On album five, country-pop titan Kacey Musgraves has set aside the lush, maximalist affair that was ‘Star Crossed’, going back to basics for an intimate, folk-tinged stroll through love, loss and ruminations on life’s purpose.
Its subdued temperament is likely a reaction to its predecessor, with Musgraves intent on showing that she’s still capable of captivating listeners with simple guitar and vocal melodies. Still, given her profile and the success of her recent formula it’s a daring change of direction as she continues to navigate a post-divorce world, finding a new sense of self and belonging.
The title track grounds talk of her Saturn return with details of her life, as she notes “when I turned 27 / everything started to change”.
Eventually, there is acceptance that sometimes people grow apart and that it’s okay to let them go their way.
On the languid Too Good To Be True, Musgraves admits her fear of a partner leaving, but heartbreak certainly isn’t the mood of ‘Deeper Well’ as a whole. Dinner With Friends is a love song about her home state of Texas, while Moving Out’s plucked guitar offers a serene moment of calm.
Throughout, Musgraves taps into moments such as this one. She doesn’t need to concern herself with radio-ready hooks or jumping on the stomp-clap-hey! bandwagon, instead settling into an attitude of tempered grace while asking herself a lot of difficult questions about life. Even without answers, she finds a sense of confidence.
Musgraves has long been one of country’s most interesting voices while also pushing at the genre’s boundaries. ‘Deeper Well’ continues that trajectory — here you will find gentle psychedelia, folk and Americana wrapped in songs that will stick with you longer after the final chords ring out.
Kacey Musgraves Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sun April 28 2024 - DUBLIN 3Olympia Theatre
Mon April 29 2024 - DUBLIN 3Olympia Theatre
Thu May 09 2024 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Fri May 10 2024 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Sat May 11 2024 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Mon May 13 2024 - WOLVERHAMPTON Civic at the Halls
Tue May 14 2024 - LONDON Roundhouse
Wed May 15 2024 - LONDON Roundhouse
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
