“16 CARRIAGES,” released along with “TEXAS HOLD EM,” is the bridge into Beyonce's next era. The song is embossed with elements of country music traditional to modern, including a twangy acoustic guitar loop, a crate-shaking stomp in place of a kick, and Beyoncé’s world-weariness and focus on the divine. But unlike on the banjo-led “TEXAS HOLD EM,” these are allusions more than full-on immersions. ⁠ ⁠ “16 CARRIAGES” is the sound of Beyoncé testing the waters, and she displays a mastery without losing her core. If that’s the lasting lesson of the Renaissance series, it’ll do more to cement Beyoncé’s legacy than any Grammy ever would. ⁠ ⁠ Act 1 was a celebration of ballroom culture, rave and disco; Act 2 looks to be inspired by country music. Taken together, the revival at the heart of Renaissance isn’t confined to one genre. Rather, it reflects a broad stroke of music created by Black Americans. ⁠ ⁠ Hit the link in bio for our Songs You Need roundup.⁠ ⁠ 📸 Beyonce⁠ ⁠ #Beyonce #ActII