Country music star Kacey Musgraves has released her sixth studio album Deeper Well. The 14 tracks make up a lush collection of vulnerable representations of growing and moving forward.
Musgraves is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, garnering critical acclaim for her record “Golden Hour”. More recently, she has gained quite a few fans from collaborations with Zach Bryan on I Remember Everything and Noah Kahan on She Calls Me Back.
After announcing a new project at the Grammys in February, Musgraves finally gave fans the magic that is “Deeper Well” on March 15, 2024.
For me, the album has been on repeat since the second it was released. I’m a huge fan of the genre-blend of country, folk, and pop that Musgraves has somehow accomplished.
There have been a lot of critics to this album, mostly complaining how Musgraves is straying further and further away from the original sound that made her so popular – but they’re missing the entire point of the album.
“I don’t care for money or fame,” sings Musgraves on track Heaven Is. She has grown from the lovesick feeling of “Golden Hour,” gone through her divorce on “Star-Crossed,” and is now moving forward in “Deeper Well.” Change is essential to growth, which is exactly what Musgraves has come to terms with in her latest work.
In her journey of growth on the album, Musgraves masterfully mixes being able to fall in love again while becoming your own person.
To start the album, Cardinal is the epitome of what the album aspires to be sonically. The track begins with a strong guitar melody, blending into the rhythm that is the song. Musgraves asks the ‘cardinal’ for a message from the other side, setting up the following songs of discovery.
In track 2, Deeper Well, the singer highlights how important it is to take care of yourself. Initially released as a single, this song has quickly become one of my favorites in her discography. Reminiscent of an earlier release Follow Your Arrow, the title track’s gentle guitar plucks are accompanied by layers of Musgraves’ soulful vocals.
She also manages to upset country fans who tuned in to the record for more love songs, as the artist instead recounts her experience with different kinds of drugs in tracks Deeper Well and Anime Eyes.
Transitioning to the second single, Too Good To Be True, maintains a similar instrumental vibe as its predecessor, with Musgraves delivering her vocals in a captivating range that harmonizes seamlessly with the music.
In my opinion, these two tracks were the absolute best picks for singles. They showcase her new sound while not straying so far that her audience wouldn’t be able to pick out her voice.
Too Good To Be True is where the new relationship starts, with Musgraves hoping that the person she’s drawn to isn’t merely an illusion of perfection.
This progression in themes adds depth to the album’s narrative, portraying Musgraves’ journey toward emotional growth and maturity. She candidly addresses the lingering effects of past traumas and anxieties, articulating her desire for genuine connection. Lines like “I’ve been scared to give again” and “Please don’t make me regret opening up that part of myself” reflect her earnest longing for something genuine.
Giver/Taker is a stand-out performance on the record. I recommend listening with headphones – it feels like you’re practically surrounded by guitars. Musgraves’ smooth voice easily carries through the tune, not overpowering the instrumentation but truly blending.
Perhaps the most reminiscent of ‘real’ country music, is the next track Sway. I mean, the backbeat even sounds like a horse galloping along. This song is another favorite of mine, with Musgraves learning how to deal with struggles in life, “Maybe one day, I’ll learn how to sway…I won’t break, I’ll just bend.”
Next up is Dinner With Friends, which feels like a diary entry. One thing she’s always gonna do is publicize her emotions- and thank goodness for that.
In this song, the singer once again delves into emotional vulnerability, albeit with a distinct focus. Musgraves takes a political stance, expressing criticism towards recent Texas legislation, particularly laws on abortion bans and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. This reveals not only the singer’s values and concerns but also provides insight into Kacey Musgraves as an individual beyond her role as a performer.
The Architect is Musgraves’ own rendition of Catholicism and biblical references. “This life that we make, is it random or fate? Can I speak to the architect? Is there an architect?” she crones, asking to speak to God and ask questions, one being if God even exists. As an ex-catholic school kid, this song hit close to home.
Another “Golden Hour” adjacent track is Anime Eyes. The opening guitar progression made me wonder if my Spotify had somehow shuffled to Love Is A Wild Thing. The tracks are sister-like to me, both being swoony love songs that show how profound this love is.
The song is without a doubt the most interesting on the album, calling out to the popular anime series “Sailor Moon.” It may not be the most intellectual-sounding song on the record, but it feels like a love poem that got thrown into a blender with some anime, so it’s just a fun time.
The concluding track of the album is Nothing to be Scared Of. After wandering through various emotional landscapes on the album, Musgraves concludes with one of the most poignant notes yet.
In this piece, she encapsulates the themes of growth and resilience, advocating for moving forward and letting go of past burdens. “Come to me and drop your bags // And I’ll help you unpack them // You’re the only one I want to give my love // There’s nothing to be scared of,” she sings, promising to help her newfound love overcome the difficulties of their past.
“Deeper Well” is easily a top-tier addition to Musgraves’ catalog. Her voice is the best it’s ever sounded, with each song in her the perfect range for her to sound effortlessly beautiful. The entire album sounds like you’re in a dreamy-meditative state in the best way possible.
Musgraves has undergone notable growth, both artistically and personally, refining her musical approach and the themes she explores in my newest front-runner to score an Album of the Year nomination when the Grammy’s role around.