Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour
MCA Nashville
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A native of the small town of Golden, Texas, Kacey Musgraves comes into her own with her recently released seventh studio album Golden Hour, which is an easy, breezy pop country burner. The thirteen tracks on the former Nashville Star contestant’s album range from elegiac ballads to upbeat dancefloor anthems.
Her voice is that of a millennial country singer: it's unblemished and energetic. Even her sad songs sound a bit too happy, which suggests that she hasn't experienced enough of life to give her music the gravitas that country music can have. However, the happiness and genuine quality that most of the songs exude make for a fun, enjoyable album.
The title track "Golden Hour" is one of the best songs on the record. With its clement tone and blissful lyrics, it anchors the album's lighter, poppier fair. "High Horse" has a great dance beat and, despite the dismissive lyrics, the energy of the song is uplifting, as if reinforcing her message of getting rid of a deadweight relationship.
The acoustics of "Velvet Elvis" possess a bit of an ‘80s retro vibe, reminiscent of The Bangles or Bananarama. Each song on the album is nuanced and has a little bit of a different flair, combining to make a rainbow of harmonies. The closing cut is "Rainbow" and it’s the most plaintive sounding of her tunes, but it has an exceedingly positive message. Basically, no matter what you're going through, don't give up hope, there's a rainbow on the horizon.
Musgraves is considered one of the standout voices of modern country and with good reason. Golden Hour is well-crafted and as pleasant as an early sunrise.
Notable Tracks: “Butterflies” | “Golden Hour” | “High Horse”
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