Deeper well
Deeper Well is the fifth album by country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. I haven’t listened to her previous work, as I’m not exactly a big fan of country music, but today that changes. I won’t have her past albums to compare it to, but I’ve heard great things about her music. Her music incorporates more than just country, as there is also elements of folk and soft rock in the mix. Another thing I learned about her by my own research, is that she plays the guitar, harmonica, piano, banjo, and mandolin. So she’s a very talented multi-instrumentalist.
We open the album with the bluesy song, “Cardinal.” The soft rock guitar adds a layer of emotion to the very somber lyrics of the track. In it, Kacey touches on themes of death and spirituality. She “lost a friend without warning,” that friend being fellow country singer-songwriter John Prine. The production on the track doesn’t sound like any country song I’ve heard before. I love the reverb soaked vocal melody before the lovely acoustic guitar solo. As someone who has lost loved ones sometimes I wonder if it’s Mother Nature trying to tell me something, so I can relate to this song. Are the deaths of those we care about a divine sign from a higher power to us? It’s a fair question to ask.
The next song is the title track, “Deeper Well,” is a folksy track with beautiful acoustic guitar riff, the track reflecting on her divorce from her ex-husband, singing, “You got dark energy, somethin’ I can’t unsee. And I’ve got to take care of myself. I found a deeper well.” It’s not a diss track to her ex, it’s rather a reflective song that makes the point that the experience has made her stronger, and more connected to herself, hence the lyric. “I found a deeper well.”
We follow that up with, “Too Good to Be True,” which is one of my favorite cuts off the record. Kacey is an amazing songwriter, as she is incredibly visual and descriptive with her lyrics. “Summer’s gone and you’re still here, for both of us it’s been a year. A tidal wave without warning,” is an example of that great storytelling skill she has. In the song, she wants to approach her next relationship being able to “give again,” but she’s scared that her next love will be “too good to be true.” Her angelic humming glows over the acoustic guitar licks.
After that, we have “Moving Out,” where the title and lyrics are both pretty self-explanatory. I like how she talks about how significant this place is to her, because of the memories that she has of the old home she lived in. It also touches on the divorce a bit again, but does so in a way that isn’t just repeating the concept. I love the banjo solo at the end paired with the acoustic chord progressions. I like the production of the album, because it’s very stripped back and fits the phrase, “less is more.” With a minimalist style of production, it makes Kacey’s vocals the main focus.
“Giver/Taker,” talks about how her last relationship lacked the actions of giving and taking for each other that a lot of relationships have. “I need all your love, not just one piece. Hopin’ that it ain’t too much for me to ask.” It’s relatable for the fact that we wish we could re-do failed relationships. “Sway,” has a very relaxing guitar progression and a very melancholy tone. Kacey wishes she could handle the rougher things life throws her way, comparing it to wind. As she says, “when the wind blows, it can push you around,” and “if I didn’t wanna take control, I could let go.” It’s incredibly relatable, because life always throws us curveballs, and we all struggle to adapt at times. Another one of my favorite tracks. I love the harmonizing vocals in the post-chorus as well.
“Dinner with Friends,” has a beautiful addition of soft piano chords. In this track, she talks about the little things she appreciates about friendships and relationships, as well as just everyday moments of life. Things like the faces friends make, catching the sunrise early in the morning, and the “cute way he mispronounces certain words,” referring to a love interest of course. I also appreciate that she references Texas’ laws that she’s against. It reflects how a lot of Texans feel about the current politics of their state’s government. She loves “the sky there, the horses and dogs, but none of their laws.” Her visual and introspective lyrics makes we, the listeners, empathize with her and put ourselves in her shoes. “Heart of the Woods,” has soothing acoustic guitar chord progressions, and makes me feel like I’m in a forest hiking with friends. That solo at the bridge reminds me of the music I’d hear in Red Dead Redemption 2. “It is in our nature to look out for each other, in the heart of the woods,” is such a positive lyric. Another favorite off the album.
“Jade Green,” uses an analogy to illustrate jade being like self-care, promoting physical healing when we’re not at our best. “I wanna bathe in the moonlight until I’m fully charged,” The banjo riff, paired with the symphonic strings and Asian-style instrumentation in the chorus make for a very unique sounding track. This album is much different than any other country song I’ve heard in my lifetime. Another highlight.
“The Architect,” has religious undertones, “the architect,” of the song being God. The track has a religious message, but it’s not preachy or obnoxious. She’s questioning whether the beautiful aspects of nature, as well as life, are mother nature or God’s creation. “Even something as small as an apple, it’s simple and somehow complex.” At the end, she’s asking, “Is there an architect?” It’s also questioning whether the events in our lives are planned by God too, which I think isn’t really heard often in country music.
“Lonely Millionaire,” has a lo-fi piano and guitar infused instrumental and Kacey sings about how all the money and fame in the world doesn’t get rid of the loneliness she feels now that she’s divorced, saying she’d burn all the money to keep her beloved warm. I love the chorus, “Who wants to be a lonely millionaire?” she asks us. It’s on the shorter side but the message is a unique take on the lonely rich person lifestyle, and it’s not often heard from a woman’s perspective. This track is one I’d recommend to everyone. Something cool I found out about the track is that it interpolates “Kody Blu 31,” by the rapper JID. Maybe I’ll review one of his albums sometime in the future.
After that, we get “Heaven Is,” which is a beautifully orchestrated piece where she sings that the simplest things are what she considers heaven, “Lyin’ in your arms, so safe and warm. That’s what heaven is.” I did a double take when I saw the title of the next cut off the record, “Anime Eyes.” Anime? In a country song, no less? I like that she compares looking into her partner’s eyes as looking into anime eyes. It’s a very romantic sounding track, like many of the songs on this album, but I like the creative direction Kacey went with in this song. Again, I love the visuals, “Made it through the tears to see a Miyazaki sky,” referencing the Japanese filmmaker Hiyao Miyazaki. I also love the lyric, “A million little stars bursting into hearts in my anime eyes.” I also appreciate the Sailor Moon reference and the beautiful glowing production on this track.
Finally, our last track, “Nothing to be Scared Of,” has yet another warm acoustic guitar pattern. I like how consistent the sound is on this album, with a soft, folksy sound. It’s not my favorite on the album though, because it doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to the themes of love, as the other tracks do on the rest of the album. I do like how warm and welcoming the track feels for the listener though. Not a bad track, but not a highlight.
For being the first country album I’ve ever listened to in full, it’s only March and it’s already one of my favorite albums so far this year. I like how relaxing the instrumentation is on this record, and how folk-infused the entire album is. The acoustic guitar is a lovely backdrop to Kacey’s dreamy vocals. Her music feels like a country version of Lana Del Rey’s music and I mean that as nothing but a compliment. Both Kacey and Lana are wonderful songwriters, and they have a unique ability to paint a picture with their lyrics. Kacey Musgrave’s an incredibly talented singer and multi-instrumentalist and even though the album credits other musicians on instruments such as guitar, bass, and piano, I’d like to hear Kacey record not just her vocals, but more of the instrumentation. Still Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk are incredibly talented musicians and producers and they contributed a great deal to why I feel that this album is one of my favorites of 2024 so far.
Overall Score: 8/10
Favorite Tracks: “Cardinal,” “Too Good to Be True,” “Heart of the Woods,” “Lonely Millionaire,” “Jade Green.”
Least Favorite Tracks: “Nothing to be Scared Of”
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlC8jJAj-60
Genre: Folk/Country Folk/Soft Rock