Good afternoon, pals!
Beyoncé blessed us with Cowboy Carter last weekend (a couple of days before my birthday, what a GIFT) and of course, it’s a fucking masterpiece. Not that we could expect any less from her.
At this point, there isn’t much I could add to the resounding chorus of conversation about this album that hasn’t already been said 100000x. You know how they say opinions are like assholes? Indeed, everyone had one. The minute that record came out, social media teemed with would-be critics (without knowledge of music criticism or the mechanics of song structure) shouting their thoughts over each other in the din. I’m just glad my feed reflected praise full of love. After the bullshit the woman endured while performing with The Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Awards, there’s nothing I applaud and respect more than a magnificent fuck you in the face of being underestimated.
Here’s an aspect of her genius that no one talks about—her innovative approach to backing vocals. She’s developed this patented approach to layering track after track of backing harmonies (real thick!) creating a positively angelic sound. (Sidebar: She sings OPERA, launching into the 18th-century song “Caro Mio Ben” on “Daughter!”) This interview in W with Tanner Adell, a young Black country singer who was “handpicked” by Beyoncé and featured in tracks like “American Requiiem” and “Blackbiird” gives us a glimpse into the process. Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts are also featured and goddamn they sound angelic. The vocals on “My Rose?!” My Goddess. It sounds like she does some of her own backing vocals too, using a unique call-and-response style (see “Texas Hold ‘Em”) that hearkens back to Renaissance in the rowdier numbers. I live!
What do you think has yet to be said about Cowboy Carter? Could there be anything? I’m curious.
Get into: Palm Royale
All the Real Housewives franchises I give a shit about are over but Palm Royale has softened my landing. I can’t stop watching this glib, campy, 60s Kristen Wiig masterpiece about a social climber determined to worm her way into Palm Beach society. Alison Janney? Check. Leslie Bibb? Check. Carol Burnett? Check. Ricky Martin? Check. Laura Dern as the leader of a feminist circle who traffics abortions? Check. Pithy, witty, dialogue that highlights how pitifully little America has changed in terms of women’s rights since then? Check, check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.
Get into: Raye
The musical guest on SNL this week has been on heavy rotation in my car for a while. I saw Raye open for Kali Uchis last year and she blew us away. The Brit stunner just swept the BRITS: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year with "Escapism,” and now it’s our turn to fall in love with her. And did I mention she co-wrote “Riiverdance” on Cowboy Carter with Beyoncé?
Know me, know my dad
Immigrant kids rejoice! This SNL sketch starring Ramy Youssef is the truest true thing I’ve ever seen. My dad was pretty close to Hahmed Ahmed Mahmoud, just flip his attitude toward daughters and sons.
Get ready for it: Babes
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Goddess bestowed us this tale about friendship and motherhood. It was made by 3 out of the 4 artists that make up my comedic Mount Rushmore: Ilana Glazer (who writes and stars), Michelle Buteau (who fucking cracks me up and never fails), and Pamela Adlon (who directs). I’ve interviewed Pamela and Michelle, and Ilana’s Broad City compadre Abbi Jacobson, so I’m past due for a tete-a-tete with Ilana, if you ask me.
That’s all I got for now! More soon!
Until we meet again…
xx
Love these recs, especially because I've been eager to dive into Palm Royale. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Babes. I was lucky to attend an advanced screening in LA. No spoilers here!