the Grammy-winning first act sampled songs by Donna Summer and Big Freedia, the imminent album features an interpolation of "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.
Cyrus' feature on the album comes after a collaboration with hitmaker Pharrell Williams. "Doctor (Work It Out)" was released earlier this year after the former Hannah Montana star won her first Grammy for "Flowers," the hit lead single off her recent Endless Summer Vacation LP. Her feature on the album turns it into a family affair, as she is the goddaughter of Parton.
Post Malone's feature on the album precedes his upcoming duet with Taylor Swift. The song, titled "Fortnight," will appear on the "Karma" singer's highly anticipated eleventh studio album The Tortured Poets Department, out April 19.
Other Cowboy Carter songs include "Alligator Tears," "Smoke Hour II," "Just For Fun," "Daughter," "Oh Louisiana," "Desert Eagle," "Riiverdale," "II Hands II Heaven," "Tyrant," "Sweet Honey Buckin'," and more. Upon the album's announcement at the Super Bowl, Beyoncé dropped lead singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "Sixteen Carriages."
Leading up to the album, Uber is joining forces with Beyoncé to offer 16% selected rides within the U.S. tonight with the code 16CARRIAGES.
