Continuing our exploration of Beyoncé's chart-topping success with "TEXAS HOLD 'EM", this episode of WorkTape further examines its unprecedented success and the questions it raises about genre boundaries and authenticity in country music. Beyond Beyoncé, we also turn our attention to the latest music industry news, such as the ramifications of UMG's recent layoffs. Tune in as we explore these developments and their potential impact on the music we experience as a collective.

Episode Highlights:

• How has Beyoncé's “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” challenged traditional country music boundaries?
• Is Beyoncé more authentically country than Taylor Swift?
• Could Jack Antonoff's production style breathe new life into Brandon Flowers' music, and could they shape the future sound of indie and synth-pop music?
• Given Taylor Swift's transition from country to pop, how could a return to her acoustic roots be received by fans and critics alike?
• Were UMG's recent decisions and layoffs “too convenient”?
• Is the resurgence of acts like Tom Petty through platforms like GTA due to the rising trend of country music and other related genres?