Album Review: Deeper Well | Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves kicks off the industries' country renaissance.
Suppose you've been diagnosing the music industry the way we have recently. In that case, it's a good idea to brace for a country renaissance. From Morgan Wallen's streaming dominance to recently announced country records from Post Malone, Beyoncé, and Lana Del Rey, 2024 seems to be shaping up to be the year country music has a significant moment. For Kacey Musgraves, country has always been her genre, but she finds a new stripped-back sound on her latest LP.
"My Saturn has returned," Musgraves declares in lead-single Deeper Well. She's not the only one feeling this way. In just the past few weeks, both SZA and Ariana Grande have dropped tracks alluding to this astrology phenomenon of Saturn completing one orbit around the sun. In astrology, one's Saturn returning symbolizes the initiation to adulthood, the emotional challenges, and the liminal period that comes with it. Deeper Well dives into the aftermath of that feeling. Now 35, she's had some time to sit and reflect on this transition and her newfound priorities (like no longer smoking weed).
The album showcases the production and songwriting we'd expect from the pop/folk/country superstar. It's also worth noting that this album comes hot off the heels of an exciting commercial success for Musgraves - she received her first #1 on Billboard from her duet with Zach Bryan, I Remember Everything (which also won a Grammy), and her remix with Noah Kahan made a splash as well. With her recent success, Musgraves looks to capitalize on the opportunity, giving fans a refreshing, fresh breath of air for the genre before industry heavyweights take their spin on the genre.
Omens from Mother Nature, Saturn's Astrological Cycle, and the healing powers of Jade curate the vibe and ambiance of Musgraves's latest project. Kacey has been paying attention to her humanity recently, exploring a lifestyle with a particular (and kinda fun) aesthetic in mind. This album can be described as an earth-girl / ethereal cottage core soundtrack on initial listens. Diving deeper into this project, listeners can experience songs closer to the core of Kacey Musgrave's country roots. Country songwriting has always been the genre's defining aspect, and this album aligns with that pillar.
“I thought that I was too broken
And maybe too hard to love
I was in a weird place, then I saw the right face
And the stars and the planets lined up”
- Kacey Musgraves on The Architect
More than anything else on this record - it's clear Kacey wanted the lyrics to be the focal point more than anything else. Lyrically, this is very much what you'd expect from Musgraves. Her witty personality shines through, as it always does. Kacey is also still able to deliver charisma through dull delivery. Standouts can be found throughout this project. The Architect, Dinner with Friends, and Giver / Taker exhibit Kacey's exceptional songwriting abilities. Amidst themes of self-discovery and connection to the universe, her pen allows a unique take on ideas that most artists would struggle to write about.
When other artists write about these ideas, it typically comes off as cringe and cliché. Kacey roots them into her strength of country songwriting, producing a high-quality product. Her ability to become reflective and philosophical is particularly special. As with every record, not all lyrics are sunshine and rainbows. To us, the most significant risk on the album comes near its end on the bridge of Anime Eyes. This bridge is obviously a creative decision, playing into the excitement and imagery of Anime to add to the song's theme. Musgraves morphs into Olivia Rodrigo to deliver the most chaotic 15 seconds on the album - scattered, rushed, and anxious. The awkward and weird few seconds can be distracting, but the song still works.
While sonically, a few tracks feel like they could easily fit on Musgraves's earlier albums, Kacey finds a softer, folkier sound on this record - and it works. Opening track Cardinal is an incredible track that feels straight out of the Stevie Nicks / Fleetwood Mac playbook with a Hotel California feel. The drums and writing style of Giver / Taker are reminiscent of Golden Hours' Slow Burn. That moment where all the tension from the first verse resolves into a dead/muted simple drum beat, iconic. Staying in the vein of Golden Hour, Moving Out could have very well been a scrap from that monumental project. The song immediately captures that vibe and reminds me of Oh, What A World.
This album thrives on the lighter, serene, peaceful energy Musgraves has been harboring throughout her career. It's refreshing to see it come together in this way to create the perfect springtime record.
Check out our favorite tracks, listen to the album, and see our scores below:
Can’t Miss: Cardinal, Deeper Well, Dinner With Friends, The Architect, Jade Green
You Can Skip: Heart of the Woods, Nothing To Be Scared Of, Moving Out (But this is kinda a no-skip record, honestly).
BY THE NUMBERS
Bennett’s Score: 7.0
Carson’s Score: 7.36
Album Score: 14.36 (#12 All Time)
Notes from Bennett:
hehehehe ty ms Musgraves
I think I am obsessed with the upbeat faster-paced moments from this record. Cardinal is a fantastic album opener, I’m eating that sucker UP
Deeper Well is one of my favorite Kacey Musgrave songs to date. absolutely love the guitar and the songwriting here.
On first listen Giver/Taker stood out like crazy to me. That chorus is just so good and so a simple and organic feeling. The bones here are good and provide a quality track
I was really not a huge fan of star-crossed in the slightest but I really like th avenue she went here. This album is definitely influenced by what Kacey learned from that experience, but almost a back-to-her-roots project. I don’t expect to be talking about thi
Notes from Carson:
Whenever Kacey makes a song referencing Asia - it’s going to be a banger for me. Slow Burn, Cherry Blossom, and Anime Eyes are some of her best work. Anime Eyes is definitely the most jarring song on the record due to it’s bridge. It reminds me of a Olivia Rodrigo song in her delivery.
I can see my self playing this record to death. It’s really easy to digest, can be background noise, and the forefront of the record is really more the lyrics than anything else.
Love how peaceful and calm and COZY this record is. I think this album is quite stunning. It’s impossible to top Golden Hour but this is definitely a major step up from star-crossed.
Cardinal is a phenomenal track. It’s haunting and I love the homage to 70s rock. It’s amazing. The clear standout track for me here. 10/10.
Truly, this is the perfect springtime record. Released at the perfect time. Easy breezy.
Having a hard time connecting with Giver / Taker but I can appreciate it’s strong lyrical content. Can see it growing on me.
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*** Deeper Well | Kacey Musgraves | Score: 14.36 ***
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