Renaissance vs. Cowboy Carter

[GAGASEXUAL 3,785]

Cowboy Carter is sooooo much better

[JolP24601 9]

I'm truly split because I think both are great albums! I love each albums' message to queer history/black country history and each have some of my favorite songs in Bey's discography. I'd say that Renaissance is a bit easier to go back to since it's only sixteen songs but I've been listening to Cowboy Carter nearly non-stop since it came out earlier this year. I also feel that I go back in forth because I need to be in the mood for either album. 

So for me, it's a tie between Renaissance and Cowboy Carter at the moment! 

[4th Time Around 4,525]

Renaissance and it's not even close as far as I'm concerned.

[Ziggy 11,863]

On 11/24/2024 at 1:17 PM, Bronco said:

Honestly I think part of the dissonance comes from her connection to the genre. 

Everything I've personally seen about the motivation behind CC has talked about the response to Daddy Lessons at the CMAs. Not her having any sort of personal history with the genre. 

Where as a lot of the messaging about Renaissance was about her love for the genres she was referencing coming from memories of her uncle as a child.

Given the difference of motivation, its not surprising one album feels more grounded & intentional.

I also think lowkey dance suits her better. She’s a pop star. It’s an EASY leap to the glam of dance. Granted, she made it harder by giving herself such a high order of perfection so she still had a tall order but I think adapting her persona to the various genres of dance worked for her as she’s been in pop for over 20 years and tapped a lot of those genres in various capacities. It was a culmination of a lot of her work thus far whereas CC I think is more uncharted waters 

[Ashley 9,491]

I still listen to Renaissance on occasion, and only listened to Cowboy Carter a few times.

[salty like sodium 1,915]

On 11/24/2024 at 2:14 PM, Bronco said:

Renaissance just hit the brief so much harder. 

Paid homage in a way that felt genuine, built on its inspirations & took those inspirations with it to the next level. 

Cowboy Carter just feels a little...stunty in comparison. 

there's a perfectly logical explanation for that. cowboy carter was conceived and recorded first, renaissance was recorded second (but released first). she polished those ideas and concepts into an immaculate crown jewel. it was right to release it first but it's a shame because it did prevent cc from getting praised properly, since it was living in its lil sis' shadow.

[phantasmas 10,581]

Love Renny down but I live for her vocals on CC!  She really wields her voice like an instrument the band would use, its crazy 

[OMF 3,466]

Beyoncé self titled album. Last Beyoncé album I’ve listened to on repeat.

[KennyRichie 1,988]

Lemonade was the last album of hers I truly enjoyed 

[River 117,041]

Production wise CC is much better, but sometimes it feels like Blue wrote the lyrics, but for me Daughter is the best song she ever did. 

Renaissance is like a NOW This Is What I Call Music Dance Hits Collection with Beyonce singing over samples, it’s fun and all, but CC proved that Bey can do better.

 

[princedeeblebleble 1,680]

I prefer CC, the lyrics, vocals and overall delivery is much nicer and it's the only Beyonce album i seek out to listen to. renaissance was a wibe, but outside of Break my soul, i don't enjoy it lyrically too much.

[pachinko 10,402]

Renaissance was made for the gays. 

Edited November 27, 2024 by pachinko