I’m not gonna bury the lede on this one: Kacey Musgraves’ newest release is one of the best-sounding albums I’ve heard in a long time.
I mean that literally: the mixing of the vocals and instrumentals on this album is absolutely gorgeous.
This is an album that demands to be listened to on a pair of good headphones.
And appropriately, given the album art, it’s going to be a record that sounds even better listened to on the warmer spring days ahead.
That’s clear from the very first seconds of the opening track, that crackles in with warm, ‘60s guitar tones.
But even as more modern sounds cut in, they lose nothing of the heart and life that fills this album.
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly three years since I wrote my first review for the Press-Republican, which just so happened to be Musgrave’s last album release, 2021’s “Star-Crossed.”
I wrote in that review that I wanted to hear more of the sharp guitar licks of Musgrave’s stellar “Golden Days” album and apparently she read my review because this album delivers on that and more.
The songwriting across the album doesn’t break the mold, but instead fits squarely and comfortably into the singer-songwriter tradition.
They’re the songs that make you not only think about the singer, but peel back the layers of your own heart at the same time.
And it becomes one of those albums that makes you feel like you’re in a private conversation with the singer in the song, just the two of you.
It’s also nice that the songs mostly all fit within a tidy 2 1/2 to 3 minute length, with honestly no track overstaying its welcome.
That’s also not to say that there’s a shortage of strong lyricism through the album.
Where “Star-Crossed” was famously a break-up record written in the wake of Musgraves’ 2020 divorce, “Deeper Well” presents itself as a “new beginnings” record with Musgraves musing on the warm but weary practice of stepping back out into the waters of the world and opening your heart to someone again.
The wordplay through the album paints scenes of those early days of a new romance, when every new memory, new journey, new tradition is fresh and exciting.
But Musgraves is then left to worry that she’ll someday, yet again, have these fond memories soured.
“I can’t help it, I get anxious and every time we part,” Musgraves sings on the track “Jade Green.”
“I say a little prayer to drive away the dark.”
Yet overall, again, this is a deeply optimistic album that celebrates why we seek partnership in the first place: to strengthen each other.
In other words, this was a wonderfully feel-good album.
Of course, I also can’t help but appreciate the track “Anime Eyes,” with its references toward “Sailor Moon”, director Hayao Miyazaki and the sparkling eyes of that animation style.
But the most gorgeous lyrics on the album come from the track “The Architect”, that sees Musgraves wondering, as we all do from time to time, if there’s a plan for all this, all the ups and the downs.
And, if there is, if we could talk to the person making that plan. We’d all certainly have some questions for them.
Was it thought out at all, or just paint on a wall?
Is there anything that you regret?
I don’t understand, are there blueprints or plans?
Can I speak to the architect?
But, again, I can’t say enough good about this album. I’m blown away by the opening note.
Or rather, I wasn’t blown away. This isn’t an album that shakes you. This is a warm blanket album that comforts you on a cold March night.
I give “Deeper Well” 5 starts out of 5.
Have you listened to “Deeper Well”? What did you think? Email Ben Rowe at browe@pressrepublican.com with your thoughts and takeaways.