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In March, singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves released her sixth album “Deeper Well.”
I’ll admit it, I’m a “Golden Hour” girl, and since I bought that album on vinyl in Nashville, I wanted to buy this one on vinyl, too.
There were several options on Musgraves’ website, and I pre-ordered the special edition Cardinal vinyl. It did take a while to arrive… which is why I’m just now sharing my album review!
The title track was the first single, and it’s definitely a change of pace (compared to previous albums). In an interview with Willie Geist, Musgraves said “Deeper Well” included observations on life, human emotion, lightness, darkness, and God.
When I hear a new album, I like to listen to the tracks in the order the artist intended, which is one reason I like getting vinyls.
“Cardinal” is the first track on the album; about loss and cardinals being messengers. I love this message for many reasons, but the song itself is catchy and a bit of an earworm.
“Deeper Well” is next, and I love how her voice sounds on this one. I also truly appreciate the messages in this track; the give and take seems to be a common theme throughout the album. This is one of those songs you can put on when you’re relaxing in the tub or cleaning your house and really need a soft escape.
Next up is “Too Good to be True,” and this reminds me of her earlier albums — smartly written and somewhat melancholy.
“Moving out” is next and it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album. I love the melody, and the lyrics hit me heavy. I think a lot about home and place; they are so meaningful but not often discussed.
This song is beautiful; very “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert, but softer. It has hints of “Brick” by Ben Folds, too.
“Giver/Taker” is next, and it’s the song for Sunday Scaries – ha! It’s chill in the melody but thoughtful in its lyrics; I can see this being a popular wedding song.
“Sway” reminds me of the show “Yellowjackets” and that’s all I’m going to say 🙂
“Dinner with Friends” is a song I can see being on a movie soundtrack. It goes so many different places and makes me think about moments in my life. The melody moves in a way that sounds like two different songs; if you’re a John Mayer fan, the song “If I Ever Get Around to Living” does this, too. It feels like a journey, in the best way.
“Heart of the Woods” will get stuck in your head! It sounds like a classic song, but fresh at the same time. This one would sound great live!
“Jade Green” is an ode to crystals—but for real. It’s fun to sing along to and reminds me of old Jewel songs.
I can’t help but be reminded of John Mayer again as I listen to “The Architect” — as he also has a lyric that goes, “I am an architect of things that haven’t happened yet.” While Kacey’s song sounds much different than that song, it may remind Mayer fans of “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967.”
Okay, “Lonely Millionaire” is a song that I wasn’t sure about when I initially heard it, but wow has it grown on me. This is a little bit soft in the beginning but grows into a banger. Roll the windows down on a summer night and crank this one!
“Heaven is” is one of the more folk-sounding tracks on the album, and introspective. It brings up another theme I noticed: money and fame vs. true love.
The title “Anime Eyes” definitely piqued my curiosity, but this is a sweet song. She sings, “When I look at you I’m always looking through anime eyes; A million little stars bursting into hearts in my anime eyes.”
My first boyfriend ever loved watching anime after school and the “starts bursting into hearts” is such a spot-on reference.
The last track on the album “Nothing to be Scared of” is a solid song to wrap up this journey. This entire album feels like the next chapter for Musgraves; a new level of songwriting and sound experimentation.
I know the more I listen to this album, my feelings around each song will evolve and I’m excited to grow with it. She’s bringing her “Deeper Well” tour to Austin this fall and I got a ticket; I’m excited to hear these songs live!
Have you listened to any of the songs on this album yet?
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The Bitter Lemon 