Kacey Musgraves is well-regarded as one of the most popular female country artists of the modern-day. With seven Grammys and hits such as “Rainbow” and “justified”, it comes as no surprise that many people eagerly awaited this new release. In an interview with NPR, Musgraves discusses her inspiration behind the album, describing it as an ode to “get[ting] to a deeper place that we all need in order to live, to love, to know ourselves.”
Deeper Well focuses mainly on the country feel that accelerated Musgraves into stardom, with elements of folk, pop, and jazz throughout. The first track, titled “Cardinal” discusses the inevitable losses that one faces in life, but offers a message of hope. In an article from People, Musgraves explains how cardinals began to appear after the death of her mentor, John Prine, showcasing her vision behind the song.
The title track “Deeper Well” illuminates the singer’s affinity toward stripping away negative habits and the importance of self-creation. “Deeper Well” features a soft acoustic melody with bits of synth for an almost space-inspired sound. “Too Good to be True”, the following song, follows a similar theme. Exemplifying relationship struggles, Musgraves sings of vulnerability and the pangs of being in love. “Moving Out” and “Giver/Taker” discuss moving on and being comfortable with oneself after heartbreak.
“Sway” experiments with genre, with Kacey pulling from “Celtic melodies.” “Dinner with Friends” calls attention to a piano, highlighting the subtle tone of Musgraves’ singing. The next piece, “Heart of the Woods” expresses a deep gratitude for the healing properties that come with spending time in nature, blending nicely into my favorite song of the album, “Jade Green.” The smooth flowing guitar with hints of other stringed instruments draws similarities to the style recognizably used by Fleetwood Mac.
“The Architect” uses folk melodies to question the ups and downs of life, while “Lonely Millionaire” in a rather jazz style reminds listeners of the old adage that “money doesn’t buy happiness.” The theme of appreciating the small things in life flows into “Heaven Is.” Deeper Well finishes off with “Anime Eyes” and “Nothing to be Scared Of” which both portray the infatuation and nervousness that come with falling in love with somebody.
Overall, Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well showcases experimentation with genre aside from her usual country roots in an unconventional way. This album clearly showcases the singer’s emotional side, ranging from the topics of lost love to love of the self. Healing is what Musgraves’ new release is all about, and I thoroughly enjoy the vulnerability with which she writes her lyrics. If I were to have one critique, I would say that a few tracks sounded a bit over-produced and took away from the raw charm that came with Musgraves’ earlier albums, but Deeper Well generally sticks to what Kacey does best- communicating her thoughts. If you’re over-emotional like me or just want to relate to someone’s struggles in a musical way, Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves may be the album for you!
