After unveiling the critically acclaimed Golden Hour in 2018, the lovey-dovey project that secured Kacey Musgraves a GRAMMY award for Album of the Year, the release of Star-Crossed in 2021 was downright jarring for country music lovers compared to what they grew to know and love about the Texas native. Against a backdrop of quirky pop production, Kacey detailed her divorce in a dramatic collection of songs that walked listeners through her rollercoaster of emotions. As of March 15th, Musgraves is back with her head held high in the triumphantly peaceful Deeper Well.
With 14 stellar songs – all co-produced and co-written by Musgraves alongside Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk (with sporadic support from Tommy English, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and more), the talented singer-songwriter recounts the changes that she has experienced in her life after the age of 27, from love to anxiety to spirituality and beyond. This project touches on some phases of her life that fans watched her journey through. After her rapid rise to mainstream stardom, Musgraves finally finds an artistic and emotional foothold and is slowly learning to love again after her divorce.
Kicking things off, the triple-punch of “Cardinal,” “Deeper Well,” and “Too Good To Be True” are nothing short of sensational and sound like immediate fan favorites. With the previously-released singles “Deeper Well” and “Too Good to be True” touching on love, as well as the trials, tribulations, and fears that come with it, “Cardinal” is a Fleetwood Mac-indebted musing on Kacey’s spirituality, inspired by the passing of her legendary friend John Prine. These songs lead listeners into the record with a persistent sense of calm and represent some of the best Deeper Well has to offer for fans in and out of country music.
Sonically, Deeper Well returns to the optimistic, country-folk sound that listeners heard on Golden Hour, as opposed to the grim, pop-country sound that listeners heard within Star-Crossed shortly afterward. Acoustic guitars and occasional synthesizers add a dreamy, euphoric feel to this album; you almost get the sense that Kacey chose a spring release date by design. The breezy warmth of these songs makes for a cohesive, easily digestible listen, and it’s easy to see how they work together to make a statement.
One of the most musically intriguing tracks here is “Anime Eyes,” diving into the lovey-dovey aspect of Deeper Well. Kacey imagines that being in love is like looking at the world through “anime eyes,” known for being wide and glittery. She utilizes an ecstatic, spoken-word bridge that’s easily unlike anything her fans have heard on a Kacey Musgraves record. It draws some similarities to the “Keep Driving” bridge by Harry Styles, a longtime friend of Musgraves, whom she opened for back in 2018. The 35-year-old rapidly rattles off one eager word after another, creating a joyous build-up that sets this song apart from any of its wistful counterparts.
The album’s closing track, “Nothing to be Scared Of,” ties things together in satisfying fashion. Once again, Kacey touches on her eagerness to be in love while quieting her persistent fears of the unknown (as discussed in the song “Sway”). Hearing this song in the context of her last three albums makes it even more poignant when she insists it’s okay to let your guard down and be vulnerable when it comes to love. Songs like this make Deeper Well feel like a conversation with a friend, helping contribute to the overall authenticity of the album itself. The album’s greatest strength is in its relatability. Though esoteric, astrological musings like “The Architect” and “Jade Green” come off as tedious and hard to connect with, there’s a lot to like on this serene outing. Now more than ever, Kacey Musgraves has found herself, and the results are very impressive.
8.5/10
