Beyoncé drops "Cowboy Carter" Thursday night

Beyoncé's highly anticipated new album "Cowboy Carter" is nearly here.

Why it matters: Queen Bey's latest offering isn't her first foray into country music but is her most lengthy production to date and provides a spotlight on Black influences in the genre .

• And boy, does it have potential to break the internet.

Driving the news: The album drops midnight Thursday on the East Coast (that's 11pm Thursday in her hometown of Houston ).

• The 27-song tracklist includes singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages," which were released in February and have already garnered hundreds of millions of plays on Spotify. "Texas Hold 'Em" also reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to top the chart .
• Also on the album: covers of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and The Beatles' "Blackbird."

The big picture: "Cowboy Carter" is one of several country music drops anticipated this year from artists who traditionally perform other genres .

How to celebrate: The roller rink at downtown Houston's Discovery Green is hosting a listening party from 8-10pm Friday night .

• Improv Houston is also throwing a special Queen Bey Rodeo Drag Brunch on May 4.
• Candlelight Concerts is performing a special tribute to Beyoncé on April 5.

National brands are also saddling up for the album release.

• Popeyes temporarily renamed its combo menu Thursday as "Cowboy Combo Meals."
• Uber is also kicking off a promotion at 9pm ET Thursday with 16% off rides with code 16CARRIAGES (up to $16 off). The discount is while supplies last or through 12am ET Saturday.